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.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2009
2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION: STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW CONSTANT. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF FULL, AFTER WHICH THE GAUGE WORKS PROPERLY. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. A SCAN OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NO PROGRAM IN PLACE TO FIX IT. SINCE THE GAUGE IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON, THAT LIGHT CANNOT ALERT ME TO OTHER POTENTIAL FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $500+. *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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 24, 2009
2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION: STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW CONSTANT. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF FULL, AFTER WHICH THE GAUGE WORKS PROPERLY. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. A SCAN OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NO PROGRAM IN PLACE TO FIX IT. SINCE THE GAUGE IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON, THAT LIGHT CANNOT ALERT ME TO OTHER POTENTIAL FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $500. *TR
Structure, Jul 20, 2009
2005 FORD EXPLORER PAINT FALLS OFF. *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
Power train, May 29, 2009
MY VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. THERE ARE SEVERAL CLICKS AND MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THIS OCCURS ALL ALMOST EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 12K MILES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR
Electrical system, May 25, 2009
ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE PAST THREE WEEKS, MY CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER. ON TWO OF THESE OCCASIONS, I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN IN THE ROAD AND ON THE THIRD TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY. EACH TIME I WAS DOING LESS THAN 40 MPH. ONLY ONE TIME WAS ANYONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS STILL VERY SCARY AND VERY UPSETTING, CONSIDERING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS. I AM JUST AFRAID THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM GOING FASTER OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. *TR
Steering, May 25, 2009
WHILE DRIVING FOR THE ORGANIZATION MEALS ON WHEELS, I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND THE STEERING OR GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR INTO GEAR AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK WHICH TOWED THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I AM WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE FROM THE SERVICE CENTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2009
MARCH 08 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN. I CALL FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT A PART IN THE MOTOR HAD MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR. AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. I THEN CALL FORD AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I WAS STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WAS NOT PAID FOR AND I STILL OWED FOR. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IS TRUCK UNTIL THIS HAPPEN. *TR
Air bags, May 16, 2009, crash
WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON HWY 98 IN FLORIDA WHEN THE VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES TO STOP AT THE YELLOW LIGHT, MY REACTION TIME WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP IN TIME TO NOT HIT HIM. I HIT THE BACK OF THE WORK VAN GOING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED AND THE INERTIA REEL NEVER LOCKED IN. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE SOLID IMPACT. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP ON TUESDAY TO HAVE EVERYTHING LOOKED AT AND FIXED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 14, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WHEN YOU PUT GAS IN IT AT A GAS PUMP IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND SPITTING FUEL BACK OUT OF THE FUEL NECK ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE BEEN SEEING OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING. THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE HAVING GASOLINE SPRAY ALL OVER THE GROUND IN A CROWDED GAS STATION. NOT TO MENTION HAVE TO TAKE 15 - 20 MINUTES TO FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP. THANKS, JAMIE A. JONES *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 13, 2009
WHEN YOU FILL THE TANK THE FUEL GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL YOU HAVE ABOUT HALF A TANK. FORD SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF ABOUT $1,100.00. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL - WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? *TR
Power train, May 5, 2009
TRANSMISSION LEVER DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EVENTUALLY, IT DID RELEASE, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE THE LEVER IS FULLY "SEATED" INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2009
2007 FORD EXPLORER WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WE TESTED IT ON THE TOW TRUCK AND IT STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER TOWING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT FINALLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. *TR
Tires, May 1, 2009
BULGE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 14, 2009
FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO, I HAVE DEALT WITH A "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT THAT CONSISTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER I TRY TO PUMP GAS, IT USUALLY COMES SPEWING OUT. NOW IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT WHENEVER I DO TRY AND PUMP GAS, IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN ABOUT 10 CENTS AT A TIME BEFORE THE LATCH MAKES ME STOP. I GET VERY NERVOUS AFTER PUMPING MY GAS, KNOWING THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR HAS GASOLINE SPILT ALL OVER IT. WHAT IF I WAS TO DRIVE BEHIND SOMEBODY THAT THROWS A CIGARETTE OUT AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT IT TOUCHS THE GASOLINE ON THE SIDE OF MY CAR? IN ORDER TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, I TOOK IT TO D&D COLLISION, AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY SAID IT IS THE EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTERS THAT ARE CAUSING THIS REACTION FOR THE GAS TO COME BACK OUT OF THE GAS TANK. IT JUST SO HAPPENS, THAT USUALLY MOST CARS ONLY HAVE ONE CANISTER, BUT MINE HAS TWO. THE TOTAL COST TO FIX IS APPROXIMATELY $500 AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY SAID ONCE THEY CHANGE THE CANISTERS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IF THEIR ARE MORE PROBLEMS. THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ABOUT 95% CORRECT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID THERE IS ABOUT A 5% CHANCE THAT THEIR COULD MORE TO THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD WITH GASOLINE ALL OVER THE LEFT SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT, OR ANYTHING, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS RANDOMLY CAME FROM. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON MY SPORTS TRAC EXPLORER AND IT JUST SEEMS THAT ALL TOGETHER, THE CAR WAS PUT TOGETHER IN POORLY CONDITION. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Apr 1, 2009
EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE:PASSENGER STRETCHING THEIR LEGS FAILURE: PASSENGER BUMPED A SENSOR SWITCH THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT THE FUEL OFF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT,THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND ONCE IN RESIDENTIAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF THE FIRST TIME ,I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED THIS COULD BE FATAL ON A BUSY ROAD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 24, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT COMING ON, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THEN THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. IN DECEMBER 2008 THE CAR JUST STOPPED TAKING FUEL, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS FULL. IT WOULD TAKE ME A HALF HOUR TO FILL THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER, THEY SAID THEY CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS IN AND AROUND THE FUEL TANK, I PAID A BILL OF $370. THE NEXT TIME I FILLED IT WITH GAS, IT DID THE SAME EXACT THING AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY PUT A NEW FILLER NECK ON IT AND CHARGED ME $260. IT WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN IN FEBRUARY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN! I DID NOT WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IN IT, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF THAT, IT FIXED ITSELF. NOW, THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT IS ON AGAIN, AND ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, I PURCHASED IT NEW AND IT HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WAS HAVING THIS TROUBLE PUTTING THE GAS IN IT BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF GAS IN IT....EXCUSE ME, YOU CAN BET HE WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT TO MY HUSBAND IF HE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE! *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
Equipment, Feb 25, 2009
I RECENTLY WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK, AND WHEN I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE GEAR SHIFTER IS DIDN'T WANT TO GO INTO REVERSE SO I TRIED AGAIN AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE CASING OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT FILLS THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE SPRAYS OUT OF THE TANK. THE FUEL NOZZLE STOPS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS NOT FULL. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, AND POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,500.
Suspension, Feb 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TWO FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AND, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $600. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 120,000.
Power train, Feb 16, 2009
DRIVING HOME AFTER WORK ALL OF THE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION OVER HEAT ALARM COMES ON, THEN WHITE SMOKE OUT THE BACK ON MY TRUCK. 2005 FORD EXPLODER XL MODEL I STOPPED WAITING A WHILE AND THEN WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND YES THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. AT 140000 K. NOT THE BAD PART IS THAT THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION I HAVE PUT IN THIS TRUCK. THE FIRST ONE WAS AT 75K JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, MY DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST ONE SAID POINT BLACK" TAKE IT TO A 3RD PARTY TRANSMISSION PLACE AS WE WOULD CHARGE YOU TOO MUCH, SO THERE YOU HAVE IT 2005 TRUCK AND I AM ON MY 3RD TRANNY. CAN NOT SELL AS WILL ONLY GET 60 % OF WHAT I OWE! NOW I ONLY DRIVE AROUND HOME NOT TO WORK SO MUCH FOR BUILT FORD TOUGH, DRIVING MY NEW KIA TO WORK JUST SAD! *TR
Visibility, Feb 9, 2009
THE REAR WINDSHIELD IMPLODED ,AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS WERE FOUND . IT WAS REPLACED. *TR