2005 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I HAVE A CRACK ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2005 FOR EXPLORER. I SAW ON OUR LOCAL NEWS THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

BULGE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. *TR

WHEN YOU FILL THE TANK THE FUEL GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL YOU HAVE ABOUT HALF A TANK. FORD SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF ABOUT $1,100.00. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL - WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

05 FORD EXPLORER HAS REPEATED (ENGINE THROTTLE CONTROL) LIGHT WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE, WHILE MOVING, LOSES POWER AND THEN STALLS. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO RESET AND THE VEHICLE THEN RUNS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON (2) OCCASIONS AND NOW FEEL THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE SAFE. *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT I PURCHASED IN JUNE, 2005. ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009, I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHICH HAD ROUGHLY 49,000 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME, INTO REVERSE IN ORDER TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IN DOING SO, THE GEARSHIFT ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE GEARSHIFT IS NOT A SERVICEABLE PART AND THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED SHE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE, IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE COST FOR A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND ASSOCIATED LABOR WOULD BE MORE THAN $1,600. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT A USED STEERING COLUMN FROM A JUNKYARD WOULD COST MUCH LESS, BUT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL EARLY MONDAY MORNING. ON MONDAY MORNING, I WAS INFORMED BY KRF SOUTH THAT THEY COULD OBTAIN A USED STEERING COLUMN AND THE TOTAL COSTS FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $620. I CHOSE TO HAVE THE USED USED STEERING COLUMN INSTALLED DUE TO THE PRICE DIFFERENTIAL. SIMPLY PUT, A GEARSHIFT SHOULD NOT BREAK OFF FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH NORMAL VEHICLE USE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AFTER THE GEARSHIFT BROKE AWAY. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I COULD GET ASSISTANCE. NOW I HAVE A REPLACED STEERING COLUMN, WITH THE EVERLASTING THOUGHT THAT THE GEARSHIFT COULD BREAK OFF AT ANY POINT IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE A WIFE AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM HESITANT ABOUT HER USING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THIS MAY VERY WELL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I RECENTLY WENT TO GET INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK, AND WHEN I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE GEAR SHIFTER IS DIDN'T WANT TO GO INTO REVERSE SO I TRIED AGAIN AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE CASING OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO THE HEATER BEGAN TO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. IT KEPT MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND, BEFORE PROVIDING HEAT. NOW THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOT HEAT AT ALL. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE, AND REALIZED MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHY ISN IT A RECALL THEN. THE AVERAGE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS $600.00 . I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD WONT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS CRACKED. IT'S LIKE IT JUST MAGICALLY APPEARED OVERNIGHT! THE THING IS A TERRIBLE EYESORE, AND I'M SO TIRED OF FORD REFUSING TO REPAIR WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR A ROARING NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TWO FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AND, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $600. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 120,000.

REFUELING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WILL ACCEPT ONLY A VERY SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL AT A TIME, CAUSING AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF ON FUEL NOZZLE TO ACTIVATE. IT TAKES 15-20 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK.

