2005 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE SOMETIMES THERE IS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY. IT IS ALSO SLAMMING INTO REVERSE AT TIMES. MORE FREQUENT AS TIME GOES ON. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FROM TSB 05-15-4 CAUSING BY THE FORD FACTORY FAILING TO PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD. I'M NOW LOOKING AT A COSTLY REPAIR. *TR

ON FRIDAY, 8/12/11, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM, I NOTED AN APPROXIMATELY 2" LONG CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH PANEL, LOCATED JUST ABOVE AND BESIDE THE FORD EMBLEM. AS OF THIS PAST MONDAY, 8/15/11, THIS CRACK HAS NOW EXTENDED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PANEL. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF BODY DAMAGE OR ACCIDENTS. THIS IS NOT AN AREA WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE HIT MINE. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS JUST APPEARED WITH NO REASON. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD AND IS APPARENTLY BASED ON DEFECTIVE GLUE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD COMPANY AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

THE ACTIVHEAT HEATED CAR SEAT COVER MODEL # 6HCSCBL24 WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE SEAT COVER COULD OVERHEAT AND BURN ME. ON AUGUST 12, 2011 I MAILED IN MY REQUEST FOR A NEW SEAT COVER ALONG WITH A 3" X 5" SECTION OF THE FRONT MESH FABRIC OF THE SEAT COVER TO ACTIVHEAT SEAT RECALL, C/O ATLAS NORTH, PO BOX 873, WOODBURY, NJ 08096. THE RECALL LETTER STATED THAT I WOULD RECEIVE THE NEW SEAT COVER IN 30 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN OVER 60 DAYS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT COVER. I HAVE CALLED 800-541-3722 TWICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL. THE ANSWERING SERVICE HAS TAKEN MY NAME AND PHONE # AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL. PLEASE HELP ME OBTAIN THE NEW SEAT COVER.

HTTPS://AIAHD.TELESISHQ.COM/MRCGI/MRSPELLCHECK.PL

RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM A CRACK DEVELOPED. IT'S ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH AND RUNS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIBERGLASS PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. THE PANEL KEEPS EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH THE CRACK GOING FROM JUST A SLIGHT LINE TO A 3/16" GAP! DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN IT APPEARED AND FORD SAYS THAT IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOO BAD YOUR WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT! POOR DESIGN THAT FORD SHOULD FIX FOR THE MONEY WE HAVE GIVEN THEM FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, EQUIPPED WITH GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P235/75/R16 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS AP70L2113710. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME AND CONSISTENT TREAD WEAR ON THE TIRES. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,575 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,874. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/21/12 *BF UPDATED 06/01/12

WHILE DRIVING, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR LURCHED AND MADE A NOISE. ABOUT 1 MINUTE AFTER THAT, A WARNING LIGHT THAT STATED "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE" AND A LITTLE WRENCH SHOWED UP ON THE LEFT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS DRIVING HOME, AND THE CAR STARTED TO SPEED UP WITHOUT MY INCREASING THE SPEED USING THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LURCH OFF AND ON UNTIL I GOT HOME. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMED TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THAT HAD FAILED. UPON TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WAS. THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE CAR'S SPEED KEPT INCREASING. THE REPAIR WAS $1026.00.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, BY AMBULANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GATE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EMBLEM. THE CRACK HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IF IT WAS REPAIRED, IT WOULD PROBABLY CRACK AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,992.

WE BOUGHT OUR EXPLORER NEW JULY 4TH 2005, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS THE WORST. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKS DONE ON TIME AT 40,000 AND 60,000 MILES. I TOLD THEM TWICE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RIGHT IT WAS SLIPPING. NOW THAT I FINALLY PAID THEM $200.00 FOR THEIR TEST IT SHOWS THE BANDS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK AND IT WILL BE $3900.00 FOR A REBULIT ONE. I HAVE CHECKED OUT THE LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THERE TRANSMISSIONS,SO WHERE IS THE RECALL,COME ON WE CAN'T ALL BE WRONG. LOOKING FOR HELP IN THESE HARD TIMES,BEING DISABLED AND WIFE ABOUT TO RETIRE THIS PRICE IS ABSURD,BECAUSE OF ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. BOUGHT LAST TWO CARS FROM FORD ,DON'T THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT. *TR

