NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HATCH LIFTGATE GLASS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LATCH LOCK ON THE LIFTGATE HATCH DOOR GLASS NEEDED REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH SWITCH FOR THE REAR HATCH GLASS WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
2005 EXPLORER WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR SHUTTING OFF AND PASSING GEARS ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. *KB THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE JERKED INTO PASSING GEAR WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS REPLACED. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS COMPLETELY DIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. BOTH INSTANCES HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE GOES DEAD, AS IF THE KEY HAS BEEN TURNED FROM "RUN" TO THE NEXT POSITION BACK. THERE ARE NO SYMPTOMS PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, ALL GAUGES GO DEAD AND ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, SO I KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS ELECTRICAL POWER. SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO TURN OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE 13TH OF MAY AND AGAIN ON THE 2ND OF JUNE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GARRY SMITH FORD, IN FT WALTON BEACH FL FOR SERVICE, AND ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAULT AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A FAULT IN THE VEHICLE SYSTEM. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR ANSWER. THEY HAVE REPLACED NO PARTS ON MY VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED THAT I SIMPLY KEEP DRIVING IT, UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO DIE, THEN CALL THEM ON THE PHONE. *NM
SEVERE VIBRATION IN REAR END OF VEHICLE BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH TIRE REBALANCING AND ROTATION DID NOT IMPROVE SITUATION AT ALL SEEMS WORSE AFTER APPROX. 20 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. NOT SURE IF ITS A TIRE OR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM BUT IT 'FEELS' LIKE IT IS ABOUT ONCE PER REV. OF THE AXLE. VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL FORD RSC AND GOODRICH 17" TIRES. *NM
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE SPRING OF 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE RETURN. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FLOORBOARD AND IN THE GAS PEDAL. I E-MAILED FORD CONCERNING THIS AND THEY SENT ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP APPOX 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. I CONTACTED FORD A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. IN THE MEANTIME THIS VIBRATION GIVES ME BACK AND HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS IN MY FEET AND I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ADVERSE AFFECTS IT HAS ON ME. WHAT MORE CAN I DO? MCLEAN FORD-MERCURY HAVE BEEN GREAT THROUGH OUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. THEY'VE DONE MORE THAN MOST DEALERSHIPS WOULD DO AND HAVE BEEN SUPER. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T SAY THE SAME FOR FORD. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO SPECIFIC SPEED ALL THE WINDOWS WENT UP AND DOWN, THE DRIVER SEAT MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARD, THE RADIO CAME ON AND WENT OFF, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER CAME ON AND WENT OFF. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKES VIBRATED AND A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE; HOWEVER THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND ALL POWERWAS LOST. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE ONLY IF I CAE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN VEHICLE RE-STARTED AND ACTED NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED SOMETIMES 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY OR NOT FOR A MONTH. I WAS TOLD BY MY FORD DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM DESPITE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME AND HOOKING UP THE COMPUTER TO IT. THE LAST ADVICE I RECEIVED FROM FORD WAS TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED IN WHEN STOPPAGE OCCURS. THATWAS NOT THAT EASY WHEN YOU NEED THE VEHICLE TO GET YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION OR YOU WERE STUCK IN A BAD AREA. THIS OCCURRED 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. ALSO, I HAVE A NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGESD WHEN THE BRAKEWA S APPLIED AS IF THE GAS HAD BEEN APPLIED. *AK
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES NOW. I HAVE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I FIRST BEGIN TO DRIVE, MY TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAY WHEN IT SHIFTS AND YOU CAN PRESS DOWN THE GAS PEDAL AND IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT GOES INTO WHAT MY DAD CALLS A PASSING GEAR BEFORE IT GOES. AND THIS IS USUALLY DIRECTLY AFTER SLOWING DOWN OR FROM A DEAD STOP. I ALSO HAVE A POPPING NOISE IN MY FRONT END WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE HAS AUTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND IT HAS ENGAGED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON A DRY DAY AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. AT TIMES WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE INTO GEAR A FEW SECONDS LATER IT POPS DOWN INTO GEAR LIKE IT WASN'T FULLY IN GEAR. IT HAS BEEN TIPPY WHEN TURNING OR TAKING CURVES AND YOU HAVE TO STEER HARD TO MAKE TIGHT TURNS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPROGRAMMED MY 4X4 MODULE AND MY ABS MODULE BUT THE PROBLEM IS NEVER FIXED. WHEN I TAKE IT TO THEM THEY SAY THAT THEY DON'T HEAR OR FEEL ANY PROBLEMS SO THEY CANNOT FIX WHAT THEY DON'T FEEL IS WRONG. I'VE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ONLY BE TOLD THAT IF I CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IT CANNOT BE FIXED. I WANT TO BE RID OF THE THING IT IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ONLY I OWE TOO MUCH TO TRADE IT IN. I ONLY HAVE 7000 MILES ON IT I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE MANY PROBLEMS OUT OF IT. AND I HATE THAT THEY ARE NEVER FIXED WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN RIDING IT MY VEHICLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I REGRET THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR AND WOULD GET RID OF IT IN A HEARTBEAT IF I COULD. *JB