WE PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN MAY '08 W/38000 MI. ON IT CARFAX, AT THAT TIME, INDICATED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED ON 2/9/07 @ 27643 MI. LATELY THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING GOOD SO WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC, WHO TELLS US IT IS A "TICKING TIME BOMB" AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION ASAP. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 48953 MI ON IT. HE ENCOURAGES US TO INVESTIGATE RECALLS AND WARRANTY INFO. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHO INSTALLED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2/07, THEY SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED, BUT OTHER PARTS (RELATING TO THE TRANS) WERE REPLACED. WE REQUESTED A COPY OF THE SERVICE ORDER FAXED TO US. ONCE REC'D, CODES AND WORDING ARE VERY CONFUSING BUT WE BELIEVE IT TO INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ALSO THE SERVICE TECH WE SPOKE TO TOLD US THE WARRANTY WAS A 3 YR/36K MI SO A REPLACEMENT NOW WOULD NOT BE COVERED. WE BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION HAS A MAJOR DEFECT IF, IN FACT, IT WAS REPLACED @ 27643 AND THE NEW ONE NOW HAS ONLY 21000 MI ON IT. WE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO SERVICE DEPT. BASED ON THEIR RECORDS FROM THE VIN #, THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN 2/07. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY WAS CHANGED ON THE '05 EXPLORER TRANSMISSION TO 3 YR/75K MI. (WHY WASN'T THE LENGTH OF TERM CHANGED ALSO?). THEY ALSO TOLD US THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION DID NOT COME WITH A NEW WARRANTY OF ITS OWN ' IT FELL UNDER THE OLD WARRANTY. WE'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS; WE'VE PUT 11K MILES ON IT AND IT NEEDS MAJOR REPAIRS THAT WERE EVIDENT PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. QUESTIONS REMAIN: DID THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN '07 OR NOT? IF NOT, WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND WAS FORD MOTOR CO. BILLED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION? IF IT WAS REPLACED, WHY ARE THESE TRANSMISSIONS GOING BAD AFTER ONLY 20-25K MILES? AND WHY WON'T FORD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT? *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL SENSOR FAILURE. *TR

THE REAR WINDSHIELD IMPLODED ,AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS WERE FOUND . IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT COMING ON, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THEN THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. IN DECEMBER 2008 THE CAR JUST STOPPED TAKING FUEL, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS FULL. IT WOULD TAKE ME A HALF HOUR TO FILL THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER, THEY SAID THEY CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS IN AND AROUND THE FUEL TANK, I PAID A BILL OF $370. THE NEXT TIME I FILLED IT WITH GAS, IT DID THE SAME EXACT THING AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY PUT A NEW FILLER NECK ON IT AND CHARGED ME $260. IT WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN IN FEBRUARY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN! I DID NOT WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IN IT, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF THAT, IT FIXED ITSELF. NOW, THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT IS ON AGAIN, AND ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, I PURCHASED IT NEW AND IT HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WAS HAVING THIS TROUBLE PUTTING THE GAS IN IT BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF GAS IN IT....EXCUSE ME, YOU CAN BET HE WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT TO MY HUSBAND IF HE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

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 IS THAT I WILL LOSE POWER IN A CRUCIAL SITUATION AND NOT BE ABLE TO STEER OR STOP EFFECTIVELY SINCE THESE FEATURES FUNCTION MOST EFFECTIVELY WITH FULL POWER. IN ALL INSTANCES I MOVED THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE. I DID CATCH IT ONE TIME BEFORE IT LOST POWER, AGAIN WHILE COASTING I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER DROP TO ALMOST 0. AT SEEING THIS I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR, THE RPM WENT BACK TO A NORMAL RANGE AND I DROVE ON AS NORMAL. *TR

FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. HAPPENED IN JULY '08 AND CAME RIGHT BACK ON. THOUGHT IT WAS A "FLUKE" THING WITH MY FUEL FLOAT IN TANK. HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK. DECIDED TO DO SOME "RESEARCHING" AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. NOT HAPPY! PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES! *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WHEN YOU PUT GAS IN IT AT A GAS PUMP IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND SPITTING FUEL BACK OUT OF THE FUEL NECK ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE BEEN SEEING OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING. THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE HAVING GASOLINE SPRAY ALL OVER THE GROUND IN A CROWDED GAS STATION. NOT TO MENTION HAVE TO TAKE 15 - 20 MINUTES TO FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP. THANKS, JAMIE A. JONES *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER PAINT FALLS OFF. *TR

VEHICLE HAD A DEAD BATTERY ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS AGO. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NO OTHER DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY, THE BATTERY DRAINS DOWN, AND NOW THE BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE AT ALL. NOW MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT DIAGNOSE THE CHARGING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE, AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE IS JUST ONE OF MY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. *TR

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 49,000 MILES CAR 3 YEARS OLD. *TR

