NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The dash cluster don't work cant see your rpms,speed,the fuel gauge gos up and down can't see milage or trip meter if you hit the dash it will work but go out going down the road and I researched it and its a common issue and I cant aford a new dash cluster I got a speeding ticket yesterday because I couldn't see my speed and there was no one in front of me to go off of i was going 15 over
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 dropped to zero or the needle fell all the way to the left. This has become an ongoing problem and I never know when it's going to go out or come back on for that matter and sometimes when it's acting crazy My speedometer will just jump all over the place. I believe this is a safety issue not only for myself but for other drivers on the road as my lights may suddenly go out as I am driving to work at 4:00 a.m. when it is dark. It is also a safety issue because when this happens I have no idea what speed I am driving or how much gas I have left or if my vehicle is starting to get hot. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer or anywhere else for fear of it costing an arm and a leg to fix the problem, as every single Ford that I have ever owned seems to have had some type of electrical issue. I do have video of my gauges going crazy as I am driving on the highway; however looking ahead in this form it looks as if I can only submit photos and not a video.
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.
THE FAN BLADES HAD MANY BIG CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC BLADES,THE DRIVER DOOR THE BODY IS CRACKED BY TOP OF DOOR HING BACK DOOR IS THE SAME, THE PAINT IS PEALING AND STARTING TO RUST ON TOP.THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT CRACKED.
MY TRUCK'S STEERING COLUMN IS TIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD LOCK UP OR BREAK OFF. THE KEY IS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION; THE GEAR SHIFTER IS TIGHT TO SWITCH FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS IS OCCURRING WHEN I START THE TRUCK, THEN IT SEEMS TO BE FINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE MECHANISMS TO ENABLE A SMOOTH START. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I WORRY THAT IT COULD LEAVE ME STRANDED OR THE STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK UP. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE?
FORD INERTIA SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND PROPULSION, CAUSING MY POWER STEERING TO GO OFF AS WELL AS ALL INSTRUMENTATION TO TURN OFF, WHILE MOVING AT 65 MPH. THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON FIND AN EXIT AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION, AND ONE THAT VERY WELL COULD HAVE ENDED IN DEATH. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT IT OCCURS VERY SPORADIC AND IT'S VERY HARD TO TROUBLESHOOT OR RECREATE THE FAULT.
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. THE TIRE IS A GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A. THE DOT # IS 4B08 DLWR 3701. TIRE SIZE P235/70R16. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-75 WHEN THE TIRE CAME APART. IT WAS TERRIBLY SCARY. I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART. I PULLED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REALIZED THE TIRE HAD COME APART. THE RUBBER COMING OFF THE TIRE CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF BODY DAMAGE. THE VISIBLE DAMAGES INCLUDE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT, RUBBER RIPPED OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER, MOLDING UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS RIPPED OUT, PAINT DAMAGE, TIRE WELL DAMAGE AND LOOSENING OF OTHER MOLDING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. A MECHANIC WILL HAVE TO INSPECT FOR UNSEEN DAMAGES.
I WAS DRIVING FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFTER WORK WAS OVER GOT HOME AN PARKED IT WENT TO LEAVE TO GO TO THE STORE AN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WAS THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR I REPLACED IT AN IT DROVE PERFECTLY FINE I HAD IT SERVICED FOR OIL AN TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH AFTER THAT IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AN AS I DESCRIBED IN THE BEGINNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS O/D FLASHING WOULDN'T GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE SO I REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN THIS TIME IT STILL DID NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT IT HAS 212000 ON IT AN FORD KNOWS THESE GO OUT AN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP I GO TO SAID THEY REPLACE 12 EVERY MOTH CAUSE THIS IS COMMON WITH FORD VEHICLES SO WHY DOE FORD NOT COVER THIS AN WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS ON THIS IN MY OPINION THIS IS A COMPLETE JOKE ON FORD NOW I HAVE TO SPEND 2400 ON REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WHICH I THINK FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING IT FOR FREE KNOWING [XXX] WELL THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT IN THEM FORCING THE OWNER TO PAY THE PRICE FOR NEW ONE IT'S ABSOLUTELY ABSURD FORD NEEDS TO GET THERE HEAD OUT OF THERE ASS AN REPLACE THESE FOR FREE FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PEOPLE ACTUALLY SPEND ON FIXING THERE CARS OIL CHANGES TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHES AND TIRES THAT WE HAVE TO BUY EVERY YEAR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND REPORTED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING AND SHUTS OFF AS WELL. NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH IT, BUT WHEN EVERYTHING STOPS WORKING, I SIT THERE AND HIT THE DASH TO GET THE LIGHTS AND WINDOWS TO START WORKING AGAIN. I USED TO BE ABLE TO HIT THE DASH WITH MY HAND AND GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND THE GAUGES START WORKING. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD STORE AND TALKED TO THEM IN SERVICE, THEY QUOTED ME LIKE $400 FOR A PART AND JUST AS MUCH FOR LABOR, LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO FIX. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING, BUT WITH THE ODOMETER NOT REGISTERING MILES FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS CONSIDERED SALVAGE TITLE BECAUSE IT IS UNKNOWN MILES.
