2005 FORD EXPLORER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

604

Owner Complaints

30 Crashes 8 Fires 1 Death

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

6

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has received a total of 604 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebody (107 complaints), Power Train (49 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (40 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER, potentially affecting up to 90,777 vehicles.

Recall 07E104000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

| 1,657 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

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 REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE...

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Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 27,176 vehicles affected

Defect: 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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

604 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Structurebody
Complaints: 107 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 49 2 Crashes
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 40 1 Injury
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 38 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 34 5 Crashes 2 Fires
Electrical System
Complaints: 32 1 Fire
Structure
Complaints: 25
Engine
Complaints: 17 2 Fires
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 17
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate
Complaints: 16
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 16
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 14
Wheels
Complaints: 14 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 12 1 Crash
Visibility
Complaints: 12
Air Bags
Complaints: 11 5 Crashes 7 Injuries 1 Death
Steering
Complaints: 10 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Injury
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 6
Suspension
Complaints: 6
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 6
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 5 2 Crashes
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 5
Tires
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Injury
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 4
Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock
Complaints: 4
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 4
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 4
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 4
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 3
Structurebodytailgate
Complaints: 3
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 3
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 2
Equipment
Complaints: 2
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagestailgatelatch
Complaints: 2
Parking Brake
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 2
Seat Belts
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 2
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 1
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringscoil Springs
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Wheelslugsnutsboltsstuds
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11573106 | ENGINE | | 179,000 miles
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.
#11501514 | ENGINE | | 130,000 miles
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.
#11492889 | POWER TRAIN | | 93,434 miles
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.
#11482456 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | | 120,000 miles
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.
#11437921 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
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

View all Structurebody complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 FORD EXPLORER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

Ford Motor Company has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

051017 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ON WITH PCM DTC P0463, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DTC B1201 AND OR FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY-VEHICLES BUILT 8/2/2004 THROUGH 4/7/2005. *SC

18573 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NO START/HARD START ON COLD SOAK. *TT

0538 — STEERING

INCREASED TURNING EFFORT DURING LOW SPEED SHARP TURNS FALSE 4X4 ENGAGEMENT. *EH

04197 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) P0172 AND/OR P0175. *TT

042112 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ROUGH IDLE IN DRIVE. *EH

061710 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MIL ON WITH P0463 OR ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE OPERATION. *KB

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 FORD EXPLORER

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2005 FORD EXPLORER.

Investigation PE09020 — STEERING Closed

Opened:

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS

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