SUN VISORS BROKE OFF. NOT BEING ABLE TO BLOCK SUN MAKING DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS DURING SUNNY DAYS. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR WHEEL STUDS SHEAR OFF, WHEEL FALLS OFF WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES 1ST TIME 9/22/08 REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. TRAVEL SPEED APPROX. 25MPH. ALL FIVE STUDS SHEARED OFF. TOWED IN HAD REPAIRED. COST $442.00 INCLUDING PURCHASE OF A NEW WHEEL. 10/1/08 HEARD A SLIGHT CHIRP IN DRIVERS SIDE REAR SO I REMOVED CENTER CAP AND FOUND TWO SHEARED OFF STUDS STILL ATTACHED TO THE CENTER CAP. REPLACED ALL 5 STUDS TOTAL COST $204.00 10/18/08 ARRIVED HOME FROM A FISHING TRIP A DISTANCE OF 600MILES ROUND TRIP LOOKED AT WHEELS AND FOUND MISSING STUD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR MISSING AND ANOTHER STUD STRIPPED. CURRENTLY HAVE CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHICH WILL BE APPROX. $180.00. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO, 4 TIMES YESTERDAY AND TODAY WITH THEM DENOUNCING THIS COULD HAPPEN AND ACCEPTING 0 RESPONSIBILITY AND HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT WITH THIS ISSUE. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE BY GOGGLING "FORD EXPLORER WHEEL FALLS OFF" OR "FORD EXPLORER WHEEL STUDS FALL OFF" I FIND OVER TWO DOZEN EXACT COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD EXPLORER STUDS SHEARING OFF. LIKE MINE, IN MOST CASES THE SUV HAS BETWEEN 48,000 AND 50,000 MILES. AND IN MANY REPORTS IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES TO THE SAME VEHICLE. I FOUND FORD MOTOR CO. REPRESENTATIVES TAKING A TOTAL NO RESPONSIBILITY POSTURE AND TO BE VERY UNCARING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MAJOR ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH THAT MY BE CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY CONDITION. I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT WITH HOPES YOU MAY TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE OUR HIGHWAYS SAFER. *TR

I WAS REMOVING CAPS ON VALVE STEMS TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WHEN THE VALVE STEM BROKE OFF IN THE CAP. IT IMMEDIATELY DEFLATED THE TIRE COMPLETELY! I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND COMING OFF THE RIM. I HAD THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD ALOT OF VEHICLES IN THAT THE VALVE STEMS HAD BROKEN OFF. VERY DANGEROUS. I AM NOW AFRAID THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THE OTHER TIRES COULD DO THE SAME THING. BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE TIRE SENSORS IN VALVE STEMS IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE AND ONLY A FORD DEALER CAN GET THE PART AND RECALIBRATE THE COMPUTER FOR THE SENSORS. *TR

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 TRANSMISSION I HAVE PUT IN THIS TRUCK. THE FIRST ONE WAS AT 75K JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, MY DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST ONE SAID POINT BLACK" TAKE IT TO A 3RD PARTY TRANSMISSION PLACE AS WE WOULD CHARGE YOU TOO MUCH, SO THERE YOU HAVE IT 2005 TRUCK AND I AM ON MY 3RD TRANNY. CAN NOT SELL AS WILL ONLY GET 60 % OF WHAT I OWE! NOW I ONLY DRIVE AROUND HOME NOT TO WORK SO MUCH FOR BUILT FORD TOUGH, DRIVING MY NEW KIA TO WORK JUST SAD! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT FILLS THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE SPRAYS OUT OF THE TANK. THE FUEL NOZZLE STOPS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS NOT FULL. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, AND POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

