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.
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER CAME WITH METAL VALVE CAPS ON THE TIRES, WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE WITH A LOW PRESSURE SIGNAL ON, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE CAPS WERE FROZEN ONTO THE STEMS, AND IF HE TRIED TO TAKE OFF THE CAPS, THEY WOULD SNAP THE SENSORS IN THE TIRES, AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $600. TO REPLACE ALL FOUR SENSORS. I RESPONDED THAT IT WOULD COST $600. TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES BECAUSE OF A DESIGN DEFECT? THE RESPONSE WAS YES. MY POINT, IF YOU DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO CORRECT A MFR'S DESIGN ERROR, YOU ARE RIDING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES, CREATING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
MY LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AS FOLLOWS: FORD MOTOR COMPANYMAIN TOPIC: VEHICLESERVICEISSUESYOUR INQUIRY: MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EDITION FORD EXPLORER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND SLIPS GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND WAS APPALLED BY THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. (AUTOBEEF.COM) MANY OF THEM PAYING THE MONEY ($3,000) TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED ONLY TO FIND IT HAPPENS AGAIN IN FEW THOUSAND MILES. WHEN I SAW ALL THOSE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING, I THOUGHT SURELY FORD WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BY NOW. BUT AFTER SEARCHING YOUR WEBSITE FOR A RECALL NOTICE, I FOUND NOTHING!! CAN THIS BE RIGHT? HOW CAN YOU COMMERCIALISM SELLING QUALITY PRODUCTS WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEING IGNORED? IF I HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (BY A AUTHORIZED DEALER), WHAT ASSURANCES DO I HAVE FROM FORD, THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT RETURN? I'M NOT A FAN OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, BUT IT SEEMS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY BIG CORPORATIONS LISTEN TO THE MASSES ANYMORE. THEIR RESPONSE: I REGRET THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PROMPTED YOU TO WRITE US. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FORD AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WORK TOGETHER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP FEEDBACK. IF A CONCERN IS NOTED, A RECALL IS CONDUCTED TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS CONCERN IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. HOWEVER, DUE TO OUR RIGOROUS SAFETY STANDARDS AND CONSTANT TESTING, NOT ALL ISSUES RESULT IN RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS. I AM TRULY SORRY THAT CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO SAFETY OR EMISSIONS RECALLS FOR YOUR VEHICLE CONCERN. IF A PROGRAM IS ANNOUNCED ON THIS SPECIFIC COMPONENT, FORD WILL NOTIFY YOU BY MAIL. ON THE OTHER HAND, PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE PROJECTED LIFE EXPECTANCY OF OUR VEHICLE PARTS IS OBTAINED THROUGH ETC. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL ON THE LIFT GATE WAS CRACKED DOWN THE SIDE BY THE FORD LOGO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS A DESIGN FLAW ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD THE CRACK WHILE PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH IN SLIGHTLY ICY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SLID OVER BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARM, SHOULDERS AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER ADVISED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 62,000. UPDATED 07/13/2010.*LJ
THE REAR PANEL UNDER MY BACK WINDOW IS CRACKED ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FALLS OFF AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAS A CRASH TRYING TO AVOID IT? WILL FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING? DOUBT IT. THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT IS RAMPANT ON THE INTERNET. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE GUY BEHIND ME CAN BE ASSURED HE WON'T HAVE TO PLAY DODGE THE PLASTIC WHEN IT FALLS OFF. *TR
WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT SAYS CHECK TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT AN ESTIMATE O $1800.00. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER NEW, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUV DELAYING OR NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT JERKS INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WAS DOING IT ONCE TWICE A MONTH, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. ALSO MY SUV JUMPS INTO GEAR WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSING THE FRONT TIRE TO BURN RUBBER AND WEAR MY TIRE OUT QUICKLY. I HAVE TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT ALWAYS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESS ASAP! *TW
PANEL BELOW TAILGATE GLASS HAS VERTICAL CRACK. PURCHASED 2005 EXPLORER 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION (HAD AN 02 EXPLORER WITH SAME CRACK ISSUE SO I KNEW WHAT TO LOOK FOR). CRACK LITERALLY HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF TOYOTA CAN HAVE A MASSIVE RECALL THEN SO CAN FORD. *TW
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. *TR
DEP CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79000.