WHILE DRIVING, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION OR ROLL OVER. FORD HAS REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY, DUE TO SCRATCHES ON THE UNDERSIDE-CAR FRAME, NEAR BOX. HAVE PLACED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. *JB
GAS GUAGE FAILURE.ON THE WAY HOME FROM BUYING THE SUV,THE GAS HAND WOULD NOT WORK.RETURNED CAR TO DEALER.THE DEALER FURNISHED ME A NEW CAR UNTIL THE CAR WAS FIXED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED.WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THE MECHANIC HAD A BULLETION THAT FORD HAD ISSUED SAYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GUAGE BECAUSE SULFUR IN THE GAS WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. FORD RECOMMENDS USING CHEVRON ADDITIVE IN THE GAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.THE MECHANIC SAID THE VEHICLE HAD 13000 MILES ON IT THE FRIST TIME THE GAS HAND QUIT WORKING. THE CAR HAD 17000 MILES WHEN THE HAND QUIT WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW GUAGE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL ONLY HELP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND YOU WERE OUT OF GAS IT COULD BE SERIOUS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK WHILE RUNNING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED. AS THE CONTACT WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED INTO REVERSE, AND CAUGHT THE CONTACT IN THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO DRAG THE CONTACT INTO A 4 LANE HIGHWAY THEN RAN OVER THE CONTACT AND PINNED THE CONTACT'S LEG. THE CONTACT WAS RAN OVER BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE AND TRAPPED. A BYSTANDER WATCHED THE ACCIDENT TAKE PLACE AND TO RELEASE THE CONTACT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE BYSTANDER WAS REQUIRED TO DRIVE BACK OVER THE LEG TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE CONTACT. MAJOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE LEG AND SIDE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND PROVIDED A WRITTEN REPORT. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED AND HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SPEED SET AT 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATES ITSELF WITH NO INTERACTION FROM THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED 3 TIMES WHILE IN USE. IN FEBRUARY 2006, AFTER SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED IT TOOK 3 TO 5 MINUTES TO TURN IT BACK ON. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. IN MARCH 2006, IT DEACTIVATED ONCE. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID WAS DISCOVERED ON THE DRIVEWAY FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL.
SPEED CONTROL ON 2005 FORD EXPLORED WILL ACCELERATE WHEN COAST BUTTON PUSHED. CAN BE TURNED ON BY PRESSING OFF BUTTON. OPERATES OK FOR SOME OF THE TIME AND IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN WILL MALFUNCTION. OCCASIONALLY ONLY TAP BRAKE WILL TURN OFF SPEED CONTROL. OFF BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. WILL ACCELERATE AFTER SPEED CONTROL OFF SEVERAL MINUTES LATER. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY SPEED CONTROL. *JB
I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON JANUARY 23, 2006. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY FIRST PAYMENT WOULD BE ON MARCH 22,2006. HOWEVER I RECEIVED A PAYMENT REQUEST TWO WEEKS AFTER I BROUGHT THE EXPLORER. THE SALESPERSON COMPLETELY LIED TO ME. HE DIDN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING I WANTED HIM TO. AND FOR WORSE THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN I PUT THE EXPLORER IN REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION MAKE A TERRIBLE SOUND. I CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I WANT TO CANCEL THE PURCHASED OF THIS CAR IT IS JUST GIVING ME PROBLEMS. *NM
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON FL STATE ROAD 85 AT THE OKALOSSA REGIONAL AIRPORT ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 P.M. WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 85 ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE STOP SIGN EXITING THE AIRPORT TO TRAVEL SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 85. MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND T-BONED A 2003 FORD MINIVAN. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2004, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY GAS GAUGE WAS READING E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED MAY 13, 2005. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. SINCE I HAD FILLED THE TANK THE DAY BEFORE THEY WANTED ME TO DRIVE AROUND AND USE THE GAS UP. I REFUSED AND THE WOUND UP DRAINING MY TANK. WELL AFTER FILLING MY TANK UP ON JANUARY 20, 2006 AGAIN MY GAUGE IS READY ALMOST E AND THE DASH KEEPS TELLING ME I HAVE A LOW FUEL LEVEL. THIS TIME I WASN'T EVEN DRIVING IT HAPPENED AFTER RESTARTING MY CAR WHEN THEY FINISHED PUMPING MY GAS. BACK TO THE DEALER I GO AND AGAIN I AM TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT AND OR CHANGED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY DRAIN THE GAS AND SINCE THE TANK IS FULL I AM SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL I USE MOST OF THE GAS. I AM TOLD THEY DO HAVE THE PART IN STOCK TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY FOUR TIMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS BEFORE THE STALLING OCCURRED. AFTER EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, DROVE, AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER , THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE PRESENT TO EVALUATE IT, AND THE CONTACT DECLINED. *AK