CAR HAD DIED APPROX. 4 TIMES BEFORE LEADING UP TO THIS EVENT. ON EACH PRIOR OCCASION WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. WHEN WE CONTACTED FORD DEALER IN OK, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. WE ATTRIBUTED IT TO BAD FUEL BECAUSE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS WITH FORD. THEN CAR DIED FOR NO REASON, COULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. FORD REPAIR SHOP THOUGHT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT WHICH THEY REPLACED THEN THEY STILL COULDN'T GET IT TO START. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER HAD SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND THAT WAS WHY IT WOULDN'T START TO A TUNE OF $1100.0 WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAD 40,100 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED @ 36,000 MILES. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER, GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING. SITS BELOW EMPTY, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. FOR A FEW DAYS IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN THEN JUST WENT DOWN AND HAS NEVER MOVED AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS NOW. HAVE TO USE TRIPOMETER TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC HOPING IT WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. HE SAID IT WAS IN THE FUEL TANK AND TO CHECK IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AMAZINGLY THERE ARE ALOT! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS EXHIBITED A FILM AND DIRT BUILD UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,100.

2 DAYS AGO THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 EXPLORER BEGAN TO HESITATE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE NEXT MORNING WHILE ON MY WAY TO A SERVICE STATION, IT SLIPPED OUT OF 2ND AND NEVER FOUND 3RD... THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP. I COULD SHIFT ON THE COLUMN SO I DID THAT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER RUNNING SOME TESTS, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT 3RD GEAR WAS "GONE" AND THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND I'VE SPENT 1.5 YEARS OF THOSE THREE IN THE DESERT... THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BLOW AFTER 3 YEARS REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT FOR 1.5 YEARS OF IT, IT WASN'T DRIVEN REGULARLY. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS AND TAKE CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD. *TR

PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING OFF ALONG TOP OF ROOF NEAR FRONT AND REAR. FORD SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. THEY SAY I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH EVIDENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT LONGER TO MY CAR. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L V6 28,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 7, 2005 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE END OF JUNE 2008 (INTERMITTENT LOSS OF FUEL GAUGE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON DASH LIGHT) CALLED THE FORD DEALER ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2008. WE WERE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK ENGINE DIED, NO WARNING NO STEERING NO BRAKES, (THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE FAILED TEST MODE LIGHT CAME ON) SHE MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT STARTED UP AS IF EVERYTHING WAS OK, MOMENTS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE MOVING. SHE DROVE IT TO MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY CAR HOME. *TR

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION 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. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I REPORTED IT. I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR ANYTHING TO BE REPAINTED ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE A CANNISTER WITHIN THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILAGE WAS 142,202.

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 LOUD. *TR

BOTH SUN VISORS IN MY 2005 EXPLORER BROKE WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER. THE SMALL PLASTIC HOLDER ON EACH OF THEM SHATTER INTO MICROSCOPIC PIECES WITH NOTHING ON THE VISORS. NO CD HOLDERS OR SUNGLASSES EITHER. THEY JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY WERE BOTH FOLDED UP AND NOT BEING USED. IT WAS VERY STRANGE. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT DANGLED BY A WIRE THAT COULD NOT BE CUT DUE TO WHAT IT WAS CONNECTED TO. I TRIED ELECTRICAL TAPE AND ANYTHING I COULD THINK OF BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. I COULD NOT GET AN APPT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH THIS OBSTRUCTION FOR 2 DAYS. NOT ONLY WAS IT ANNOYING BUT IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. IT COST ME $205.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND I FEEL LIKE THIS COULD BE A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MORE COMPLAINTS ONLINE BY SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 63,000 MILES. FORD ONLY COVERS THE PAINT JOB IF THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION: STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW CONSTANT. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF FULL, AFTER WHICH THE GAUGE WORKS PROPERLY. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. A SCAN OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NO PROGRAM IN PLACE TO FIX IT. SINCE THE GAUGE IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON, THAT LIGHT CANNOT ALERT ME TO OTHER POTENTIAL FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $500. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE REAR AXLE SEAL STARTED LEAKING AND HE COULD SMELL THE FLUIDS. HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,732 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

