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, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Mar 8, 2014
FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - GARAGE KEPT, LOW MILES DUE TO WORKING FROM HOME. DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCH UPPER PANEL. WHEN REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) THE AGENT INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF IT. I DISCOVERED OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE SAME CRACK. CRACK IS CAUSED BY LACK OF STABILIZATION BEHIND THE PANEL AND THE CRACK APPEARS DUE TO REGULAR CLOSING OF THE BACK HATCH. STARTS WITH A SINGLE CRACK (CAN LEAD TO MULTIPLE CRACKS). THE CRACK ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE BACK HATCH AREA CAUSING RUST AND DISABLING OR LIMITING THE BACK WINDOW WIPER. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD AND EMAILED THEM REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY TAKE CARE OF. COST TO REPAIR CAN RUN ANYWHERE FROM $275 TO $1,000, DEPENDING UPON THE SEVERITY. WE HAVE STARTED A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THOSE OF US AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND OUR NUMBER IS GROWING EVERY DAY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE 2002 THRU 2006 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS. FORD HAS CHANGED THE MANUFACTURING FOR THE YEARS FOLLOWING. *TR
Structure, Mar 7, 2014
THE PAINT BUBBLED AND PEELED ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. HAD MY ROOF REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW, ANYTIME IT RAINS, I AM GETTING WATER LEAKING FROM THE REAR AC UNIT CONTROLS AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPETING IS SOAKING WET. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL NEAR THE HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR
Structure, Feb 24, 2014
THERE'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, THE 7 X 55 PANEL, THE ONE WITH THE FORD LOGO IN IT. IT CRACKS. IT DID IT TWICE ON OURS, WE REPLACED IT ONCE COSTING US $500. OUR REPAIRMAN SAID HE'S SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MANY FORD'. WE LOOKED INTO IT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER EXPERTS AGREE ON THE DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRING ATTENTION TO FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY BLEW US OFF, NOT EVEN HAVING THE COURTESY TO GET OUR LETTER TO THE PERSON IT WAS ADDRESSED. AS HUMAN NATURE, FORD TRIED TO MANIPULATE THE PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION ACTUALLY CONVINCING THEMSELVES AND TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE LIKE TO KEEP ALL OUR STUFF NICE BUT CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE DOESN?T LOOK NICE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW AWAY OUR MONEY ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. AGAIN, IT IS DEFECTIVE, ANYONE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND BODYWORK, WITH ANY SENSE, CAN REALIZE THE PROBLEM. ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO PROPOSE FORD?S RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WE DIDN?T DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME WE?RE READY TO GO AT IT IN FULL FORCE (ATTORNEY GENERAL, BBB, LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS, AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION) IF FORD DOESN?T FIND A FAIR WAY TO COMPENSATE US. THE ISSUE BEING THE FIRST PANEL BEING DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED ALLOWING US TO DRIVE AROUND IN A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; REPLACING THE PRODUCT FOR $500 WHICH STILL HAD THE ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN WE?RE DRIVING AROUND WITH A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; RESALE VALUE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION IN HOPEFULLY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Feb 24, 2014
I AM THE 1 AND ONLY OWNER OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AND THE REAR UPPER TAILGATE HAS A VERTICAL CRACK RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD LOGO THAT SPANS FROM WINDOW TO BASE 2CM IN WIDTH. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 14, 2014
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FILLED THE FUEL TANK UP AND THE LET THE VEHICLE SIT OVER NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS VERY CLOSE TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. AP *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2014
CAR SUDDENLY QUIT AND THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE LIGHT CAME ON. COMPUTER SCAN SHOWED THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR/CONTROL WAS STUCK CLOSED, AND COULD CLEAR ANY CODES. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL.. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOME. ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN AT MORE THAN AN IDLE WITH THE ACCELERATOR FULLY DEPRESSED, AND THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN THE RPM. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2014
HAD FUELED (FULL) 2 HOURS BEFORE. GAS GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY. MILES TO EMPTY SHOWS DASHES. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2014
DRIVER SIDE FRONT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD BEEN BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ON THE LAST PULL TO GET IN, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE DRIVER. *TR
