ford Explorer problems
0 safety recalls. 568 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD BEFORE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS…
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BEGINING TO SLIP, SOON WILL AHVE NO 4TH GEAR OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE IS UP TO DATE WITH MATINANACE AND EVERYTHING MILEAGE IS STILL BELOW 95,000 MILES. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE THAT THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN REPORTED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THEY BELIEVE IT COULD BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, SOLENOID, OR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL SILL PLATE ON THE LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Ford Explorer reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 568 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Ford Explorer is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Ford Explorer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 153 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Ford Explorer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 568 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.