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.
Wheels, May 6, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE THE TIRE WAS FLAT, SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THE TIRE BEING TIGHTENED BEYOND ITS CAPACITY BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Vehicle speed control, May 5, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ON THE THIRD INSTANCE OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
Electrical system, May 2, 2011
DASHBOARD - WARNING LIGHT FOR OIL CHANGE REQUIRED WILL NOT GO OFF - HAD OIL CHANGE 500 MILES AGO - NOT DUE FOR 2 MORE MONTHS - WILL NOT RESET. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD OIL GAUGE SENSOR. *TR
Fuel system, Other, May 2, 2011
2005 FORD EXPLORER - EVERYTIME I FILL THE GAS TANK FULL - THE FUEL GAUGE STICKS AND GOES DOWN TO EMPTY. *TR
Structure, Apr 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR WAS FRACTURED WHERE THE WINDOW ENDED AND WHERE THE MANUFACTURING SYMBOL WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 12, 2011
"CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT ILLUMINATES IN '00-'05 FORD EXPLORERS. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE OCCURRING, AND IT IS THE RESULT OF EMISSION FAILURE PARTS IN THESE VEHICLES. EACH INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS IS COSTING OWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS, AND IS CLEARLY A DEFAULT OF THE COMPANY. ALMOST EVERY REPORT HAS SHOWN TROUBLE CODES OF P0455 OR P0457, OR BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY. YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS THREAD AND OTHERS AT HTTP://EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=244624 TO SEE NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS SAME ISSUE IN MULTIPLE FORD EXPLORERS. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED RIGHT AWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AS WELL. AFTER FORD REPLACED MY FUEL CAP AND SAID THIS WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE, MY "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT ILLUMINATED A WEEK LATER AGAIN. FORD THEN INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AGAIN AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT CAME ON YET AGAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE CHARGING ME OVER $1,000 IN REPAIRS INCLUDING A $108 DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY VEHICLE FOR CODES P1000 AND P0457. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO CONTINUOUSLY BRING MY VEHICLE TO FORD FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE TAKEN IT TO THEM, AND THEY STILL CANNOT GUARANTEE ME THIS IS THE PROBLEM. FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE LAUNCHED, AND FOR FORD TO RECALL THEIR EXPLORERS AND FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE WATERTOWN FORD IN WATERTOWN, MA. *TR
Structure, Mar 26, 2011
MY 2005 REAR PANEL UNDERNEATH WINDOW CRACKED BY THE EMBLEM. *TR
Structure, Equipment, Mar 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR PANEL OF THE REAR WINDOW. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER BLEND DOOR WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW AIR TO PASS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure, Mar 15, 2011
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I PULLED OUT FROM AN INTERSECTION AND HAD NOT REACHED THE SPEED LIMIT YET WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THEN CAUSING BOTH STRUTS TO THE HATCH TO EXTEND AND THEREFORE BREAK THE ENTIRE FRAMEWORK OF THE REAR HATCH. THIS WINDOW WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO PRIOR CRACKS IN IT AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ANY AROUND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD HAS TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS AND I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR
Structure, Mar 14, 2011
THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO AND AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 3, 2011
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE 76,306 MILES ON MY EXPLORER. I NOTICED A GAS SMELL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. DEALER FOUND A GAS LEAK WHERE THE FILLER HOSE ATTACHES TO THE GAS TANK. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS PART OF THE GAS TANK HAD MANY CRACKS/FRACTURES THAT ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK OUT. THE ONLY REPAIR OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK AT A COST TO ME OF $2,009.00. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE GAS TANK HOLDS 22.5 GALLONS OF FUEL THAT COULD FLOW ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IF THE PLASTIC FILLER PIECE FAILED COMPLETELY. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 1, 2011
THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRESSFUL ON A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A HEART CONDITION WHO'S HEART IS FUNCTIONING AT 60% AND ON MEDICATION EVERYDAY. UPPER BACK HATCH HAS FACTORY DEFECT CRACK NEXT TO THE LOCK, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS BEEN UNLOCKING ITSELF AT RANDOM, WHILE SITTING STILL OR DRIVING. NO INJURIES, MUGGINGS ,THEFT,KIDNAPPING OF GRANDCHILDREN AND/ OR ESCAPE OR THEFT OF FOUR CHILDREN YET!!!. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA MONIES TO FIX..IT IS FORDS FACTORY DEFECT THAT I SEE ON EXPLORERS EVERYWHERE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM , AND THEY STILL CLAIM NO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2011