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPLOYED.
THE DRIVER SEAT BACK KEPT FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE DRIVING, NOW THE SEAT BACK DOESN'T MOVE. THE PASSENGER IS DOING THE SAME JUST NOT AS BAD. THE HEATED SEATS COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE SEAT BELTS RANDOMLY LOCK AND BARELY RETRACT.
CLUSTER GOING BAD AND CUTTING POWER TO ENTIRE VEHICLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD , CITY ENVIROMENT
DISCOVERED UNDERNEATH THE BODY WHERE THE BODY AND FRAME MEET FOR THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS, THEY HAVE NEARLY DISINTEGRATED ON ALL FOUR BUSHINGS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THESE BUSHINGS WERE MADE OF SOME INFERIOR FOAM MATERIAL WHEREAS THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE RUBBER AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT WILL COST AROUND $600 TO $1,300 AND IF NOT DONE WILL RESULT IN THE CAB FALLING DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRAME THUS CREATING NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS INCLUDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FAILURE OF THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL SPORT TRACS MADE FROM 2001 TO 2005. THE INCLUDED PICS BEGIN WITH THE DRIVER SIDE (DRIVER SEAT) FRONT BUSHING, DRIVER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING AND FINALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR BUSHINGS (BOTH IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND MADE OF ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL) DISCLAIMER: THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY SALT WATER (BEACH) ENVIRONMENT NOR WINTER WEATHER ENVIRONMENT (WHERE SALT WAS USED), OR MUD RIDING OF ANY TIME NOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH FLOODED AREAS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CONDITION OF THE BUSHINGS. VEHICLE ODOMETER READING IS 125,496.
PUT KIDS IN CAR SEATS. GOT IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND CLOSED DOOR AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FORD IS ACTING LIKE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S EVER HAPPENED BUT I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ONLINE. NOTHING DONE, SO FAR. WAITING TO SEE IF IT IS COVERED ON INSURANCE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BELIEVES VEHICLE IS TOTALED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PUT AIR BAGS BACK IN AND GUARANTEE SAFETY AFTERWARDS.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CUTS OUT AND RESARTS THEN CUTS OUT AGAIN CAUSING NO SPEEDOMETER TACH FUEL GAUGE OIL PRESSURE TEMPERATURE AND VOLTAGE GAUGE TO STOP WORKING. ELECTRIC WINDOWS WON'T WORK RADIO OUT ODOMETER BLANK HAPPENS RANDOMLY IN ANY CONDITION IDLE DRIVING EVERY WHEN NOT IN THE VEHICLE. YOU CAN HEAR THE RELAY CLICKING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. CAUSED ALL MY LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) TO GO OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE DARK ON AN 8 LANE INTERSTATE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO ELECTRIC SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER). FORD SAYS IT IS ON BACK ORDER. NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!