2005 FORD EXPLORER GAS GAUGE FAILURE. 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN TWO YEARS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD IT FIXED. NOW IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. THE GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE 'SERVICE ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON. I AM DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT IN THE TANK. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER - FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND ALSO FUEL GAUGE READS E THEN EMISSION LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A KNOWN DEFECT. MY VEHICLE HAD THIS TO HAPPEN AT 32,800 MILES AND I ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR HIGHWAY ACCIDENT. BY MY CHACKS FORD IS AWARE BUT IS NOT CONCERNED SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO CHIP OFF. I WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS IT WAS RUSTED, HOWEVER NOW WHAT BEGAN AS A CHIP HAS GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY AN 18IN CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY VEHICLE. FORD HAS INDICATED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE DEFECT HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

CONTINUOUS AND REPETITIVE MALFUNCTION OF GAS GAUGE. IT OCCURS VERY OFTEN AND IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS. ADDITIVE HAS BEEN ADDED TO NO AVAIL, I THINK FORD JUST WANTS OWNERS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND PURPOSELY CONTINUES TO DESIGN VEHICLES LIKE THIS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN...WHAT IF I RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE FREEZING COLD WITH TWO BABIES? *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEAR NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BELOW THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE FUELED IT SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS FILLING THE TANK TO THE TOP. EVERY TIME I HAVE FILLED THE VEHICLE UP, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE MILEAGE TILL EMPTY INDICATOR SHOWS JUST DASHES. IN ADDITION TO THE GAUGE DROPPING TO EMPTY MY "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLY JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE SO I FIGURED I'D HAVE IT FIXED. THEN OUT OF CURIOSITY I DECIDED TO CHECK ONLINE AND WITH OTHER FELLOW OWNERS OF THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER MODEL TO SEE IF THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE DISTURBS ME MAINLY BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GOD FORBID MY WIFE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 14-MONTH-OLD SON AND RUNS OUT OF FUEL DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE ON A DESERTED DARK HIGHWAY. SINCE THIS WAS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO COME ONLINE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. BUT I DID NOT FIND THAT. ALL I FOUND WAS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. NOW MY QUESTION IS, WHY HASNT THERE BEEN A RECALL YET WITH AN UPDATED PART FOR REPLACEMENT? IF SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME AND ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU *TR

I BOUGHT ONE OF THE SHARPEST SUV'S I EVER SAW - A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 6 CYLINDER. IT STARTED RANDOMLY DYING ON ME LIKE THE OTHERS I HAVE READ ABOUT (70+ ON THE INTERSTATE WAS THE MOST INTERESTING!) THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE A CABLE FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE THROTTLE; THE COMPUTER TAKES THE REQUEST FROM THE PEDAL AND THEN THE COMPUTER OPENS THE THROTTLE. SO, IF THE COMPUTER CAN'T "SEE" WHAT THE THROTTLE IS ACTUALLY DOING, THAT COULD BE A BAD THING, AND FOR SAFETY REASONS, SHUTS EVERYTHING DOWN (FORD'S SO CALLED FMEM "LIMP HOME MODE"). WELL, I REPLACED THE TPS, AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND IN RETURN FOR 90 DOLLARS, THEY PLUGGED A BOX INTO MY SUV, PUSHED A BUTTON AND THEN TOLD ME THE PCM WAS BAD. THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) IS THE MAIN BRAIN FOR THE CAR. EVERYTHING IS EITHER DIRECTLY CONTROLLED BY IT, OR BY A SUBMODULE (SRS, 4WD, ABS, EATC, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TPMS, AND VCM) THAT IT DIRECTLY CONTROLS. HERE IS THE RUB: CONSIDER PEOPLE THAT LOSE A LIMB, BUT CONTINUE TO FEEL ITS' PRESENCE. THAT'S' BECAUSE EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF REAL TIME DATA FROM THE LIMB, THE BRAIN HAS A PROBLEM AND 'THINKS' IT SEES THE LIMB. IN CASE THE ANALOGY ISN'T CLEAR, IF THE PCM BEGINS TO FAIL, IT MIGHT SAY *ANY* SENSOR IS FAILING. BUT THE SENSOR IS FINE ' THE BRAIN IS 'BROKEN'. IF IT IS BROKEN DUE TO A HEAT OR VIBRATION ISSUE, IT CAN WORK PERFECTLY FOR HOWEVER LONG, THEN JUST GO NUTS FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THAT'S WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST ' THIS PCM CONTROLS EVERYTHING, RIGHT? WHAT HAPPENS IF IT COMMANDS THE THROTTLE TO WIDE OPEN, COMMANDS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT TO 1ST, THEN FIRES THE AIRBAGS? CAN YOU PROVE IT COULDN'T? MY PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL IS THAT AN EMISSIONS CONTROL ITEM LIKE THE PCM SHOULDN'T FAIL IN THREE YEARS. FORD SHOULD JUST FIX IT INSTEAD OF CHARGING A GRAND PLUS LABOR. ALL OF THESE OTHERS HAVING INTERMITTENT SURGING, STALLING FAILSAFE MODE AND THROTTLE ISSUES I AM BETTING IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ACT ERRATIC . IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN , THEN IT WOULD GO TO BELOW EMPTY . IN LATE MAY THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON THE ENTIRE TIME . I HAVE NO WARRANTY AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT . TODAY IT STARTED TO STUMBLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT . I AM DISABLED AND I CANT AFFORD 770 $ . THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES ON IT . I AM TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT THE PUMP/FUEL SENDER/ GAS CAP SENDER UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION , BECAUSE A VEHICLE THIS NEW SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM . *TR

