2005 Ford Explorer

▲ Better than typical
2005 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3294 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1196 complaints 2012: 824 complaints 2013: 2229 complaints 2014: 1674 complaints 2014 2015: 1771 complaints 2016: 2443 complaints 2017: 1677 complaints 2018: 720 complaints 2019: 291 complaints 2020: 1198 complaints 2020 2021: 412 complaints 2022: 257 complaints 2023: 106 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 95 complaints 2026: 29 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints 2027
2005: 497 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941231
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023294
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111196
2012824
20132229
20141674
20151771
20162443
20171677
2018720
2019291
20201198
2021412
2022257
2023106
202419
202595
202629
20270

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

STRUCTURE 31%

31% of complaints: structure — 154 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.

INJURY
POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 44 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190312

Also filed under AIR BAGS

WHILE TURNING AROUND IN A LARGE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED CAUSING IT TO RUN INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE (MINOR) ALSO RIPPING OFF THE RUNNING BOARD AFTER...

NHTSA ODI report, 20050924

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuel pump.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE EVENTUALLY DIED WITHOUT BEING EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130906

Also filed under ENGINE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060403 — 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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — 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 N

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080115 — visibility

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

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIM

Campaign 07E104000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090421 — PE (closed 20090819)

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS

I 20090818 — EA (closed 20130212)

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (154 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E104000 (visibility) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Ford Explorer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Ford Explorer is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Explorer?

The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Explorer have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.