2005 Ford Explorer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Explorer years
- Fewer complaints than other years 20th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 497 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Explorer. That ranks 20th out of 33 Explorer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (151 complaints, 30%), typically at around 77,300 miles. Complaints mention 22 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
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- 497owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 22complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 Ford Explorer problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure problems | 151 | 30% | 77,300 | “lift gate” (16%) | — |
| Power Train problems | 99 | 20% | 75,000 | “park reverse” (6%) | $3,600 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 44 | 9% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 40 | 8% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 36 | 7% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 29 | 6% | 44,113 | — | — |
| Visibility | 23 | 5% | 53,168 | — | — |
| Engine | 17 | 3% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 17 | 3% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 16 | 3% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 15 | 3% | 63,500 | — | — |
| Suspension | 15 | 3% | 62,376 | — | — |
| Wheels | 15 | 3% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 12 | 2% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 11 | 2% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 10 | 2% | 25,962 | — | — |
| Tires | 10 | 2% | 68,874 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 2% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 2% | 48,684 | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 1% | 68,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 1% | 128,560 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 36,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 1% | 133,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 0% | 33,551 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0% | 14,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 0% | 113,641 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 0% | 61,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 Ford Explorer recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2005 Ford Explorer.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Vehicle Rollaway Allegations (EA09013) — opened Aug 18, 2009, closed Feb 12, 2013.
- Vehicle rollaway allegations (PE09020) — opened Apr 21, 2009, closed Aug 19, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle independently jerked forward. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound and shaking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the timing…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle jerked backwards while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the top panel of the rear liftgate. The contact was concerned that the rear liftgate would fracture if she opened the liftgate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The…
I sitting on a incline put it in reverse and started backing up and the transmission just let loose and started rolling forward it's done this several times and sometimes it want back up at all even on level ground had it checked it was full of fluid but done a fluid and filter changed. And it…
Other Ford Explorer years
← 2004 Explorer · 2006 Explorer →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Explorer | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Explorer | 42 | 14 |
| 2025 Explorer | 103 | 20 |
| 2024 Explorer | 21 | 10 |
| 2023 Explorer | 110 | 15 |
| 2022 Explorer | 269 | 24 |
| 2021 Explorer | 442 | 26 |
| 2020 Explorer | 1,232 | 33 |
| 2019 Explorer | 299 | 6 |
| 2018 Explorer | 733 | 7 |
| 2017 Explorer | 1,699 | 13 |
| 2016 Explorer | 2,461 | 14 |
| 2015 Explorer | 1,806 | 8 |
| 2014 Explorer | 1,679 | 6 |
| 2013 Explorer | 2,236 | 11 |
| 2012 Explorer | 829 | 5 |
| 2011 Explorer | 1,197 | 6 |
| 2010 Explorer | 115 | 1 |
| 2009 Explorer | 33 | 0 |
| 2008 Explorer | 148 | 1 |
| 2007 Explorer | 208 | 1 |
| 2006 Explorer | 630 | 1 |
| 2005 | 497 | 0 |
| 2004 Explorer | 1,304 | 0 |
| 2003 Explorer | 1,131 | 2 |
| 2002 Explorer | 3,295 | 4 |
| 2001 Explorer | 375 | 6 |
| 2000 Explorer | 952 | 9 |
| 1999 Explorer | 1,348 | 9 |
| 1998 Explorer | 1,959 | 9 |
| 1997 Explorer | 1,731 | 7 |
| 1996 Explorer | 1,450 | 6 |
| 1995 Explorer | 843 | 5 |
See all Ford Explorer problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
Similar Ford models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Explorer?
Owners most often report structure, power train, vehicle speed control problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 151 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Ford Explorer?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2005 Ford Explorer a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Explorer model years, the 2005 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.