KnownCarProblems2005 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 497 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Explorer, most often about the body and structure (30% of complaints, typically around 77,500 miles). It is 15th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2005 Ford Explorer problems
Body and structure
151 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when she heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a fracture where the emblem and the windshield connected. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure or repaired. The…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the back tailgate was cracked. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to call the nhsta hotline since there were no recalls or valid warranty for the failure. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls or warranties related to the failure…
Transmission
99 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
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…
The 2005 Ford Explorer, when shifted into reverse, has a delay then slams into gear and the vehicle lurches rearward. Also, the truck has a delay when shifting through some forward gears as well. The truck will delay or hesitate when shifting through the gears, then slam into the next gear.
Fuel system
66 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
2005 Ford Explorer has intermittent problem of engine cutting off and lack of throttle response while driving. Vehicle then has problem starting. Computer is showing numerous fuel related codes. Dealer has repaired numerous parts and problem still exits.
While driving, when I applied the brakes, the car lurched and made a noise. About 1 minute after that, a warning light that stated "engine fail safe mode" and a little wrench showed up on the left of the instrument panel. I was driving home, and the car started to speed up without my increasing the speed using the gas…
Engine
46 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
- the contact has a 2002 Ford Explorer xlt. The contact stated that there is a rattle in her engine. The mechanic stated that the problem was with the timing chain. The rattling noise was loudest while driving over 40 MPH, and he stated that the weather was not a factor. The contact stated that the noise occurs every…
On july 12, 2013, I took my 2005 Ford Explorer to the Ford dealer where it was purchased because I was having problems when I put the vehicle into reverse. At times it's very difficult to put into reverse and when I put in reverse the vehicle jerks or lunges into gear. This has been happening for about 2 1/2 years.…
Speed control
44 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
My gas pedal is sticking. I initially thought my brakes were going. I just had my rear brakes replaced and my car passed inspection. I was told I'd need new front brakes in the next six months. Three times, I've had the gas pedal stick. When I try to apply brakes, it barely slows down the car and the motor gets really…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer xlt. While driving in reverse out of a parking space she lightly placed her feet on the accelerator pedal and suddenly the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. The parked vehicle was pushed into two other parked vehicles. She stated that her vehicle does not have…
Electrical
36 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
On several occasions (about 6 times total) and without any warning, my 2005 Ford Explorer has lost all power. All incidents have occurred within the past 6 months with the most recent occurrence on november 26, 2008. Each incident has occurred at speeds below 45 MPH and while coasting on a slight downgrade. My concern…
Just driving along taking a mild corner and my 2005 Ford Explorer just died and the steering wheel locked up. Took to the local auto repair and they got two codes p2104 and p2112. Which has something to do with the throttle actuator. After speaking with Ford locally the part(s) for this problem have been on back order…
Visibility and wipers
26 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, defroster/defogger/hvac system, rear window wiper/washer.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. On january 12, 2010 he noticed that the rear hatch glass was split in half. He filed a report with the manufacturer who confirmed that there were no related recalls; therefore, they would not offer any assistance. The vehicle will be repaired by the dealer. The failure and current…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. While driving she heard a loud clanging noise coming from the instrument control panel. The next day the vents would only release cold air from the vents. As a consequence she could not defrost the windows. Her mechanic stated that the heater box failed and would cost $800.00 to…
Wheels and tires
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH she heard a noise when another driver pulled next to her and told her that her rear driver side tire was about to fall off. Upon further inspection, she noticed that she only had three of the four lug nuts on the rim. The contact had…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer with michelin t235- 70t16 16' latitude tour tires . The contact stated while driving, the driver's side rear tire blew. The contact lost control and crashed the vehicle due to the tire wall blow out. The contact was injured and required medical attention. The failure mileage was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Ford Explorer recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Summary
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.by the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (I.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during ea09-013, odi identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.the highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the automatic transmission parking system, was 4.4/100k.the next-highest failure rate was for the bsi system, at 3.4/100k.for all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Summary
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. The swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumer shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. In november of 2004, for
Questions about the 2005 Ford Explorer
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Explorer?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (151 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); transmission (99 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); fuel system (66 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Ford Explorer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Ford Explorer?
- It is 15th of 27 Explorer model years by number of complaints, with 497 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.