Major Problems with 2005 Ford Explorer Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2005 Ford Explorer

2005 Ford Explorer AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 17300 miles

2005 Ford Explorer STEERING Victims: 1 Mileage: 80000 miles

2005 Ford Explorer AIR BAGS Victims: 1 Mileage: 108673 miles

Browse 2005 Ford Explorer complaints by category

Problems with BODY, POWER TRAIN and AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Ford Explorer owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
BODY > STRUCTURE paint is peeling and chipping off along top of roof near front and rear. ford says this happens a lot....	107 ~ 80569 miles
POWER TRAIN i bought one of the sharpest suv's i ever saw - a 2005 ford explorer xlt 4x4 6 cylinder. it...	47 ~ 87336 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission problem . *ak...	40 ~ 56782 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE my gas gauge all of a sudden read e and my service engine soon came on on a three month...	37 ~ 60490 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while turning around in a large driveway at low speeds my 2005 ford explorer suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated causing it...	34 ~ 65970 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	30 ~ 61671 miles
STRUCTURE i purchased a 2005 ford explorer limited from a ford dealership in the spring of 2006. the vehicle was a...	25 ~ 60059 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM there is a defect in the fuel gauge indicator. it will randomly drop from the true fuel level to zero...	17 ~ 57638 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER the ford explorer from the mid-2000s is starting to show multiple defects. ford co. advised owners to report these problems...	15 ~ 85031 miles
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. while the contact was examining the vehicle she noticed that there was a...	15 ~ 66309 miles
WHEELS 2005 ford explorer xlt rear wheel studs shear off wheel falls off while driving no warning. has happened three times...	14 ~ 84117 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt: the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. the contact stated that the vehicle overheated. the contact checked all the...	14 ~ 53044 miles
ENGINE the engine had been behaving strange. there was a "tinking" sound like when you hit metal against metal and the...	13 ~ 102560 miles
VISIBILITY both sun visors in my 2005 explorer broke within a day of each other. the small plastic holder on each...	12 ~ 51832 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled intermittently four times. there were no warning indicator lights before the stalling occurred....	12 ~ 32655 miles
AIR BAGS both the passenger's side and driver's side air bags deployed without the vehicle being involved in a collision or rolling	11 ~ 64608 miles
STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. when attempting to start the vehicle the engine began to sputter. she...	10 ~ 76560 miles
SERVICE BRAKES because of the recent gm recall ignition issue i thought i should let someone know about the serious similar issue...	8 ~ 64123 miles
SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact continued to hear a roaring noise coming from her vehicle. she...	6 ~ 78490 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER the fuel gauge suddenly drops to empty even when the fuel tank is full. i have a 2005 ford explorer...	6 ~ 44467 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL our vehicle is a 2005 ford explorer. with the cruise control set and coasting with the coast button down to...	6 ~ 26339 miles
TIRES tires have small cracks along tread lugs and sidewall tread lugs. i am afraid they will blow out at anytime.	5 ~ 32775 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i have a 2005 ford explorer eddie bauer which looses power steering control and braking ability at random. i have...	5 ~ 46933 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION dt: the consumer owns a 2005 ford explorer xlt. the vehicle was just purchased about two weeks ago and she...	5 ~ 47746 miles
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER purchased new 2005 ford explorer after first 100 miles fuel gauge went falsely to empty and service engine light came...	5 ~ 2860 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING while stopped at a traffic light i switched on my turn signal to indicate a right turn and noticed the...	4 ~ 64280 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES i was removing caps on valve stems to check tire pressure when the valve stem broke off in the cap....	4 ~ 51750 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	4 ~ 24673 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	4 ~ 23250 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES rear liftgate (glass door section) opens by itself when the car is being driven. first a warning sensor lights "liftgage...	4 ~ 3156 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL car rpms increased while stepping on the brakes...	4 ~ 48668 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact stated that there was a massive crack under the rear...	3 ~ 123000 miles
TAILGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact stated the back tailgate was cracked. the dealer was contacted and...	3 ~ 81677 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES while trying to put my 2005 ford explorer in reverse the gear shift broke within the steering column. after looking	3 ~ 46333 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. on january 12 2010 he noticed that the rear hatch glass was split...	3 ~ 63000 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the defroster failed to...	2 ~ 40000 miles
SEATS the activheat heated car seat cover model # 6hcscbl24 was recalled because the seat cover could overheat and burn me....	2
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE the last week in nov. 2009 i had backed my vehicle into the garage. the next morning when i came...	2 ~ 20050 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS was traveling westbound on hwy 98 in florida when the vehicle slammed on its brakes to stop at the yellow...	2 ~ 56370 miles
EQUIPMENT about 1 month ago the heater began to not function correctly. it kept making a clunking sound before providing heat....	2 ~ 35000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i recently purchased a near new 2005 ford explorer. the vehicle is in pristine condition and has very low...	2 ~ 46750 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the vehicle has michelin cross touring (na) size lt235/70/r16 tires. while driving approximately...	2 ~ 34437 miles