Structure, Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL SILL PLATE ON THE LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2013
EVERY TIME GAS IS PUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY, AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE GAS BACKS UP END SPEWS OUT OF THE GAS FILL TUBE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS SO THAT THE GAS DOESN'T EJECT BACK OUT OF THE FILL TUBE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME ITS A HUGE FIRE/SAFETY ISSUE AS IT NORMALLY AMOUNTS TO A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND, ALL OVER MY PAINT, AND MOST OF THE TIME ON MY CLOTHES AND SHOES, ESPECIALLY ON A WINDY DAY. I ALSO KNOW IT'S NOT ONLY MY VEHICLE, AND THAT IT MUST BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BECAUSE ANY TIME I GET FULL SERVICE THE ATTENDANT IMMEDIATELY KNOWS TO TURN THE NUZZLE UPSIDE DOWN AND PUMP AS THIS SEEMS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE BUT STILL DOESN'T ELIMINATE IT. *TR
Engine, Nov 21, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING PIECE HAD MELTED AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Structure, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE UNDER THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
THERE IS A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTING UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. LENGTH OF ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES. JUST SEEMED TO APPEAR. WAS NOT THERE ONE DAY THEN THERE THE NEXT. *TR
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
CRACK UNDER REAR WINDOW ON REAR HATCH DOOR. *TR
Power train, Oct 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Structure, Oct 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE RUST SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHAT CAUSED THE RUST BUT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW METAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Structure, Oct 20, 2013
2005 FORD EXPLORER: I AM WORRYING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORERS REAR END AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE REAR ENDED. THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED: I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE AREA ABOVE AND BELOW THE EXPLORER EMBLEM CRACKED VERTICALLY. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR AND HERS CRACKED EXACTLY LIKE MINE A YEAR AGO. NOW I JUST SAW AN EXPLORER PARKED AT THE STORE AND IT WAS CRACKED TOO!!! *TR
Structure, Oct 9, 2013
HTTP://WWW.TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/967-FORD-DEFECTIVE-CRACKED-TAILGATE-CLASS-ACTION. *TR
Structure, Oct 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Structure, Sep 30, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND THERE IS A CRACK IN THE BACK ON THE HATCH THIS IS NOT ONLY ON MY VEHICLE THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE FROM THE YEAR 2000 AND UP THAT HAVE THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED I CALL FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO CONTACT THE NHSM I FEEL THAT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND THERE ARE SO MANY FORD EXPLORERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME THING I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR
Power train, Sep 26, 2013
ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2013, I TOOK MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALER (FREEWAY FORD IN BLOOMINGTON, MN) BECAUSE I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. AT TIMES IT HESITATES TO GO INTO REVERSE AND THEN CLUNKS INTO THE GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS OF COURSE MY TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,300 PLUS TAXES AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY EXPLORER IN THIS CONDITION, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE AT THIS POINT. I WENT ONLINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND 94 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THE 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. IN ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS SENT TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM - A WOMAN WROTE THAT SHE SENT A COMPLAINT LETTER TO THE DEPT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE 2005 FORD EXPLORES, THEY GET BACK TO HER TO TELL HER THAT THE FORD DEALER WILL PUT THE REPAIR UNDER SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY PROGRAM AND JUST CHARGE ME $100 BUCKS TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE FORD EXPLORERS MADE IN 2005, SO WHY HAVE THE VEHICLES NOT BEEN RECALLED AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST? [XXXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Wheels, Sep 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LUG NUTS BECAME DETACHED FROM THE REAR TIRES WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BARELY AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE INCORRECT LUG NUTS WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Power train, Sep 20, 2013
OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS ONLY 60 THOUSAND MILES AND WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT 60 THOUSAND MILES, AND ANOTHER MECHANIC TOLD US THAT FORD VEHICLES ARE STARTING TO BECOME KNOWN FOR THE BAD TRANSMISSIONS. AFTER READING SOME COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS, AS MANY FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED AT VERY LOW MILEAGE. FORD SHOULD CONSIDER A RECALL. *TR