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: vehicle speed control
48 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Oct 15, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE SCDS DEACTIVATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND SHE RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,550. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RESUME AFTER THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO REDUCE THE SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE SYSTEM WOULD WORK PROPERLY. UPDATED 11/04/09
Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2009
THIS MORNING, AS I WAS IN MOTION OF (64MPH). MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON ON WHEEL TO DISENGAGE. MY TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, THE GAS PEDAL FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS NOT ON- IT DID NOTHING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PUSH AND WOULD NOT BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP, THE DASH LIGHTS DIMMED VERY LOW. AFTER WRESTLING WITH THESE OBSTACLES, I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED ENG. OFF, THEN BACK ON AND I HAVEN'T TRIED THE CRUISE SINCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2009, fire
CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF OUT IN FRONT OF GARAGE, ALL DOORS LOCKED. APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WE NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE OUTSIDE. FIRE WAS COMING FROM INSIDE ENGINE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP, PUT OUT FIRE AND KICKED IN THE WINDOWS. DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AND LIFE-THREATENING; LARGE FIRE ALMOST CAUGHT THE ENTIRE APARTMENT BUILDING ON FIRE. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT THIS SEEMED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND NOT ARSON DUE TO THE WAY THE FIRE CAME FROM THE ENGINE, ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS OF THE CAR WERE CLOSED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF BREAK-IN. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL FOR SCDS THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION FORD MADE ON SUVS AND PICKUPS 1998-2002 BUT THIS OCCURRED ON A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. PLEASE HELP! PEOPLE ALMOST DIED DUE TO THIS TERRIBLE HAZARD FORD HAS NOT FIXED. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2009
05 FORD EXPLORER HAS REPEATED (ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL) LIGHT WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE, WHILE MOVING, LOSES POWER AND THEN STALLS. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO RESET AND THE VEHICLE THEN RUNS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON (2) OCCASIONS AND NOW FEEL THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE SAFE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2008
MY GAS PEDAL IS STICKING. I INITIALLY THOUGHT MY BRAKES WERE GOING. I JUST HAD MY REAR BRAKES REPLACED AND MY CAR PASSED INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD I'D NEED NEW FRONT BRAKES IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. THREE TIMES, I'VE HAD THE GAS PEDAL STICK. WHEN I TRY TO APPLY BRAKES, IT BARELY SLOWS DOWN THE CAR AND THE MOTOR GETS REALLY LOUD. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2008
MY ACCELERATOR ON A 2005 FORD EXPLORER STUCK AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 1, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A CURB AND INTO A SCAFFOLD, WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE WINDSHIELD, HOOD, ROOF, FENDER, FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT, AND PASSENGER'S SUN VISOR ALL SUSTAINED OVER $5,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT WANT THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE SHE IS AFRAID. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 15, 2008
WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT, 4X4 (4.0 L, 6-CYL, ADVANCE TRAC WITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL) VEHICLE , THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 48 MPH. LESS THAN 5 SECONDS LATER, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 48 MPH AND 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT-OFF. FORD CAR/TRUCK DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS THE FORD CAR/TRUCK DEALER WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED THAT ENGINE FAILURE HAD ALSO OCCURRED FIVE SEPARATE TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Sep 6, 2007
2005 EXPLORER WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR SHUTTING OFF AND PASSING GEARS ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE JERKED INTO PASSING GEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 18, 2007
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND ALL POWERWAS LOST. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE ONLY IF I CAE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN VEHICLE RE-STARTED AND ACTED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED SOMETIMES 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY OR NOT FOR A MONTH. I WAS TOLD BY MY FORD DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DESPITE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AND HOOKING UP THE COMPUTER TO IT. THE LAST ADVICE I RECEIVED FROM FORD WAS TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED IN WHEN STOPPAGE OCCURS. THATWAS NOT THAT EASY WHEN YOU NEED THE VEHICLE TO GET YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION OR YOU WERE STUCK IN A BAD AREA. THIS OCCURRED 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. ALSO, I HAVE A NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGESD WHEN THE BRAKEWA S APPLIED AS IF THE GAS HAD BEEN APPLIED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATES AT RANDOM AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING INTO THE SERVICE BAY AT 5 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 23, 2007
FORD EXPLORER WITH A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR/BRAKE PEDAL CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ACTS LIKE THE GAS PEDAL SOMETIMES**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE SURGE ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. 4/23/07 *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Mar 20, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 30500 FAILURE MILEAGE ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2007
OUR VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AND COASTING WITH THE COAST BUTTON DOWN TO 30 MPH THE CAR SHUTS OFF. WE JUST HAD THE CAR CHECKED AT COURTESY FORD IN PORTLAND OREGON AND WERE TOLD THAT EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SERVICE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE OUR CAR SHUTTING OFF WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN COASTING TO 30 MPH. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ALL SYSTEMS CHECKED OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH OUR CAR. COURTESY FORD WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM IN 3 OTHER NEWER MODEL EXPLORERS, BUT TODAY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM IN 2 OTHER 2005 EXPLORERS.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SPEED SET AT 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATES ITSELF WITH NO INTERACTION FROM THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED 3 TIMES WHILE IN USE. IN FEBRUARY 2006, AFTER SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED IT TOOK 3 TO 5 MINUTES TO TURN IT BACK ON. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. IN MARCH 2006, IT DEACTIVATED ONCE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2006
SPEED CONTROL ON 2005 FORD EXPLORED WILL ACCELERATE WHEN COAST BUTTON PUSHED. CAN BE TURNED ON BY PRESSING OFF BUTTON. OPERATES OK FOR SOME OF THE TIME AND IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN WILL MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY ONLY TAP BRAKE WILL TURN OFF SPEED CONTROL. OFF BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. WILL ACCELERATE AFTER SPEED CONTROL OFF SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY SPEED CONTROL. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Oct 20, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE OF 3-5 SECONDS BEFORE ONE FEELS ANY ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THIS AFTER HE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 8-05. HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY AGREED WITH HIM. THEY TEST DROVE ANOTHER 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND IT DID THE SAME THING. THE DEALER CALLED FORD, AND FORD SAID THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS, AND THEY ALLOWED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT BEFORE IT ACCELERATED. THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THIS. IT HAPPENED WHETHER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON OR OFF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED.*AK *NM
Vehicle speed control, Sep 24, 2005, crash
WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A LARGE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED CAUSING IT TO RUN INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (MINOR) ALSO RIPPING OFF THE RUNNING BOARD AFTER RUNNING OVER A LARGE LOG. THIS CAR HAS ALSO FAILED TO START AT TIMES AND ONCE THE ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2005
HIT BRAKES AND ENGINE ACCELERATES. THE CAUSE IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TO CLOSE TOGETHER AND SAME DISTANCE FROM FLOORBOARD. I WEAR A SIZE 14 SHOE AND WHEN I NORMALLY HIT BRAKE, MY HEEL STAYS IN PLACE AND MY FOOT ALSO COVERS THE GAS WHEN I PRESS REAL HARD. I OWN OTHER VEHICLES AND THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2005
CAR RPMS INCREASED WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2005, crash
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM