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, Nov 24, 2015
DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLIES AND SENSORS. RANDOMLY ENGINE GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, AND DURING TURNS. INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOW GOING HAYWIRE. MESSAGE CENTER REPORTS LOW OIL PRESSURE, CHECK CHARGING SYSTEMS, TIRE SENSOR FAILURE FAULT, CHANGE OIL SOON, AND OIL IS FINE. BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. TIRE SENSORS, ALTERNATOR...ALL FINE. IT'S ALL I HAVE AND I MUST DRIVE IT TO WORK EACH DAY! BOUGHT USED IN NOVEMBER 2013. HAD 69K MILES AT PURCHASE. NOW HAS 103K MILES. IT DOESN'T FEEL SAFE :O( PLEASE HELP!
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YESTERDAY 10/22/2015 THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED OUT OF THE TRUCK TAKING THE SUPPORT UNDER IT WITH IT.INWAS DRIVING IN THE CITY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 25 MPH
Power train, Oct 7, 2015
TRANSMISSION GRINDS/SLIPS GOING FROM 2 TO 3 GEAR.
Structure, Sep 11, 2015
CRACK IN REAR HATCH PLATE BY FORD EMBLEM
Vehicle speed control, Sep 6, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD TIME ACCELERATING, WHEN IT DOES, A "CLUCK" SOUND CAN BE HEARD, SOMETIMES ACCELERATION FAILS ALL TOGETHER. O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND BLINKS. CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2015
I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, RETURNING FROM THE SUPERMARKET IN THE 2005 EXPLORER IN A 90 DEGREE DAY. I OPENED THE TOP OF MY LIFT GATE AND STUCK MY HEAD IN TO GRAB MY BAGS WHEN THE RIGHT HINGE ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW DEHISCED AND THE LIFT GATE CAME DOWN ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD. THE TORQUE WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE LEFT HINGE AND IT BENT , SHATTERING THE GLASS OF THE REAR WINDOW ALL OVER AND BREAKING THE BOTTOM DOOR FRAME IN 1/2. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE AS WHAT IS LEFT IS HANGING BY THIN HYDRAULIC ATTACHMENT AND COULD DROP AT ANY MOMENT.
Power train, Wheels, Aug 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH MAKING A TURN, THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF. IN ADDITION, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND RESTARTED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2015
THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS HAPPEND DURING HIGHWAY HIGH SPEED DRIVING. IT HAPPENS ON CARS BUILT 11/24/04 AND PRIOR. THE CODES ARE P2106 AND P2135. IT'S CAUSED BY A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND REQUIRES A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RESET B36.11, B37.2 OR HIGHER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAR FORD READILY ACKOWLEDGES. THEY HAVE UGRADED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TWICE WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THERE WAS A FRONT PASSENGER RIDING OCCUPYING THE SEAT AND THE PASSENGER LEG TOUCHED THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Aug 10, 2015
2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING COLUMN GEAR SHIFTER PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON DECEMBER 10, 2010 THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME. *JB
Structure, Jul 24, 2015
CRACK ON BACK PANEL FROM WINDOW DOWN AROUND FORD EMBLEM LITERALLY JUST APPEARED ONE DAY. MY EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2005 AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THIS MYSTERY CRACK THAT I AM NOW NOTICING ON A LOT OF EXPLORERS AROUND THE SAME AGE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT! WHEN IS FORD GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS?....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF
Structure, Jul 23, 2015
THE REAR LIFT WINDOW STARTED CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE OPEN BUTTON STOPPED ACTIVATING.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2015
THIS VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY JUST CUTS OFF. WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT COSTLY REPAIRS AND THE TRUCK STILL DOES NOT RUN RIGHT, IT IS STILL CUTTING OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME ANYWHERE, EVEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND ALL THEY DID WAS OPEN A CASE FILE BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2014 AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH IT WAS THAT IT NEEDED THE ROTORS TURNED ON THE BRAKES WHICH WE HAVE DONE. THEN IT STARTED DOING THIS. WE HAVE HAD IT TOWED 6 TIMES IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. 3 MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE TRUCK WITH NO LUCK. WE ARE TAPPED OUT TRYING TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I FEEL SURE THE GUY WHO SOLD IT TO US KNEW THE TRUCK WAS DOING THIS BUT OPTED NOT TO TELL US. ALSO I BLAME FORD FOR THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, EVEN THEIR TECHNICIAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Structure, Jun 25, 2015
WALKED OUT TO MY GARAGE AND NOTICED A CRACKED HAD SHOWED UP OVERNIGHT. IT GOES FROM THE BACK EINDOW, BY THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE FORD LOGO, TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. IT IS ALMOST PERFECTLY VERTICAL, I HAVE SEEN A TON OF THESE ON XLTS. I THOUGHT I WAS LUCKY, I WAS WRONG.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 25, 2015
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, SUDDENLY THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FAIL SAFE LIGHT CAME UP. VEHICLE WOULD BARELY RUN. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND IT SEEMED FINE FOR A WHILE. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, DRIVING NORMAL, THEN BAM. THIS TIME IT SHUT DOWN AND WOULD BARELY STAY RUNNING...JUST ORDERED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER FORD.