5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 2005 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 EDDIE BAUER, SLIPS/FAILS TO CHANGE GEARS USUALLY EITHER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (PASSING SLOWER VEHICLES, UPHILL DOWNSHIFTING) AND ALSO HAS A SEVERE DELAY IN ENGAGING IN REVERSE (3-5 SECONDS) I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE TWO ISSUES COULD RESULT IN A SEVERE OR DEADLY ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, USUALLY RESULTING IN FORD DEALER NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN AND FEEL THAT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION "CAN'T FIND THE GEAR" , ANOTHER VEHICLE COULD STRIKE MINE. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES . *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVING ON A TWISTY COASTAL HIGHWAY, ABOUT 35 MPH, TURNED WHEEL TO FOLLOW RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL, OR TO THE BRAKES. I HAD TO WRENCH THE WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP FROM DRIVING OFF OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY PULLED TO THE SIDE, TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS, REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION. I REINSERTED KEY, CAR STARTED AND RAN AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 MILES, ABOUT 40 MINUTES, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AGAIN-NO WARNING, JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SMALL WRENCH ICON LIT UP, AND DIGITAL DISPLAY MESSAGE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" APPEARED. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THIS WARNING MESSAGE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FORD DEALER SERVICE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY HAVE TOLD ME A SENSOR ON A BELT WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF ITS PULLEY, AND THAT SENSOR WAS THEREFORE UNABLE TO SENSE THE CRANKSHAFT, AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WHY THIS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE, OR WHAT MEASURES COULD BE DONE TO ASSURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS ENGINE SHUTOFF HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE, BUT BOTH TIMES THE ROAD WAS UNCROWDED, AND STRAIGHT, AND THE CAR RAN FINE AFTER STARTING BACK UP, SO I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. BUT THE IDEA THAT I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD, OFF A CLIFF (!) AND DIED, OR HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND THIS SAME THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED, THIS TO ME IS TERRIFYING, AND UNACCEPTABLE. I REALIZE THERE IS INHERENT RISK IN DRIVING A CAR, BUT POTENTIALLY LETHAL MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE AMONG THOSE RISKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT DROVE ANOTHER 20 MILES BEFORE IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE, IT TOOK THE CONTACT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,113.

MY ACCELERATOR ON A 2005 FORD EXPLORER STUCK AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR