Complaints
604
per 10K Sold
25.2
US Sales
239,788
Crashes
30
Fires
8
Injuries
16
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2005 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1107 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:87,968 mi
#249 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:95,414 mi
Crash-related:2
#340 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:61,386 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Structure | 107 | — | — | 87,968 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 49 | 2 | — | 95,414 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 40 | — | — | 61,386 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 38 | 1 | — | 69,126 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 34 | 5 | 2 | 70,093 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 32 | — | 1 | 85,406 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 25 | — | — | 68,248 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 17 | — | 2 | 124,481 mi | |
| Fuel System | 17 | — | — | 89,076 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 16 | — | — | 74,309 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 14 | — | — | 61,885 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 14 | 1 | — | 98,137 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 | 1 | — | 43,540 mi | |
| Visibility | 12 | — | — | 56,544 mi | |
| Airbags | 11 | 5 | — | 71,069 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | 2 | 1 | 76,560 mi | |
| Brakes | 8 | 1 | — | 102,597 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | — | — | 44,467 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 78,490 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 6 | — | — | 31,607 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 5 | — | — | 4,767 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 2 | — | 46,933 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 | — | — | 59,683 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 54,625 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 2 | — | — |
Body Structure
107
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,968
Transmission / Drivetrain
49
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,414
Automatic Transmission
40
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,386
Gasoline Fuel System
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,126
Unintended Acceleration
34
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
2
Avg Miles
70,093
Electrical Faults
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
85,406
Structural Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,248
Engine Problems
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
124,481
Fuel System
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,076
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,309
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,885
Wheel Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,137
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,540
Visibility
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,544
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,069
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,560
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,597
Fuel System, Other
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,467
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,490
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,607
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
4,767
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,933
Suspension:Rear
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,683
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,625
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
2005 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2005 Ford Explorer has 604 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 107 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2005 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (107 complaints, avg 87,968 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (49 complaints, avg 95,414 mi); Automatic Transmission (40 complaints, avg 61,386 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,690 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2005 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Ford Explorer include 30 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2005 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2005 Ford Explorer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2005 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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