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. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MINOR PAIN IN VARIOUS AREAS OF HIS BODY, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 FORD SPORTRAC DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY. NEEDLE STUCK AT 1/4 TANK AND SOMETIMES WILL MOVE, BUT CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. EVEN AFTER FILLING UP, IT WILL NOT SHOW FULL TANK. HAVE TO USE TRIP METER TO HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN TO RE-FUEL. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND AFTER RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, WE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD VIA RECALLS ON THEIR VEHICLES. IT COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
THIS VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY JUST CUTS OFF. WE HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT COSTLY REPAIRS AND THE TRUCK STILL DOES NOT RUN RIGHT, IT IS STILL CUTTING OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME ANYWHERE, EVEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND ALL THEY DID WAS OPEN A CASE FILE BUT TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2014 AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH IT WAS THAT IT NEEDED THE ROTORS TURNED ON THE BRAKES WHICH WE HAVE DONE. THEN IT STARTED DOING THIS. WE HAVE HAD IT TOWED 6 TIMES IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS. 3 MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE TRUCK WITH NO LUCK. WE ARE TAPPED OUT TRYING TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I FEEL SURE THE GUY WHO SOLD IT TO US KNEW THE TRUCK WAS DOING THIS BUT OPTED NOT TO TELL US. ALSO I BLAME FORD FOR THE PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, EVEN THEIR TECHNICIAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MERGE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WILL SOMETIMES JUST TURN OFF BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKE OR ANYTHING. USUALLY I CAN HEAR A NOISE AND THE GAS PEDAL WILL QUICKLY MOVE UP. ONCE THAT HAPPENS THEN I CAN NO LONGER SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER GETS STUCK AT DIFFERENT SPEED AND THE RPM GAUGE DOES THE SAME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, YOU COULD BE DRIVING FASTER THAN YOU THINK. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. I CAN SOMETIME RESET USING THE TRIP COUNTER RESET BUTTON. THIS PROBLEM SEEM TO BE GETTING WORST. MY SPEEDOMETER SEEM TO BE GETTING STUCK MORE OFTEN NOW AND IT SEEM TO BE GETTING HARDER TO RESET. *TR
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN AND IT STALLED OUT. IT KEPT HAPPENING AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK EVEN WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD FAR TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS FROM WRECKING OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WENT AND HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE SPRING IN THE FUEL RESET SWITCH. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP ONCE MORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON AGAIN. HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST YEAR. IT CLAIMS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL CAP OR THE FUEL LINES. I'VE HAD A PRESSURE TEST DONE AND MY GAS CAP CHANGED AND IT STILL HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. ALSO MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS STARTING TO GET STUCK AND MY FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER REGISTERING THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GAS I HAVE. I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK AND I JUST WANT THEM TO BE FIXED. THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE LEGITIMATE ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
DRIVER SIDE FRONT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD BEEN BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ON THE LAST PULL TO GET IN, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE DRIVER. *TR
THE WINDOW WILL GO DOWN BUT IT WONT GO UP ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS SO HOT, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR. THE CAR STILL GETS SO HOT. I WONDER WHY FORD DISCONTINUE THAT MODEL. *TR
FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW THE PAINT PEALING OFF THE BODY AFTER WASHING IT, FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES, AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING FIGHT WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT THEY WILL ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT WAS A BAD PAINT JOB. AND THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THERE WARRANTY. *TR
I GOT NEW TIRES, THEY SHOW LOW ON AIR, I MEASURE AND NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE MORE AIR THAN THEY SUPPOSED TO HAVE. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRE BRAND ARE FIRESTONE OWL P235/70R16. *TR
THE TIRE LOOKS FLAT, I NOTICE THE TECHNICIAN PUT MORE AIR THAN IT SUPPOSED TO HAVE, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS CRACK FOR NO REASON, JUST BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90S. WE HAVE OTHER CARS AND ALL ARE FINE. I BELIEVE IS THE METAL WHERE THE REAR MIRROR IS MOUNTED. BASED ON MY FORENSIC CLASS, CARS HAVE A LEAST 3 COATS OF PAINT, PRIMER, THE COLOR AND THE CLEAR COAT, THIS CAR ONLY HAS TWO COATS OF PAINT. *TR
