Total Complaints
604 filings
FORD EXPLORER · model year
604 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005FORDEXPLORER carries 604 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 8 fires, 16 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 EXPLORER is structure:body with 107 filings, followed by power train (49) and power train:automatic transmission (40). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 13 investigation files overlapping the 2005 EXPLORER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
604 filings
Crashes Reported
30 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 107 |
| POWER TRAIN | 49 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 40 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 38 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 34 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 32 |
| STRUCTURE | 25 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 17 |
| ENGINE | 17 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 16 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 14 |
| WHEELS | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 12 |
| VISIBILITY | 12 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDER
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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
Mileage: 179,000
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 chain was fractured, and a plastic piece had detached. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 130,000
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 duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 93,434.
Mileage: 93,434
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
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 still doesn't back up at times or when backing it stops backing and will go forward drifting
2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION ISSUES. VERY COMMON ON THIS MODEL, BASED ON CUSTOMER/CAR OWNERS COMPLAINTS. REVERSE IS AFFECTED. COULD NOT REVERSE QUICKLY, ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING CAR. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHILDREN!!!!
Mileage: 99,000
2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION ISSUES. VERY COMMON ON THIS MODEL, BASED ON CUSTOMER/CAR OWNERS COMPLAINTS. REVERSE IS AFFECTED. COULD NOT REVERSE QUICKLY, ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING CAR. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE CHILDREN!!!!
Mileage: 99,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT FOUR OF FIVE WHEELS STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF. THE WHEEL STUDS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Mileage: 165,000
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ALL THE ELECTRICAL TURNS OFF LIKE THE KEY IS TURNED OFF. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR SLOWED QUICKLY. I AM CONCERNED AS THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. EITHER FORD SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE OR PULL THIS CAR OUT OF SERVICE BEFORE SOMEBODY IS KILLED.
Mileage: 120,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THEN ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO THEY PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, WHICH WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE OIL SENSOR NOT PROPERLY INFORMING THE CONTACT WHEN THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER CAPITAL CITY FORD LOCATED AT 8623 E. WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APP
Mileage: 250,406
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THEN ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO THEY PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, WHICH WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE OIL SENSOR NOT PROPERLY INFORMING THE CONTACT WHEN THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER CAPITAL CITY FORD LOCATED AT 8623 E. WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APP
Mileage: 250,406
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE THEN ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE CLOSE TO HOME SO THEY PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, WHICH WAS LOW. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE OIL SENSOR NOT PROPERLY INFORMING THE CONTACT WHEN THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER CAPITAL CITY FORD LOCATED AT 8623 E. WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APP
Mileage: 250,406
METAL SEAT FRAME BAR COMING THROUGH OUTSIDE OF DRIVERS SEAT.. I AM 5' 3" TALL, 125 LBS...NOT FROM OVER WEIGHT DRIVER.. VERY PROMINENT METAL BAR MAKES SEAT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT ON. LUMBAR SUPPORT DIDNT LAST 5 YEARS...SEAT DANGEROUS TO ANYONE SITTING ON IT.
REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT. THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 120,313
REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT. THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 120,313
REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT. THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Mileage: 120,313
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A BACKYARD, DROVE OVER A CURB, DROVE THROUGH A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES AND A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CRASH WAS NOT IN RELATION TO ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,673.
Mileage: 108,673
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A BACKYARD, DROVE OVER A CURB, DROVE THROUGH A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES AND A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CRASH WAS NOT IN RELATION TO ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,673.
Mileage: 108,673
I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OFF/
Mileage: 100,000
1) ABS, BRAKE, AND WRENCH FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHED ON FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND TURNED OFF WHEN DECELERATING WITH CRUISE CONTROL FROM 55 MPH TO 45 MPH ZONES AT COURLAND, VA. VEHICLE MANUAL PROVIDES NO GUIDANCE ON THIS FAILURE MODE; ONLY 'WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AND CONTINUE FLASHING, REDUCE SPEED AND TAKE VEHICLE TO NEAREST SERVICE PROVIDER' AND 'WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON AND STAY ON, STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST SERVICE PROVIDER.' 2) APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, DRIVER BEGAN APPLYING BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND SLOW FROM 60 MPH TO 35 MPH SCHOOL ZONE SPEED ABOUT 50 TO 60 M BEFORE SCHOOL ZONE WARNING SIGN AT CAPRON ELEMENTARY, VA, ON STATE HIGHWAY 58. 3) DRIVER CHECKED SPEED UPON ENTERING SCHOOL ZONE AND FOUND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STILL ON AND VEHICLE STILL TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. DEPRESSED BRAKE APPROXIMATELY 1/3 TOTAL BRAKING RANGE (4 CM), WHICH SHOULD HAVE LOCKED THE BRAKES AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP. NO EFFECT. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT RE
Mileage: 130,100
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.