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.
Suspension, Sep 2, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND SHE HEARD A LOW HOWLING NOISE. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WHERE NOT USE TO DRIVING A SUV. SHE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PINION IN THE REAR END. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING ON DOING A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ARE CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR JOB WAS ABOUT 2000 DOLLARS. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THESE 2005 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THIS NOISE IS A PROBLEM. THEY TOLERATE THIS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS JUST THE VEHICLE. *JB
Suspension, Aug 29, 2005, crash
THIS REPLACES FILE #10134158 WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. SHEARING AT THE CAST IRON KNUCKLE BEHIND THE WHEEL. THERE ARE NO SCUFF MARKS OF ANY KIND ON THE TIRE INDICATING THAT IT WAS A PART FAILURE AS OPPOSED TO IMPACT WITH THE CURB. FORD WAS CONTACTED. AFTER A MEETING WITH THE ZONE REPRESENTATIVE I WAS TOLD IT HAD TO CLEAR LITIGATION PREVENTION BEFORE ENGINEERS COULD LOOK AT IT AFTER 4 WEEKS I WAS TOLD FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN CHECKING IT OUT AND BLAMED THE DRIVER NOT THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED WE ARE DEALING WITH A SAFETY DEFECT. LITIGATION OVER RODE THE SAFETY ENGINEERS AS FAR AS INSPECTING THE DAMAGED PARTS. *JB
Steering, Wheels, Aug 25, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS TRACK AT 20-25 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KNUCKLE BEHIND THE WHEEL BROKE. THE ZONE MANAGER FOR THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DRIVER MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER DID NOT NOTICE ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ZONE MANAGER. *AK
Power train, Aug 16, 2005
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS MAKING A MOANING NOISE WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,00 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT FORD IS "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, MY DEALER TELLS ME MY ONLY RECOURSE IS A $1700 REBUILD OF THE REAR END. IT IS TIME FOR FORD TO ADMIT THAT THE LIGHT ALUMINUM REAR END WAS A POOR DESIGN AND RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT!!! *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel system, Other, Aug 4, 2005
MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON, ON A THREE MONTH OLD 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 2200 MILES. I HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND IF SOMETHING DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW AS THE LIGHT IS PERPETUALLY ON. THE DEALER STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED, I 'VE BEEN WAITING 3 WEEKS ALREADY. THE DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING ON 20 OF THEM FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT MY SITUATION IS THE FIRST THEY'VE HEARD OF IT. THIS CAN'T BE TRUE AS THE DEALER I TOOK MY CAR TO IS WAITING ON THE PART TO FIX 20 EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO FOUND THIS PROBLEM POSTED IN NUMEROUS FORUMS ONLINE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE OR WHETHER OR NOT YOUR ENGINE IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND EXPEDITE THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS BACKORDERED PART. *NM
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 25, 2005
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADJUSTED THE STRIKE PLATE. IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN'T DEFINE THE PROBLEM SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2005
REAR LIFTGATE (GLASS DOOR SECTION) OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. FIRST A WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS "LIFTGAGE AJAR" THEN THE DOOR OPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2005 WITH 3,500 MILES HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES & THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.
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
Fuel system, Other, Jun 28, 2005
PURCHASED NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER AFTER FIRST 100 MILES FUEL GAUGE WENT FALSELY TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE IN MAY 2005 YET THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE UNITS ARE FAILING. WILL REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE MY GAS TANK AND REPLACE UNIT. I BELEIVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE OR I SHOULDHAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 22, 2005
THE TAILPIPE ON THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAD BURNED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER. *JB THE TAILPIPE WAS FOUND TO BE TOO FLEXIBLE. THE DEALERSHIPS FINAL CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 26, 2005
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE ON 2005 FORD EXPLORER, ALSO AM HITTING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TOWARD ANY OBJECT IN FRONT
Power train, May 19, 2005
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS IS LEAKING AT 41,000 MILES. NOTICED THE LIQUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. AFTER I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK AT IT THEY TELL ME IT IS THE AXEL SEALS AND IS 450.00 TO FIX.NOW I LOOK AT 2002 EXPLORER REAR PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND THEY ARE EPIDEMIC IN PERPORTION.
Power train, Apr 25, 2005
THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH I INTENDED TO PASS SLOWER-MOVING VEHICLES BY ACCELERATING. HOWEVER, IT TOOK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-5 SECONDS TO KICK-IN, AND FOR THE EXPLORER TO ATTAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO SAFELY PASS OTHER VEHICLES, EVEN IF THE PEDAL WASFLOORED. THE TIME INTERVAL WAS TOO LONG (OTHER VEHICLE MADE WITH A/T TOOL ONLY 2-3 SECONDS), AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND TO FORD GROUP PHILIS. INC. 4 MONTHS AGO YET BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET FOUND A SOLUTION.*AK
Air bags, Apr 7, 2005
BOTH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION OR ROLLING OVER. BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S EARS WERE STILL RINGING FROM THE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 9, 2005
BACK DOOR LATCH ON MY FORD EXPLORER 2005 HAS COME OPEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *JB
Power train, Jan 27, 2005
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM . *AK