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR. IT WILL RANDOMLY DROP FROM THE TRUE FUEL LEVEL TO ZERO FUEL. AFTER SOME VARIABLE TIME PERIOD IT WILL AGAIN GO FROM ZERO FUEL TO THAT ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT CONFUSES THE DRIVER AS TO HOW MUCH FUEL THERE IS IN THE FUEL TANK AND MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO STOP THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR SEVEN YEARS AND IT HAS PERSISTED ALL THESE YEARS. I CHECKED THE WEB AND OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE OF 3-5 SECONDS BEFORE ONE FEELS ANY ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THIS AFTER HE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 8-05. HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY AGREED WITH HIM. THEY TEST DROVE ANOTHER 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND IT DID THE SAME THING. THE DEALER CALLED FORD, AND FORD SAID THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS, AND THEY ALLOWED THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT BEFORE IT ACCELERATED. THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THIS. IT HAPPENED WHETHER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON OR OFF. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED.*AK *NM
WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A LARGE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED CAUSING IT TO RUN INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (MINOR) ALSO RIPPING OFF THE RUNNING BOARD AFTER RUNNING OVER A LARGE LOG. THIS CAR HAS ALSO FAILED TO START AT TIMES AND ONCE THE ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. SAFETY COMPLAINT WAS THAT LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP FIXED. DEALER FIXED THE FUEL PUMP. NO CRASHES. NO POLICE REPORTS. NO FIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON ROAD WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, BEFORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK
BOTH THE REAR LIFT-GATE AND BACK DOOR HAS OPENED ON ME, WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND RESIDENTIAL ROADS, 6 TIMES ON MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 6,500 MILES ON IT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT ONE DAY I'LL BE TRANSPORTING SOMETHING AND THE BACK DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS HAVE FLOWN OUT THE BACK INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN THIS OCCURS - IT'S VERY SPORADIC. THE MESSAGE CENTER DOES WARN ME THE LIFTGATE IS AJAR (TOO BAD I'M ALREADY DRIVING AND IT'S TOO LATE), AND THEN THE BACK HATCH OR BACK DOOR WILL OPEN UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM - THEREFORE ARE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
DT: 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES WITH NINE REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASE, APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO. THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY/WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE REAR WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE/THE PULLEY IN THE MOTOR, HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COMPUTER CHIP HAD TO BE RESET. THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION; THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IGNITION. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION . THE CONTACT WAS ASKING FORD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AT THIS TIME. A SERVICE ADVISOR WAS SUPPOSE TO SPEAK WITH THE CONTACT.*AK
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT-3 WEEKS OLD NOW HAVE HAD TO: REPLACE REAR AXLE-HOWLING NOISE-STILL NOISE IN REAR AND HAVE TO TAKE BACK TOMORROW. HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS W/ REAR AXLES BEING REPORTED. WOULD NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. 3 WEEKS OLD AND WE ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS PURCHASE. SHOCKED THAT THEY SOLD THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THESE KINDS OF ISSUES W/ 2005 EXPLORERS IS PREDOMINATE. THEY ARE ALL UNDER WARRANTY SO NO RECALLS. 3 IN SHOP WHEN WE WERE THERE. BEEN WITHOUT OUR NEW VEHICLE 4 DAYS THUS FAR. NO RENTAL PROVIDED. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND SHE HEARD A LOW HOWLING NOISE. WHEN SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WHERE NOT USE TO DRIVING A SUV. SHE FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE PINION IN THE REAR END. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING ON DOING A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ARE CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR JOB WAS ABOUT 2000 DOLLARS. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THESE 2005 FORD EXPLORER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REALIZE THAT THIS NOISE IS A PROBLEM. THEY TOLERATE THIS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS JUST THE VEHICLE. *JB
REAR LIFTGATE (GLASS DOOR SECTION) OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. FIRST A WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS "LIFTGAGE AJAR" THEN THE DOOR OPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2005 WITH 3,500 MILES HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES & THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT.