LARGE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON TNE TAILGATE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FORD SIGN IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO GET LARGER AND I AM CONCERNED THAT A PIECE OF THE PANEL COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE A FOLLOWING MOTORIST TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I AM AWARE THAT FORD HAS RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
SHIFTING HARD, REVERSE STARTED MISSING THEN FIRST GEAR MISSING. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS UNFIXABLE. *CN
TL*THE 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 MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SENSOR BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,400.
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS MULTIPLE PAINT PROBLEMS PEELING ALL OVER THE CAR,,THE DEALER SAID ITS ANY AFTER MARKET PAINT JOB I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM DAVE SMITH FORD IN 2008 THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY REPAINTED WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF THE CARS LIFE.
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH HAS A CRACK IN IT TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP WHICH FORD SHOULD COVER, BUT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS OF IT AT ALL. FURTHER MORE I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AS THE COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL. SHAME ON FORD AND THEIR CHEAP CONSTRUCTION OF MATERIALS. *TR
2005 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCEPTING FUEL AT ALL CA GAS STATIONS ....MUST HOLD PUMP NOZZLE AT VERY LOW VOLUME FOR EXTREMELY LONG PERIODS OF TIME TO FILL TANK COMPLETELY AND THEN BACKWASH SPILLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. STILL ONGOING PROBLEM ...THANK YOU *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2005 EXPLORER NEW. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. AT 13000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 64000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING INTO REVERSE AND DRAGGING INTO 3RD JUST LIKE BEFORE. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY CAR JERKED, REVVED UP AND THEN CLUNKED INTO GEAR. THANK GOODNESS THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE. I TOOK IT IN AND FORD SAYS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SAID I JUST NEEDED MY COMPUTER UPDATED. WELL $200 LATER IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR IS STILL SLIPPING AND JERKING. MY CAR IS NOT QUITE 5 YEARS OLD AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BACK WINDOW PANEL NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR
THE LAST WEEK IN NOV. 2009, I HAD BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE, THE FIRST THING I CAN SEE IS THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE TOP HATCHBACK AND THE LIFTGATE. THE CRACK WAS IN THE CENTER TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK WAS THE FULL DISTANCE VERTICALLY OF THE PANEL. IT HAS SINCE WIDENED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT IT WOULD COST ME $430 TO HAVE FIXED. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS INCIDENT WHICH WAS OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR VEHICLE AND FORD WON'T PAY FOR IT NOR DO A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE BEEN VERY OBSERVANT OF OTHER EXPLORERS AND 1 OUT OF 3 EXPLORERS I SEE, HAS THE SAME CRACKED PANEL IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT. SOMETIMES I SEE THE CRACK ON THE LEFT OF THE EMBLEM, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, BUT BASICALLY ITS THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. THE FORD EXPLORER HAD APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. I PULLED INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY WHICH IS A FLAT, GRAVEL DRIVEWAY. THE FORD EXPLORER IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN EXITED THE FORD EXPLORER. AFTER EXITING THE FORD EXPLORER, IT STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS. THE OPEN DOOR KNOCKED ME DOWN AND THEN THE TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE RAN OVER MY LEG. MY SISTER RAN AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. *TR
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 SINCE AT LEAST AUGUST AND THEY ARE SAYING THEY MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JAN. 2010 OR LATER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL CAP BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE DEALER REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* 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 REPAIR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53168. UPDATED12/10/09. *LJ THE REPAIR COST WAS $438.00. THE PROBLEM WAS THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR, WHICH WAS INDIDE THE HEATER BOX. UPDATED 12/10/09
COMMON TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED MY FAMILY TO GET REAR ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN ALMOST INTO A ROLLOVER ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO BEING IN THE PASSING LANE AND TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 46,000 MILES WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
VEHICLE: 2005 FORD EXPLORER; MILEAGE 62,300; SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATING SERVICE WAS NEEDED; DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATE THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH FOR DEACTIVATION OF SPEED CONTROL NEEDS REPLACED. CURRENT NHTSA/FORD RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO 2005 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. CALL TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER INDICATES LACK OF INTEREST IN PROBLEM. *TR
VEHICLE STARTED SKIPPING AND LUNGING AS IT CHANGED GEARS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COSTS UP TO 3,000. FORD DID ALL SERVICE ON VEHICLE AT ALL THE RIGHT TIMES. NO RECALL CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. FINALLY TOOK TO TRANSMEDIC HAD REPLACED FOR $2300. CAN'T SOMEONE GET FORD TO DO ANYTHING. *JS
TL*THE 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 FLOOR MATS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE POLICE REPORT NUMBER IS 09-19790. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,287. UPDATED 11/18/09.LJ UPDATED 11/19/09
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. *TR
10/1/09 NOTICED PAINT WAS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. JUDGING BY WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET PLENTY OF FORD OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO FIX IT. PAINT SHOULD NOT FAIL ON BRAND NEW VEHICLES AFTER FOUR YEARS. ONCE AGAIN THE CONSUMER GETS NO SATISFACTION. *TR
I PARKED MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER 'EDDIE BAUER' AT THE FLAT TOP OF A DRIVEWAY AT 115 HOPKINS LANE IN BECKET, MA 01223. I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO 'P' AND EASILY REMOVED THE KEY WHICH I STASHED IN THE CUP HOLDER AS ALWAYS. THE DRIVE OF THE CAR PARKED BEHIND ME WAS STANDING ABOUT 20 FEET TO MIGHT RIGHT AND AS I WAS WALKING BEHIND MY VEHICLE SHE YELLED 'MOVE! YOUR CAR IS ROLLING!'. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AS THE FORD ROLLED VERY SLOWLY BACK ABOUT 6 FEET AND THE TRAILER HITCH CRUSHED THE REAR BUMPER OF HER 1999 PORSCHE 'BOXSTER'. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE PORSCHE WILL BE $1,400 + . HAD THE FORD MECHANISM BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXTRICATE MY KEY. *TR
WE FILL THE TRUCK UP. THE NEXT DAY THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL. GREAT FOR A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. 50500 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' DASH LIGHT IS ALSO ON. THE DEALER QUOTED ME ~$800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM (THINKS IT'S LIKELY THE 'FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT'). $200 FOR THE PART AND 4HRS LABOR. I HAVE NOT DONE THE REPAIR, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON LINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR
THIS MORNING, AS I WAS IN MOTION OF (64MPH). MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND I PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON ON WHEEL TO DISENGAGE. MY TRUCK COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, THE GAS PEDAL FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS NOT ON- IT DID NOTHING, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO PUSH AND WOULD NOT BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP, THE DASH LIGHTS DIMMED VERY LOW. AFTER WRESTLING WITH THESE OBSTACLES, I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED ENG. OFF, THEN BACK ON AND I HAVEN'T TRIED THE CRUISE SINCE. *TR
THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IS PEELING OFF BIG CHUNKS IN NUMEROUS SPOTS ON THE ROOF. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS PAST MY 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT WAS UP TO ME TO GET FIXED.I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PAINT THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON FORD VEHICLE PAINT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER STATED THE TRANSMISSION IN HIS VEHICLE IS FAULTY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AS YOU DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED CERTAIN VALVES WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED OR THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOTIFIED AND THE DRIVER WAS TOLD IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE OWNER TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. BL
2005 FORD EXPLORER, DELAY OR NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT INTO THE CORRECT POSITION IT SEEMS AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE GAS FAST. IT JERKS INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WAS DOING IT ONCE TWICE A MONTH, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENTLY, LIKE A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. I HAVE ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIANS SEVERAL TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS RECENTLY STARTED TO SLIP ALSO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORD EMBLEM WAS CRACKING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK BEGINS NEAR THE REAR WINDOW AND EXTENDS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,800.
HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE BACK TAILGATE AREA CRACKED BY THE FORD APPLIQUE. FORD WILL NOT EXTEND ANY GOODWILL REPAIRS AND CLAIMS IT IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON JUST ONE WEBSITE WHERE OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME RESPONSE FROM FORD. THERE WAS NOT DAMAGE OR EVENT TO THE TAILGATE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. JUST OCCURRED ONE VERY HOT DAY WHILE PARKED IN THE HEAT. CONTACTED AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO GET A QUOTE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME AND THEY CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF OUT IN FRONT OF GARAGE, ALL DOORS LOCKED. APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR WE NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE OUTSIDE. FIRE WAS COMING FROM INSIDE ENGINE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP, PUT OUT FIRE AND KICKED IN THE WINDOWS. DAMAGE WAS SEVERE AND LIFE-THREATENING; LARGE FIRE ALMOST CAUGHT THE ENTIRE APARTMENT BUILDING ON FIRE. THE FIREMAN SAID THAT THIS SEEMED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND NOT ARSON DUE TO THE WAY THE FIRE CAME FROM THE ENGINE, ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS OF THE CAR WERE CLOSED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF BREAK-IN. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE RECALL FOR SCDS THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION FORD MADE ON SUVS AND PICKUPS 1998-2002 BUT THIS OCCURRED ON A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. PLEASE HELP! PEOPLE ALMOST DIED DUE TO THIS TERRIBLE HAZARD FORD HAS NOT FIXED. *TR
ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE PAST THREE WEEKS, MY CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER. ON TWO OF THESE OCCASIONS, I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN IN THE ROAD AND ON THE THIRD TIME, I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT-AWAY. EACH TIME I WAS DOING LESS THAN 40 MPH. ONLY ONE TIME WAS ANYONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS STILL VERY SCARY AND VERY UPSETTING, CONSIDERING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS. I AM JUST AFRAID THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN I AM GOING FASTER OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. *TR
WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON HWY 98 IN FLORIDA WHEN THE VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES TO STOP AT THE YELLOW LIGHT, MY REACTION TIME WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP IN TIME TO NOT HIT HIM. I HIT THE BACK OF THE WORK VAN GOING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED AND THE INERTIA REEL NEVER LOCKED IN. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE SOLID IMPACT. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP ON TUESDAY TO HAVE EVERYTHING LOOKED AT AND FIXED. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLOER WITH 74K MILES THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING SHIFTING HARD WHEN PLACING IN REVERSE, AS WELL AS LURCHING UPON SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MAY 2005 AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 65K MILES. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A SOLENOID VALVE BODY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT WILL COST $1100 WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION BODY SHOP TO BE INFORMED THAT MY YEAR VEHICLE HAS SUCH PROBLEMS AND WHY FORD DOESN'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION PLACE DID NOT FIND TRANSMISSION CODE PROBLEMS, BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. THEY DID RECEIVE GET AN ENGINE CODE ERROR AND REFERRED ME TO ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST. I'M DISTURBED TO FIND OUT ON-LINE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING CONCERNING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELP RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ISSUES AND COVER THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE EVEN WITHOUT DOING A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
TRANSMISSION LEVER DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EVENTUALLY, IT DID RELEASE, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE THE LEVER IS FULLY "SEATED" INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. *TR
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP NOTHING HAPPENED AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WRECKING MY TRUCK AND BRUISING MYSELF BADLY. *JS
MY VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. THERE ARE SEVERAL CLICKS AND MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THIS OCCURS ALL ALMOST EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 12K MILES ON IT AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR
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
2007 FORD EXPLORER WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. WE TESTED IT ON THE TOW TRUCK AND IT STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AFTER TOWING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, IT FINALLY SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026