10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,293 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #16

Jan 122022

Explorer

  • 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.

- Wood River, IL, USA

problem #15

May 192010

Explorer

  • 99,000 miles
2005 Ford Explorer transmission issues. Very common on this model, based on customer/car owners complaints. Reverse is affected. Could not reverse quickly, almost hit by oncoming car. Very dangerous. I have children!!!!

- Gallipolis, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 122020

Explorer

  • 250,406 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle then abruptly accelerated at a high rate of speed without the accelerator pedal being depressed. Also, the low oil pressure warning light and check transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that they were close to home so they pulled into the driveway to check the oil level, which was low. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the engine bearing needed to be repaired due to damage caused by a defective oil sensor not properly informing the contact when the oil level was low. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact contacted the dealer capital city Ford located at 8623 E. Washington St, indianapolis, in 46219) who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,406. Invalid VIN.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #13

May 202018

Explorer

  • miles
Something wrong with the tire pressure the light stays on in the message board and a message with the brake system also stays on and it stalls while im in motion on the hwy and streets and takes awhile to move foward again. I

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #12

Aug 252017

Explorer

  • 162,000 miles
While driving down the interstate at night my vehicles dashboard began to act erratic. Then the battery gauge rapidly dropped into the red zone. Within about 3 miles I lost my interior power, headlights, taillights, and signals including my hazard lights. When limping off the interstate my truck had lost enough power to where it died out. Once at the dealership it was found that the alternator fried out causing a surge that wiped out the PCM and utility cluster all without warning.

- Laona, WI, USA

problem #11

Sep 172016

Explorer

  • 110,000 miles
Vehicle engine while traveling, generally at high rates of speed greater than 40mph, will randomly turn off. There are no warning lights, no indication on the instrument panel. The engine just turns off. The only way of knowing is once the gas pedal is depressed to increase speed and then realized the car had turned off. This is happening more frequently. I had to by a new car. Explorer just sits in the driveway. This happen randomly with no notice and generally while traveling at speeds above 40 mph

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #10

May 022016

Explorer

  • 95,000 miles
Car stalled while driving at highway speeds. Brakes and steering became impaired. Lucky, I was in the rightmost lane and was able to narrowly avoid collision. Incident occurred after a ~3hr drive as I was exiting the highway (I.e. slowing down). Upon restart, engine turned over, but was undriveable due to iterative surge/stall cycles.

- Loudonville, NY, USA

problem #9

Apr 152014

Explorer

  • 150,000 miles
Im not sure if this should be with engine section but I didn't see a transmission part. I was driving my SUV and transmission light in the message center came on and said, over drive on /off kept flashing. Took to a body shop nearby they diagnosed the problem to be the transmission. With further investigation mechanic told me that second / third gear was gone. I ended up spending $4500 for new transmission to be installed. The mechanic informed me that it is a common problem with the 2005 Ford Explorer.

- Brunswick, MD, USA

problem #8

Aug 202014

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the traction control warning light remained illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned that there was a reduction in engine power. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Meridian, MS, USA

problem #7

Jun 022014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
My son was driving home at approximately 35 mph at 10:30 pm and the vehicle shut off completely. He was able to re-start it. There were no maintenance lights on. I bought this car for my teenage son in April 2014 and this is the 3rd time it has happened to him. A mechanic checked it out, but could not find anything wrong with the car. Not sure what to do now, and my son is leaving for college in August and driving his vehicle.

- Pfafftown, NC, USA

problem #6

Mar 182011

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Because of the recent GM recall ignition issue, I thought I should let someone know about the serious similar issue I had 3 times before I traded my car in. The car would just shut off while driving. And all 3 times, I pulled to the side of the road and restarted the car and continued on my way. I was lucky to have a place to pull over safely. I took it to my mechanic twice, found nothing wrong. Took it to Ford and they found nothing wrong. I traded the 2005 for a 2011. I also told the dealer that I traded it into about the engine just shutting off for no reason and to check out the problem before they sold it again.

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 102014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 126,341 miles
Car suddenly quit and the engine fail safe light came on. Computer scan showed the throttle actuator/control was stuck closed, and could clear any codes. Vehicle would not move at all.. I had to have it towed back to my home. Engine would not run at more than an idle with the accelerator fully depressed, and there would be no change in the RPM.

- Lynchburg, OH, USA

problem #4

Jan 162014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
Had fueled (full) 2 hours before. Gas gauge dropped to empty. Miles to empty shows dashes. Service engine soon light is on.

- Eatonville, WA, USA

problem #3

Oct 032012

Explorer

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the technician diagnosed that the thermostat housing piece had melted and caused the leak. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 113,000.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #2

Sep 062013

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles
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. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #1

Nov 082012

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 58,944 miles
The engine had been behaving strange. There was a "tinking" sound, like when you hit metal against metal, and the engine would slip out of gear when under speed control. The vehicle was driven the night before with no problems. The next morning it tried to turn over but couldn't start. The local Ford dealership says the sprocket jack shaft broke, controls cam broke, there were bent valves, lifters were hit with the jack shaft and cams were hit too. The engine hydro-locked, ruining the top of the engine. I called the national Ford complaint center. Ford said it would not offer any financial assistance for putting in a new motor.

- Caribou, ME, USA