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, Mar 2, 2013
BELOW REAR WINDOW, TOP HATCH CRACK OUT OF NO WHERE. REASON FOR FILING COMPLAINT IS I JUST SAW ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD THE SAME CRACK. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE CRACK UNDER THE REAR EXTERIOR LIFTGATE WINDOW PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WINDOW PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE WINDOW GLASS FROM DISENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. KMJ. RETURNED BY USPS ON 4/2/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 4/9/2013 FAILED. *KB
Structure, Feb 26, 2013
THE PANEL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW CRACKED THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 8 INCH CRACK. I HAVE SINCE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND A MERCURY SUV WITH THE SAME CRACK. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS A PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE NOT MAKING GOOD ON. *TR
Structure, Feb 26, 2013
THE PAINT IN THE VALLEYS ON THE ROOF HAS ALL FLAKED OFF AND IS RUSTING. PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND FIRST NOTICED IT LAST YEAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2013
FILLED UP THE GAS TANK THE DAY BEFORE AND NOW THE GAS METER ON THE DASHBOARD READS EMPTY. I KNOW THERE'S GAS ON THE CAR. NOW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHTS APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE IT SINCE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IT REALLY HAS. THE INFO BUTTON TELLS ME HOW MANY MILES I HAVE TO THE GALLON BUT HOW SURE IS THAT INFORMATION IS IF THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" IS ON. I REACHED ONLINE TO FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. COME TO FIND THE REPAIR IS PRICEY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!! NO ONE IS SAFE WHILE DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT SHOWS FALSE INFORMATION ON THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Power train, Feb 8, 2013
MY 2005 FORD HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER 3 DIFFERENT TIMESFOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FIRST TIME 2006 SECOND 2010 THIS 2013. I'M TOLD THE SOLENOID PAC THE OD BANDS ARE TO BLAME ALL THREE TIMES.I'M GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR AND FORD MOTOR COMPANIES INABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR TO ATLEAST EXCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.WITH THIS LAST FAILURE THEY HAVE GIVEN ME TO OPTIONS REBUILD AGAIN OR PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHY WOULD I WANT TO REPLACE A CRAPPY TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW CRAPPY TRANSMISSION. IS THEIR ANY HELP WITH THIS? *TR
Structure, Jan 26, 2013
LIFTGATE PLASTIC BODY PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM/LOGO. *TR
Structure, Jan 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH BACK PANEL DEVELOPED A FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Suspension, Jan 23, 2013
2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER A SCHEDULED TIRE ROTATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE OUT OF SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THEM BEING REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED.
Power train, Dec 23, 2012
TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO GO OUT AND AN INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED FOR ALL 2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AFTER 120,000 MILES. *TR
Structure, Dec 17, 2012
LIFTGATE PLASTIC BODY PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LEFT OF THE FORD LOGO INSERT. *TR
Air bags, Dec 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE ARM AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST HER ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Structure, Dec 3, 2012
THE PANEL UNDER THE BACK LIFT WINDOW NEXT TO THE EMBLEM IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE'S HAVE DONE I WISH THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN ALL THE CARS I HAVE OWNED SINCE I GOT MY LICENSE HAVE BEEN FORD MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1955 2 DOOR I STILL HAVE IT I GUESS THE WARRANTY IS NO GOOD ON IT EITHER. *TR
Structure, Nov 25, 2012
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 ## VIN FAILED
Structure, Nov 23, 2012
LARGE CRACK THROUGH THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW. *TR
Engine, Nov 13, 2012
THE ENGINE HAD BEEN BEHAVING STRANGE. THERE WAS A "TINKING" SOUND, LIKE WHEN YOU HIT METAL AGAINST METAL, AND THE ENGINE WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHEN UNDER SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THE NIGHT BEFORE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE NEXT MORNING IT TRIED TO TURN OVER BUT COULDN'T START. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE SPROCKET JACK SHAFT BROKE, CONTROLS CAM BROKE, THERE WERE BENT VALVES, LIFTERS WERE HIT WITH THE JACK SHAFT AND CAMS WERE HIT TOO. THE ENGINE HYDRO-LOCKED, RUINING THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE NATIONAL FORD COMPLAINT CENTER. FORD SAID IT WOULD NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PUTTING IN A NEW MOTOR. *TR
Structure, Nov 12, 2012
WENT TO LOAD STUFF INTO THE BACK AND NOTICED A SPIDER CRACK ON THE PLASTIC PANEL RIGHT BELOW THE REAR GLASS PANEL. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT THERE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE REPORTED BY ALMOST ALL 05 EXPLORER OWNERS AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UNDER FORD'S LIABILITY SINCE IT IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE AND NOT JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF VEHICLES OCCURRING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2012
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I NOTICED A LARGE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL. *TR
Structure, Nov 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF THE TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SPLIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A TECHNICIAN OR MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,292.
Structure, Oct 30, 2012
NOTHING THAT I AM AWARE OF HAPPENED. I WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND NOTICED A LONG CRACK BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE. AS THE WEEKS WENT ON IT KEPT CRACKING AND NOW IT IS ALMOST CRACKED ALL THE WAY. *TR
Structure, Tires, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW SPLIT AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW, WHICH EXTENDED TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE DAMAGE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD EXPLODE WHEN SHE DROVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HEAT COULD BE A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LATCH FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE TIRE SENSOR GAUGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE OF THE TIRES ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 17, 2012
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE KEPT THE MAINTENANCE ON IT. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IS TURNED TO THE WARM/HOT (RED) POSITION OR THE A/C UNIT IS TURNED ON, WE NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE OVER THE YEARS. WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE THUMPING SOUND HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY STRONGER (AS IF SOMEONE WAS PHYSICALLY PUNCHING THROUGH MY DASHBOARD/GLOVE COMPARTMENT), CAUSING MY HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM TO BE INOPERABLE. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED TO REPAIR THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER TO FIX. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED ONLINE ALONG WITH COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT WE KNOW. *TR
Structure, Sep 15, 2012
PARKED AND WENT INTO GROCERY STORE. CAME OUT GOING TO WHERE I HAD PARKED. AS I WALKED UP TO THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS AT THE WRONG VEHICLE BECAUSE I KNEW MY 2005 EXPLORER WAS NOT CRACKED. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION,I REALIZED THIS WAS MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER EXPLORER AROUND TOWN WITH A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT. SEEMS TO ME THIS JUST MIGHT BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. BELIEVE FORD MOTOR SHOULD REPAIR AT NO COST. *TR *JS
Structure, Sep 7, 2012
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A SMALL LOT AT WORK. WHEN GOING OUT TO LOAD SOME ITEMS IN THE CARGO AREA, A FRIEND NOTED THE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE. IT IS TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM AND I HAVE SINCE SEEN NUMEROUS IDENTICAL CRACKS ON OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO COLLISION THAT CAUSE THIS, THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES OR DENTS. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.