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
568 reports, newest first.
Structure, Dec 22, 2011
RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM A CRACK DEVELOPED. IT'S ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH AND RUNS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIBERGLASS PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. THE PANEL KEEPS EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH THE CRACK GOING FROM JUST A SLIGHT LINE TO A 3/16" GAP! DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN IT APPEARED AND FORD SAYS THAT IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOO BAD YOUR WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT! POOR DESIGN THAT FORD SHOULD FIX FOR THE MONEY WE HAVE GIVEN THEM FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Dec 18, 2011
JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR. TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS AND IS NOW SLIPPING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I HAVE FOUND TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FALLING APART. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AND REPLACE WITH A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A TRANSMISSION THAT IS BOUND TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS IS A BLATANT MISSED RECALL. THE TRANS IS MODEL 5R55S. PLEASE RECALL THIS. *TR
Structure, Nov 30, 2011
REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER WINDOW 10 INCH CRACK IN MIDDLE. GLASS LOOSE. *KB
Structure, Nov 23, 2011
DESPITE MY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE IN PERFECT CONDITION, LIKE MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORERS, MINE DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE FORD LOGO ON THE REAR LIFT GATE, RUNNING FROM THE WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. TEMPERATURES HAVE NOT BEEN EXTREME IN OUR AREA, YET THE CRACK APPEARED WITHIN A TIME FRAME OF 5 HOURS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE EXPLORERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 23, 2011
STARTED TO FEEL A LOSS OF POWER AND HEAR KNOCKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE SO TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND I WAS TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN ON A LOT OF THE NEW FORDS HAVE BEEN GOING BAD. NO WARNING, NO WARNING. IT IS RECOMMENDED BY EVERYONE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR
Power train, Nov 21, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN IT ROLLED FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Structure, Nov 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC TRIM OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Visibility, Nov 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND THE BLENDING CHAMBER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS UPDATED 7/10/13 *CN
Power train, Nov 16, 2011
WE BOUGHT OUR EXPLORER NEW JULY 4TH 2005, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS THE WORST. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKS DONE ON TIME AT 40,000 AND 60,000 MILES. I TOLD THEM TWICE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RIGHT IT WAS SLIPPING. NOW THAT I FINALLY PAID THEM $200.00 FOR THEIR TEST IT SHOWS THE BANDS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK AND IT WILL BE $3900.00 FOR A REBULIT ONE. I HAVE CHECKED OUT THE LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THERE TRANSMISSIONS,SO WHERE IS THE RECALL,COME ON WE CAN'T ALL BE WRONG. LOOKING FOR HELP IN THESE HARD TIMES,BEING DISABLED AND WIFE ABOUT TO RETIRE THIS PRICE IS ABSURD,BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. BOUGHT LAST TWO CARS FROM FORD ,DON'T THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT. *TR
Visibility, Nov 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE HATCH PANEL FRACTURED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA VOICEMAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Oct 29, 2011
TOOK OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER TO SERVICE DEPT. BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED-PREVIOUSLY ALEXANDER FORD, NOW FORD OF MURFREESBORO. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING PERIODICALLY AT THE TIME. THEY DROVE IT & SAID NOTHING WAS NOTICEABLE. I INDICATED TO THEM THAT IT SLIPPED MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE EVERY MONTH OR SO. NOW VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED ON ME. I HAD A CAR IN FRONT OF ME & WHEN IT FINALLY LET UP, I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME-WITH A BABY IN A CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION KICKED IN, I SUFFERED WHIPLASH. IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. THERE APPEAR TO BE SO MANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 EXPLORERS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR A RECALL. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED MY VEHICLE OUT MORE EXTENSIVELY RATHER THAN BARELY DRIVE IT FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I COULD HAVE INJURED A CHILD & I DID INJURE MYSELF. *TR
Wheels, Oct 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING RIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE LUG NUTS ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SOME OF THE LUG NUTS WERE ALSO SHEERED OFF FROM ALL OF THE OTHER WHEELS. ALL OF THE LUG NUTS AND THE LUG NUT STUDS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LUG NUTS OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SHEERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2011
CRACKED REAR DOOR PANEL JUST BELOW THE WINDOW, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. MAY CAUSE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO RECALL AND FIX IT. *TR
Power train, Oct 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION OR THE VEHICLE BEING ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO BE STOP THE VEHICLE, GET INTO IT AND APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CORRECTION TO BE MADE OR RECALL RELATED TO THE VIN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Seats, Oct 22, 2011
THE ACTIVHEAT HEATED CAR SEAT COVER MODEL # 6HCSCBL24 WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE SEAT COVER COULD OVERHEAT AND BURN ME. ON AUGUST 12, 2011 I MAILED IN MY REQUEST FOR A NEW SEAT COVER ALONG WITH A 3" X 5" SECTION OF THE FRONT MESH FABRIC OF THE SEAT COVER TO ACTIVHEAT SEAT RECALL, C/O ATLAS NORTH, PO BOX 873, WOODBURY, NJ 08096. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT I WOULD RECEIVE THE NEW SEAT COVER IN 30 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN OVER 60 DAYS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT COVER. I HAVE CALLED 800-541-3722 TWICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE ANSWERING SERVICE HAS TAKEN MY NAME AND PHONE # AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. PLEASE HELP ME OBTAIN THE NEW SEAT COVER.
Structure, Oct 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
Structure, Oct 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. AS A RESULT, THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 12/06/11*LJ UPDATED 12/12/11
Power train, Oct 11, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE OCCURRED SWITCHING SUDDENLY FROM DRIVINIG TO NEUTRAL, GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED UNLESS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN. SCARY SITUATION CONSIDERING THAT I COULD BE DRIVING ON THE LEFT LANE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A SAFETY COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR SAFETY RECALL. *KB
Steering, Oct 9, 2011
I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2005. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH HAD ROUGHLY 49,000 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME, INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IN DOING SO, THE GEARSHIFT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEARSHIFT IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART AND THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED SHE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE, IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE COST FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND ASSOCIATED LABOR WOULD BE MORE THAN $1,600. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A USED STEERING COLUMN FROM A JUNKYARD WOULD COST MUCH LESS, BUT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL EARLY MONDAY MORNING. ON MONDAY MORNING, I WAS INFORMED BY KRF SOUTH THAT THEY COULD OBTAIN A USED STEERING COLUMN AND THE TOTAL COSTS FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $620. I CHOSE TO HAVE THE USED USED STEERING COLUMN INSTALLED DUE TO THE PRICE DIFFERENTIAL. SIMPLY PUT, A GEARSHIFT SHOULD NOT BREAK OFF FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH NORMAL VEHICLE USE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AFTER THE GEARSHIFT BROKE AWAY. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I COULD GET ASSISTANCE. NOW I HAVE A REPLACED STEERING COLUMN, WITH THE EVERLASTING THOUGHT THAT THE GEARSHIFT COULD BREAK OFF AT ANY POINT IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE A WIFE AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM HESITANT ABOUT HER USING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THIS MAY VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Oct 7, 2011
VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LIKE 1 FOOT LONG AND 3/16 WIDE CLOSE TO THE FORD LOGO. *TR
Power train, Oct 6, 2011
WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES THERE IS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY. IT IS ALSO SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AT TIMES. MORE FREQUENT AS TIME GOES ON. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FROM TSB 05-15-4 CAUSING BY THE FORD FACTORY FAILING TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. I'M NOW LOOKING AT A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Oct 6, 2011
HTTPS://AIAHD.TELESISHQ.COM/MRCGI/MRSPELLCHECK.PL
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2011
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. THE ENGINE ALSO HAS A HUM SOUND WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. *TR
Air bags, Sep 27, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, BY AMBULANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2011
THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 25 MPH TO 55 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING AT THESE HIGHER SPEEDS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN CLOSE TRAFFIC. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP THE CAR RESTARTS EASILY. THIS STALLING OCCURS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FACTOR. WEATHER IN ALL CASES WAS DRY AND WARM. THE STALLING HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES ,WEEKS AND MONTHS APART. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR BUT CANNOT FIND A COMPUTER CODE PROBLEM, THEY ALSO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM THUS THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. A WEB SEARCH DIVULGES THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM TO FORD FOR THE 2002,2004 AND 2005 EXPLORER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED! *TR