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH A LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS MAKING A MOANING NOISE WHEN THE THROTTLE IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 44,00 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DISCOVERED THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT FORD IS "INVESTIGATING" THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE, MY DEALER TELLS ME MY ONLY RECOURSE IS A $1700 REBUILD OF THE REAR END. IT IS TIME FOR FORD TO ADMIT THAT THE LIGHT ALUMINUM REAR END WAS A POOR DESIGN AND RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT!!! *NM
MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON, ON A THREE MONTH OLD 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 2200 MILES. I HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND IF SOMETHING DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW AS THE LIGHT IS PERPETUALLY ON. THE DEALER STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED, I 'VE BEEN WAITING 3 WEEKS ALREADY. THE DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING ON 20 OF THEM FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT MY SITUATION IS THE FIRST THEY'VE HEARD OF IT. THIS CAN'T BE TRUE AS THE DEALER I TOOK MY CAR TO IS WAITING ON THE PART TO FIX 20 EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO FOUND THIS PROBLEM POSTED IN NUMEROUS FORUMS ONLINE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE OR WHETHER OR NOT YOUR ENGINE IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND EXPEDITE THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS BACKORDERED PART. *NM
2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR AXLE LEAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLES WERE REPLACED AT 59,752. A YEAR LATER AFTER LISTENING TO THE NOISE IN THE REAR END FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, THE REAR PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW WAS RUSTED AND THE THROTTLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS IT IS CAUSING VEHICLE HESITATION.*JB
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIFTGATE (GLASS PORTION) OF MY 2005 EXPLORER WILL POP OPEN. THERE ARE NO PATTERNS (I.E. HITTING A BUMP) TO WHEN IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR IS I WILL BE HAULING SOMETHING - THE BACK WILL COME OPEN AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL OUT ONTO THE RAOD. MY DOGS TRAVEL BACK THERE TO AND FROM DOG SHOWS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY ADJUSTED THE STRIKE PLATE. IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN'T DEFINE THE PROBLEM SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT.
CAR RPMS INCREASED WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES
PURCHASED NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER AFTER FIRST 100 MILES FUEL GAUGE WENT FALSELY TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. FORD HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TECH BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE IN MAY 2005 YET THEY ARE STILL SELLING THE VEHICLE KNOWING THE UNITS ARE FAILING. WILL REQUIRE THEM TO REMOVE MY GAS TANK AND REPLACE UNIT. I BELEIVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE OR I SHOULDHAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING.
THE TAILPIPE ON THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAD BURNED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER. *JB THE TAILPIPE WAS FOUND TO BE TOO FLEXIBLE. THE DEALERSHIPS FINAL CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. *SC *JB
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE ON 2005 FORD EXPLORER, ALSO AM HITTING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE TOWARD ANY OBJECT IN FRONT
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS IS LEAKING AT 41,000 MILES. NOTICED THE LIQUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. AFTER I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK AT IT THEY TELL ME IT IS THE AXEL SEALS AND IS 450.00 TO FIX.NOW I LOOK AT 2002 EXPLORER REAR PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND THEY ARE EPIDEMIC IN PERPORTION.
ON SLIGHT INCLINE, VEHICLE WILL ROLL WHILE IN GEAR OR IT HESITATES TO ENGAGE IN GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SAME COMPLAINT MANY TIMES. FACTORY REP. SAYS NOTHING WRONG ALL MODELS DO THE SAME. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE, UNLESS EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD PERFORM THIS WAY. WHAT CAN I DO? *JB
BOTH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION OR ROLLING OVER. BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S EARS WERE STILL RINGING FROM THE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK
CRACKED PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW 2005 FORD EXPLORER. *TT
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW. SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 09/13/2005, AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP FLUSHED ALL THE FLUIDS, DONE OIL CHANGE, AND KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2005. THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE WENT UP AND DOWN, EVEN AT THE LOWEST SETTING THE HEATER GOT TOO HOT. *AK
BACK DOOR LATCH ON MY FORD EXPLORER 2005 HAS COME OPEN TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *JB
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM . *AK
THIS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH I INTENDED TO PASS SLOWER-MOVING VEHICLES BY ACCELERATING. HOWEVER, IT TOOK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-5 SECONDS TO KICK-IN, AND FOR THE EXPLORER TO ATTAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO SAFELY PASS OTHER VEHICLES, EVEN IF THE PEDAL WASFLOORED. THE TIME INTERVAL WAS TOO LONG (OTHER VEHICLE MADE WITH A/T TOOL ONLY 2-3 SECONDS), AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REFERRED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND TO FORD GROUP PHILIS. INC. 4 MONTHS AGO YET BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET FOUND A SOLUTION.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE SCDS DEACTIVATED WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND SHE RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,550. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RESUME AFTER THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO REDUCE THE SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE SYSTEM WOULD WORK PROPERLY. UPDATED 11/04/09
NOTICED THE BACK PANEL OF MY 05 EXPLORER WAS DEEPLY CRACKED. DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT OF MANY EXPLORERS. I DON'T HAVE TO MONEY TO FIX IT AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SINCE I DID NOTHING WRONG. *TR
2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS A QUOTED A PRICE OF $2,400 TO FIX THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 16 MONTHS. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD A LARGE HOLE ON THE SIDE OF THE CASE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026