TIRE THREAD SEPARATION(S) , SEVERELY VIBRATED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AT ALL SPEED..SEVER TO VERY SEVERE VIBRATION AS SPEED IS GOING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED LIMITS. AT LOW SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HITTING A POT HOLE EVERY TIRE ROTATION. TIRE BRAND: YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 235/65R17 DOT FBLS. INSTALLED IN A 2005 FORD SPORTRAC VIN [XXX] USED JUST OVER 14000 MILES....ALL TIRE PRESSURES, MAINTENANCE AND RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION HAS BEEN SERVICED ON THE SAID VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING RECENTLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. I WASN'T SURE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TRUCK SO I FILLED IT UP AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL DAYS, I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON "F" WHICH I KNOW WASN'T RIGHT, EVENTUALLY THE FUEL GAUGE CAME DOWN SOME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND HAS STAYED ON SINCE. I HAVE ABOUT 67K ON IT NOW. I'VE REALLY ENJOYED THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT'S CHECKUPS. I'M TAKING IT TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IT WILL COST TO FIX. I DON'T LIKE DRIVING AROUND AND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE OR THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I DON'T KNOW IF ITS ON BECAUSE THE GAUGE IS BROKE OR BECAUSE SOMETHING ELSE COULD BE GOING ON WITH THE ENGINE. EITHER WAY, I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO COST ALOT, WHAT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DOESN'T. I'VE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON LINE AND AM SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN MENTIONED ABOUT THIS BY FORD; BUT THEN AGAIN, WHY WOULD FORD WANT TO FIX SOMETHING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY CAN CHARGE THE CUSTOMER AN ARM AND A LEG INSTEAD!!!! *TR
I STARTED SMELLING GAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A GAS CAN I WAS HAULING AROUND. WELL ONE DAY I PULLED MY CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY , AND NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER MY CAR. I GOT DOWN TOO SEE WHAT IT WAS. I SMELLED IT AND IT WAS GAS. I THEN DROPPED THE GAS TANK AND SEEN IT WAS LEAKING AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE. I THEN BOUGHT THE FUEL LINE THINKING THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. TOO MAKE ALONG STORY SHORT IT DIDN'T. IT WAS A REAL EASY TO REPLACE THE LINE. BUT NOW I HAVE TOO REPLACE THE TOP OF TANK TOO. MY POINT IS THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A PART THAT SHOULD LEAK GAS ESPECIALLY WHERE IT MAKES A PUDDLE RIGHT UNDER THE GAS TANK. IMAGINE IF SOMEONE THREW A CIGARETTE UNDER MY CAR, BOOM. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS TO BE RECALLED. I'M NOT GOING TO FIX THIS, FORD SHOULD. BAD APPLICATION. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I PLANNING ON TAKING FORD TO COURT. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING. IT READS BELOW EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS, MOUNTAINEERS AND RANGER HAVING A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMPS IN THIS MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. NOT KNOWING WHEN OR WHERE A VEHICLE WILL RUN OUT OF GAS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NOT KNOWING IF THE FUEL PUMP WILL FAIL IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT COULD BE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR IN A DESOLATE AREA. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES, FORD IS ALSO STILL SELLING THESE VEHICLES PRE-OWNED AND NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE SALE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM EXCEPT TO CHARGE PEOPLE FOR THE REPAIR. *KB
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING AND PEELING FROM THE ROOF RUNNERS. I NOTICED THIS JUST RECENTLY WHEN I WASHED THE TRUCK AND WAS GETTING READY TO WAX IT. *TR
I PURCHASED MY SPORT TRAC IN 2005. IN 2011 I HAD APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION WHICH CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND MADE STEERING DIFFICULT DOING ABOUT 60 MPH. I REPLACED THE TIRES BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD SENT OUT A SERVICE MEMO STATING THIS PARTICULAR FORD MODEL HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVESHAFT AND A NEW ALUMINUM ONE WAS NECESSARY. I CONTACTED FORD BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. ON JUNE 15, I WENT TO CLASSIC FORD LINCOLN-MERCURY AND TOLD THEM I NEEDED AN UPDATED DRIVESHAFT. AFTER IT WAS INSTALLED THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AND I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY THEN INSTALLED THE RIGHT ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT. MY PROBLEM IS THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THE DRIVESHAFT AND THE VIBRATION IT CAUSED AND HAD WRITTEN A SERVICE MEMO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT MY CAR HAD 36,000 MILES BUT THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM BECAME SERIOUS. I BELIEVE THAT FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCTS AND STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE PROBLEMS THEY CAUSED. I THINK FORD MOTOR SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT SINCE I WAS MADE AWARE THAT FORD REALIZED THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE WRONG ONE AND FAILED TO HAVE A RECALL . HOPEFULLY NO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS RESULTED FROM THIS FORD ENGINEERING ERROR.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE IT SPRAYED BACK OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PEOPLE ATTEMPTED TO FUEL THE VEHICLE AND THEY BOTH EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ADD FUEL TO HER VEHICLE AND SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,806.
