2005 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (94) · Power Train (42) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (37)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
430 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Engine 2012-08-01 · TSB-12-8-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery after keep alive memory (kam) clear. models 2003-05 thunderbird, 05-06 mustang, 06-08 fusion, 04-05 explorer, 05-06 expedit
Engine 2012-07-10 · TSB-12-7-4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford/lincoln/mercury: if battery was disconnected or dead, vehicles/trucks may experience hard starts and engine idle rpm fluctuation and exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0505, p0506, p2111 and p2112. *pe
Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal 2009-05-01 · TSB-08-19-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-21 · Engine · 179,000 mi“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 app…”
2023-01-12 · Engine · 130,000 mi“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 detache…”
2022-11-09 · Power Train · 93,434 mi“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 manufacture…”
2022-09-01 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate · 120,000 mi“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 f…”
2021-10-23 · Power Train“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…”
2021-05-10 · Unknown Or Other · 99,000 mi“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!!!!…”
2020-09-28 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · 165,000 mi“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 …”
2020-09-25 · Electrical System · 120,000 mi“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. eith…”
2020-08-19 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 250,406 mi“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 tra…”
2019-08-27 · Seats“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.