REPEATED FAILURE OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION MODEL 5R55S. 3 TOTAL FAILURES REQUIRING COMPLETE OVERHAUL IN 3 YEARS. REPAIRS PERFORMED BY SAME QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT AND FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED REPAIR ALTERNATIVE FACILITY. FORD WOULDN'T PROVIDE A WARRANTY AT 90,000 MILE FIRST FAILURE. MOST RECENT REPAIR 2/24/2011 AND 3RD COSTING $2500. MILEAGE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD REPAIRS-38,000 MILES. PRESENT MILEAGE 130,000 ON VEHICLE. CHASSIS MILEAGE IS HIGH BUT 3 FAILURES IN 3 YEARS ON LOW MILEAGE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN OVERHAULS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR
Tires, Feb 24, 2011
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER CAME WITH METAL VALVE CAPS ON THE TIRES, WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WITH A LOW PRESSURE SIGNAL ON, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE CAPS WERE FROZEN ONTO THE STEMS, AND IF HE TRIED TO TAKE OFF THE CAPS, THEY WOULD SNAP THE SENSORS IN THE TIRES, AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600. TO REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS. I RESPONDED THAT IT WOULD COST $600. TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES BECAUSE OF A DESIGN DEFECT? THE RESPONSE WAS YES. MY POINT, IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO CORRECT A MFR'S DESIGN ERROR, YOU ARE RIDING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES, CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2011
TODAY, I STARTED OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER TO DRIVE MY TWO CHILDREN TO THE BUS STOP. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT ON OUT OF THE BLUE. I'VE HAD MANY CARS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST FORD AND SINCE AUGUST WE'VE PUT IN AN ALTERNATOR, NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT. OUR PRIOR SUV WAS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT ANY OF THESE REPAIRS INTO IT. *TR
Steering, Feb 24, 2011
STARTED EXPLORER TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR $1500. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS AT ALL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 19, 2011
GAS HAND DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, SOMETIMES YOU MAY FILL THE VEHICLE UP AND THE GAS HAND WILL SHOW EMPTY. SINCE THE GAS HAND STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON. NO WAY OF KNOWING IF I'M ALMOST OUT OF GAS..SO I HAVE TO KEEP FILLING IT UP SO I WON'T BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Feb 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHSTA HOTLINE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 15, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE IT SPRAYED BACK OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PEOPLE ATTEMPTED TO FUEL THE VEHICLE AND THEY BOTH EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADD FUEL TO HER VEHICLE AND SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,806.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 11, 2011
2005 FORD EXPLORER AND EVERY TIME WE FILL THE TANK WITH GAS THE GAUGE STOPS WORKING UNTIL IT REACHES HALF A TANK THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT IT DROPS TO ALMOST EMPTY. SO WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE AMOUNT OF GAS WE HAVE IT. BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 9, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND 20 MILES LATER MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, THE REPAIR SHOP STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS? I SURE HOPE I AM NOT LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Feb 9, 2011
PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF (OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) IN THE GROOVES OF THE ROOF. ALSO, THE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE. *TR
Wheels, Feb 9, 2011
NOTICED A GRINDING OR HUMMING NOISE IN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. TURNS OUT I NEEDED BOTH LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AND THE RIGHT REAR IS ALSO GOING BAD ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. NOW A MONTH LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM W FORD EXPLORERS AND PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE WHEELS SEIZE ON THEM, SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE. *TR
Structure, Feb 2, 2011
NOTICED THE BACK PANEL OF MY 05 EXPLORER WAS DEEPLY CRACKED. DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT OF MANY EXPLORERS. I DON'T HAVE TO MONEY TO FIX IT AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SINCE I DID NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Power train, Jan 31, 2011
2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILING WITH MILEAGE OF 65K MILES! WAS TOLD BY FORD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3500 PLUS TAX TO FIX. CALLED FMC AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS BY FMC MAIN OFFICE OR DEALERSHIP; DISMISSED NOTION OF ANY VALIDITY TO COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP ONLINE; WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY MAKE NOTE OF IT IN THEIR SYSTEM AND THAT WAS IT! SO FAR NOTHING SERIOUS HAS HAPPENED, BUT APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE HOME FROM A FUNERAL OUT OF TOWN. *TR