Structure, Jun 7, 2015
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS MULTIPLE PAINT PROBLEMS PEELING ALL OVER THE CAR,,THE DEALER SAID ITS ANY AFTER MARKET PAINT JOB I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM DAVE SMITH FORD IN 2008 THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY REPAINTED WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF THE CARS LIFE.
Structure, May 12, 2015
I HAVE A CRACKED TAILGATE THAT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME CRACK ON NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER'S 2002-2005. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH THIS PROBLEM.THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THE DOOR WAS CLOSED TO HARD, THAT IS NOT THE CASE UNTIL I KEPT SEEING THE SAME CRACK ON EVERY FORD EXPLORER 2002-2005 THEN A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TAILGATE, THAT MAKES IT EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ON OUR VEHICLE, WE WORRY THE GLASS COULD SHATTER WHILE CONTINUING TO CLOSE IT AS I HAVE READ WITH SOME OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, May 8, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORT EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH DURING A STORM, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MINOR PAIN IN VARIOUS AREAS OF HIS BODY, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Visibility, Apr 23, 2015
THE WINDOW WILL GO DOWN BUT IT WONT GO UP ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2015
IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO FROM FULL( WHEN THE TANK IS FULL)TO EMPTY THEN THE LOW FUEL ALERT CONTINUES TO SOUND.... TODAY APR 16 2015 THE TRUCK STARTED SPUTTERING THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH..... IT STARTED AFTER 3 TRIES I TOOK IT TO GAS STATION AND IT'S FULL OF GAS BUT GAUGE SAYS IT'S EMPTY ..... THIS ISN'T SAFE ..... MY 2 YR OLD COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.... WHY ISN'T IT BEING RECALLED ? IF YOU GOOGLE THE PROBLEM IT'S UP TO $2000 TO FIX AND EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT NO INVESTIGATION OR RECALL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2015
FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 FORD SPORTRAC DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. NEEDLE STUCK AT 1/4 TANK AND SOMETIMES WILL MOVE, BUT CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. EVEN AFTER FILLING UP, IT WILL NOT SHOW FULL TANK. HAVE TO USE TRIP METER TO HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN TO RE-FUEL. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND AFTER RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, WE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD VIA RECALLS ON THEIR VEHICLES. IT COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Apr 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPENING THE REAR DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE REAR PANEL THAT EXTENDED FROM THE REAR WINDOW VERTICALLY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE PANEL WHERE THE FORD EMBLEM WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 10, 2015
CANNOT FILL GAS TANK WITHOUT NOZZLE OR PUMP CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF. HAVE TO BEARLY SQUEEZE NOZZLE AND TRICKLE THE GAS IN. TAKES 10 TIMES LONGER TO FILL TANK THAN IT SHOULD. SOUNDS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH OLDER FORDS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPEWED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AS IF IT WERE FULL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED ONTO HIS CLOTHING AND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.