2005 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 568 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 27 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
164 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 16, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH HAS A CRACK IN IT TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP WHICH FORD SHOULD COVER, BUT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS OF IT AT ALL. FURTHER MORE I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AS THE COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL. SHAME ON FORD AND THEIR CHEAP CONSTRUCTION OF MATERIALS. *TR
Structure, Dec 23, 2009
THE LAST WEEK IN NOV. 2009, I HAD BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE, THE FIRST THING I CAN SEE IS THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE TOP HATCHBACK AND THE LIFTGATE. THE CRACK WAS IN THE CENTER TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK WAS THE FULL DISTANCE VERTICALLY OF THE PANEL. IT HAS SINCE WIDENED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT IT WOULD COST ME $430 TO HAVE FIXED. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS INCIDENT WHICH WAS OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR VEHICLE AND FORD WON'T PAY FOR IT NOR DO A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE BEEN VERY OBSERVANT OF OTHER EXPLORERS AND 1 OUT OF 3 EXPLORERS I SEE, HAS THE SAME CRACKED PANEL IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT. SOMETIMES I SEE THE CRACK ON THE LEFT OF THE EMBLEM, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, BUT BASICALLY ITS THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK. *TR
Structure, Dec 10, 2009
THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IS PEELING OFF BIG CHUNKS IN NUMEROUS SPOTS ON THE ROOF. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS PAST MY 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT WAS UP TO ME TO GET FIXED.I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PAINT THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON FORD VEHICLE PAINT. *TR
Structure, Oct 28, 2009
I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS CRACKED. IT'S LIKE IT JUST MAGICALLY APPEARED OVERNIGHT! THE THING IS A TERRIBLE EYESORE, AND I'M SO TIRED OF FORD REFUSING TO REPAIR WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Oct 17, 2009
10/1/09 NOTICED PAINT WAS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. JUDGING BY WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET PLENTY OF FORD OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO FIX IT. PAINT SHOULD NOT FAIL ON BRAND NEW VEHICLES AFTER FOUR YEARS. ONCE AGAIN THE CONSUMER GETS NO SATISFACTION. *TR
Structure, Aug 12, 2009
HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE BACK TAILGATE AREA CRACKED BY THE FORD APPLIQUE. FORD WILL NOT EXTEND ANY GOODWILL REPAIRS AND CLAIMS IT IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON JUST ONE WEBSITE WHERE OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME RESPONSE FROM FORD. THERE WAS NOT DAMAGE OR EVENT TO THE TAILGATE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. JUST OCCURRED ONE VERY HOT DAY WHILE PARKED IN THE HEAT. CONTACTED AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO GET A QUOTE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME AND THEY CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Aug 10, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THERE IS A BONDING ISSUE ON THE ROOF. THE PAINT IS SEPARATING AND LEAVING THE PRIMER ALONE ON THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS IGNORED MY REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK 14 MONTHS AGO AS A CERTIFIED PREOWNED AND BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION 4 MONTHS INTO MY OWNERSHIP. AFTER THE CORPORATE OFFICE IGNORED MY ISSUE, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID "IT ISN'T OUR PROBLEM." *TR
Structure, Aug 6, 2009
THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION IS PEELING OFF BIG CHUNKS IN NUMEROUS SPOTS ON THE ROOF. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS PAST MY 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT WAS UP TO ME TO GET FIXED. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I REPORTED IT. I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR ANYTHING TO BE REPAINTED ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD! *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORD EMBLEM WAS CRACKING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK BEGINS NEAR THE REAR WINDOW AND EXTENDS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,800.
Structure, Jul 20, 2009
2005 FORD EXPLORER PAINT FALLS OFF. *TR
Structure, Jul 21, 2008
PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING OFF ALONG TOP OF ROOF NEAR FRONT AND REAR. FORD SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. THEY SAY I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH EVIDENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT LONGER TO MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Jul 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 63,000 MILES. FORD ONLY COVERS THE PAINT JOB IF THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
Structure, Aug 22, 2006
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE SPRING OF 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE RETURN. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FLOORBOARD AND IN THE GAS PEDAL. I E-MAILED FORD CONCERNING THIS AND THEY SENT ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP APPOX 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. I CONTACTED FORD A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. IN THE MEANTIME THIS VIBRATION GIVES ME BACK AND HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS IN MY FEET AND I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ADVERSE AFFECTS IT HAS ON ME. WHAT MORE CAN I DO? MCLEAN FORD-MERCURY HAVE BEEN GREAT THROUGH OUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. THEY'VE DONE MORE THAN MOST DEALERSHIPS WOULD DO AND HAVE BEEN SUPER. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T SAY THE SAME FOR FORD. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICE. *NM
Structure, Aug 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LIFT GATE AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SECONDS LATER THE LIFT GATE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REALIGNED THE LIFT GATE GLASS STRUT. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEED, THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO LOCK THE DOOR AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A LIFT GATE DUAL LOCK ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V442000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.