MYRModel Year Report

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

● Typical for this model
2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:53:16.706Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
66
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2001: 167 complaints 2001 2002: 144 complaints 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2005: 66 complaints 2005 66 2006: 5 complaints 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints
1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 167 complaints 2001 2002: 144 complaints 2002 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2004 2005: 66 complaints 2005 66 2006: 5 complaints 2006 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints 2010
1997: 6 complaints 1997 1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 167 complaints 2001 2002: 144 complaints 2002 2003: 78 complaints 2003 2004: 86 complaints 2004 2005: 66 complaints 2005 66 2006: 5 complaints 2006 2007: 100 complaints 2007 2008: 23 complaints 2008 2009: 6 complaints 2009 2010: 31 complaints 2010

2005: 66 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19976
19985
19990
20003
2001167
2002144
200378
200486
200566
20065
2007100
200823
20096
201031

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Structure

18% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

The front, driver's side, tire came apart and caused considerable damage to my vehicle's body and possibly other damages not seen. I need to take the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection to see if there are other damages.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-21

Electrical system

17% · 11 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the contact stated while vehicle was parked for two hours a it caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company, no reports have been filed .

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-12-09

As I was driving to work one morning suddenly my headlights and all interior lights, such as the dashboard, suddenly went out without any warning and nothing electrical would work such as the radio and the windows and all the gauges in the dash...

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-06-02

My 2005 Explorer Sport Trac had a check engine light come on and when it does, my instrument cluster stops working. My tachometer, speedometer, temp, and fuel gauges stop working. Here lately, my radio and power windows have stopped working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-29

Fuel/propulsion system

15% · 10 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle accelerated when the brake was deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-02-10

Also filed under Service brakes

Air bags

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I got into an accident where I hit a semi head on and at 40 mph and the airbags never deployed. I got hurt and may seek a lawyer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 fort Explorer Sport Trac. While driving 50 MPH during a storm, the vehicle began to hydroplane and collided with a tree. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-08

Fuel system, gasoline

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing delivery.

INJURY

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2009-04-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-08-19 Vehicle rollaway allegations

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.