PARKING BRAKE suv was in park with emergency brake engaged. driver released hood in error got out to close hood and owner...	2 ~ 33551 miles
SEAT BELTS dt*: the contact stated the engine surged and the check engine light illuminated at speeds of 30 mph. the vehicle...	2 ~ 14000 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE dt: the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. safety complaint was that light came on that said have your vehicle...	2 ~ 11495 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN i have a 2002 ford explorer with a leaking rear differential that is making a moaning noise when the throttle...	2 ~ 39000 miles
LATCH > TAILGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES back door latch on my ford explorer 2005 has come open twice while i was driving. *jb...	2 ~ 840 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT 2005 ford explorer. consumer states problems with air conditioner *tgw the consumer was a quoted a price of $2 400...	2 ~ 33500 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL hello while driving down the highway the upper ball joint in the drivers side front broke and caused damage to...	1 ~ 113641 miles
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY ford explorer eddie bauer - garage kept low miles due to working from home. discovered a crack in the back...	1 ~ 61000 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT traveling on 459 north around the grants mill road exit i encountered the poorly paved road/pot holes and my stereo/cd...	1
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT 2005 ford explorer. consumer writes in regards to premature failure of ball joints. *smd the consumer stated after a scheduled...	1 ~ 66704 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer writes to request an investigation concerning the business practices of a local auto repair center. *tgw the consumer did...	1
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING gas cap light comes on triggering the check engine light. *kb...	1 ~ 70000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN 2005 ford explorer front wheel bearings bad at 87 000 miles and ball joints have slack in them. ridiculous that...	1 ~ 87000 miles
COLUMN SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2005 ford explorer. consumer writes in regards to steering column gear shifter problems. *smd the consumer stated on december 10...	1
FRONT > SUSPENSION upper ball joint boots fell apart grease washes out ball joint failure at 52 000 miles. *tr...	1 ~ 52000 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i just bought a 2005 ford explorer xlt 4.0l v-6 4x4 with 45 000 miles and within one month the...	1 ~ 45606 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > REAR tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact stated when he took his vehicle into a local repair shop...	1 ~ 59000 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES bulge in sidewall of tire. *tr...	1
REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY the rear windshield imploded and no foreign objects were found . it was replaced. *tr...	1 ~ 59000 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the contact was driving approximately 65 mph in rainy weather conditions. the front...	1 ~ 36500 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES locking mechanism on the inside of the driver door stopped working after only 41 thousand miles. when vehicle was taken...	1 ~ 41000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. the vehicle had been parked for an hour and then caught fire. there...	1 ~ 36000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM a fire started in my 2005 ford explorer in the console area on the interior of the vehicle. the fire...	1 ~ 8600 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. while driving 30 mph the side air bags deployed without warning. there was...	1 ~ 49172 miles
INFLATOR MODULE > DRIVER SIDE > FRONTAL tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. while driving 50 mph the contact struck another vehicle in the rear. the...	1 ~ 65000 miles
CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl - the vehicle owns a 2005 ford explorer. the vehicle hestitates and there is a knocking noise. the contat...	1
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds the lift gate ajar light illuminated and seconds later the lift gate...	1 ~ 1926 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING i have a 2005 ford explorer eddie bauer which looses power steering control and braking ability at random. i have...	1 ~ 5000 miles
TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2005 explorer with multiple problems with the engine and transmission. customer states the vehicle has been to the dealer on...	1
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt*: the contact stated while driving at no specific speed all the windows went up and down the driver seat...	1 ~ 27000 miles
GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was placed in park while running and the emergency brake applied. as the contact...	1 ~ 8000 miles
GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) > STEERING dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked fluid was discovered on the driveway from an unknown source. upon...	1 ~ 5248 miles
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	1 ~ 5000 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	1 ~ 5000 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION dt: 2005 ford explorer. the contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs...	1 ~ 5000 miles
AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN 2005 ford explorer xlt-3 weeks old now have had to: replace rear axle-howling noise-still noise in rear and have to...	1 ~ 4500 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the tailpipe on the 2005 ford explorer had burned the left side of the bumper. *jb the tailpipe was found	1
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC while attempting to brake on 2005 ford explorer also am hitting the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to surge toward	1
SEAL > AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY the rear differential of my 2002 ford explorer xls is leaking at 41 000 miles. noticed the liquid on the...	1 ~ 41000 miles

Torque wrench

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