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. AT 57500 MILES MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED UP ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PEDALS. AS IT IS I STILL NEED REPAIR DONE TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND WERE UNSAFE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DETECTED A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF UPDATED 11/26/10
MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC HAS PAINT ISSUES. THE PAINT ON THE HOOD HAS BUBBLED AND IS NOW FLAKING OFF. THE RUNNING BOARDS HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST SPOTS. I AM NOW WORRIED WHAT ELSE MIGHT GO WRONG. =-( *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHETHER DRIVING OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
WHILE IN PARK, THE CAR DIED. PUSHED CAR INTO AUTO PARTS STORE PARKING LOT. ASSOCIATE HELPED BY RESETTING THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED ON THE FIRE WALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. SINCE THIS FIRST INCIDENT IT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THEN EVERY MONTH, AND NOW ALMOST WEEKLY.IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE IN TOWN AT LOW SPEEDS AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CANNOT FIND A RECALL BUT KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THIS SWITCH ON THEIR SPORT TRACS. *TR
2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC GLUE TO THE HARMONIC BALANCER AND PULLEY COMES APART AND PULLEY BREAKS LOOSE CAUSING THE MOTOR TO BECOME UNBALANCE AND POSSIBLY DAMAGE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING FOR THE ORGANIZATION MEALS ON WHEELS, I PROCEEDED TO TRY AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND THE STEERING OR GEAR SHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MY CAR INTO GEAR AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK WHICH TOWED THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I AM WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE FROM THE SERVICE CENTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE:PASSENGER STRETCHING THEIR LEGS FAILURE: PASSENGER BUMPED A SENSOR SWITCH THAT IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT THE FUEL OFF IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT,THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND ONCE IN RESIDENTIAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF THE FIRST TIME ,I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED THIS COULD BE FATAL ON A BUSY ROAD. *TR
CLOSED DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHILE IN VEHICLE, AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ALL OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT CUT THE AIR BAGS OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,592. UPDATED 09/16/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE REMOVED THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 09/18/08 *JB
TRUCK SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN AUGUST 2007 (MILEAGE: 24587). VERY DANGEROUS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. 2 OTHERS IN TRUCK WITH ME, I WAS IN MIDDLE LANE OF I95. TOWED TRUCK TO QUALITY FORD OF MT. VERNON AND THEY REPLACE FUEL PUMP. IT DID IT AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2007 (MILEAGE: 29082) WHILE I WAS ON THE STREET. AGAIN, I HAD IT TOWED TO QUALITY FORD OF MT. VERNON AND THIS TIME THEY SAID MY FUEL FILTER WAS DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY. EVEN THOUGH I HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND THE FILTER WASN'T EVEN DUE TO BE CHANGED, ACCORDING TO THEIR GUIDELINES. THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF A FEW TIMES AND I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT WITH A JUMP. THEN FEBRUARY 22, 2008 (MILEAGE: 30972) THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING LOCALLY AND I GOT A JUMP AND TOOK IT BACK TO QUALITY FORD OF MT. VERNON AND THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY THIS TIME. THEN APRIL 8, 2008 (MILEAGE: 32487) THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AFTER STARTING WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO QUALITY FORD OF MT. VERNON AND THEY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN AND A FUEL PUMP MODULE. NOW IT'S JUNE 2008 (MILEAGE: 24,704) AND MY CAR HAS BEEN AT QUALITY FORD OF MT. VERNON FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS. FIRST THEY DID THE DIAGNOSTICS AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, SO THEY SAID THEY HAD AN ENGINEER COMING IN TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINEER SUPPOSEDLY SAID I NEEDED YET ANOTHER FUEL PUMP AND SOME OTHER GISMO. I STILL DON'T HAVE A CAR. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026