I HAVE 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT I WAS DRIVING IN FREEWAY WITH SPEED OF 60MPH WITH 3 KIDS IN THE VEHICLE AND MY WIFE AND JUST TRANNY FAILED AND SPEED DROP ALMOST GET IN ACCIDENT NOW I AM WITHOUT THE CAR AND WITHOUT THE WORK I DID CHANGE MY TOYOTA TO THE AMERICAN VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO TO HELP ECONOMY OF USA AND NOW I HAVE NO IDEA THAT WHERE I GET $3000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANNY. *TR

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I SWITCHED ON MY TURN SIGNAL TO INDICATE A RIGHT TURN AND NOTICED THE NORMAL CLICK OF THE TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT OCCURRING. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SAW THE RIGHT TURN LIGHT WAS LIT BUT NOT FLASHING. THE REST OF THE TRIP I HAD TO CONTINUALLY TURN ON AND TURN OFF THE TURN SIGNAL TO LET OTHERS NOW MY INTENTIONS SINCE THE SIGNALS WOULD NO LONGER FLASH. FINALLY I RAPIDLY WORKED THE SWITCH UP AND DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE TURN SIGNALS TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AGAIN. ALSO ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE SIGNAL WOULD CLICK VERY FAST WHICH AND THE ACTUAL SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD NOT FLASH OR LIGHT BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY START WORKING AGAIN. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BURNED-OUT BULB BUT WHEN IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN I KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. I SAW A RECALL RECENTLY FOR THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ON RANGER PICKUPS AND EXCURSION SUVS IN THE AGE RANGE OF MY VEHICLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY EXPLORER.

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 200 MILES FROM HOME AND CAR WAS DOING FINE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN I LOST MY GAS GAUGE AND THE MILES TO EMPTY READING "---". I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THEN ABOUT 8 MILES FROM MY 314 MILE DESTINATION IT WORKED AGAIN, IN WHICH IT READ HALF A TANK. THEN AFTER REFUELING, THE GAS GAUGE DID THE SAME THING. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR A DAY NOW AND I TRY TO GO ABOUT 200 MILES AND THEN TOP IT OFF AGAIN. *TR

CRACK AT BACK GLASS RUNNING DOWN THE CAR LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM. GLASS COULD FALL OUT. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY MOVE INTO NEUTRAL FROM PARK OR DRIVE WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE PARTICULAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

ON JULY 12, 2013, I TOOK MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. AT TIMES IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I PUT IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE JERKS OR LUNGES INTO GEAR. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS OF COURSE MY TRANSMISSION. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3946.20 AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY EXPLORER IN THIS CONDITION, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE AT THIS POINT. I WENT ONLINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND 94 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THE 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. IN ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS SENT TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM - A WOMAN WROTE THAT SHE SENT A COMPLAINT LETTER TO THE DEPT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE 2005 FORD EXPLORES, THEY GET BACK TO HER TO TELL HER THAT THE FORD DEALER WILL PUT THE REPAIR UNDER SOME TYPE OF WARRANTY PROGRAM AND JUST CHARGE ME $100 BUCKS TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE FORD EXPLORERS MADE IN 2005, SO WHY HAVE THE VEHICLES NOT BEEN RECALLED AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS?? *TR

THE REAR LIFT WINDOW STARTED CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE OPEN BUTTON STOPPED ACTIVATING.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE THE TIRE WAS FLAT, SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THE TIRE BEING TIGHTENED BEYOND ITS CAPACITY BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR WAS FRACTURED WHERE THE WINDOW ENDED AND WHERE THE MANUFACTURING SYMBOL WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 25 MPH TO 55 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING AT THESE HIGHER SPEEDS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN CLOSE TRAFFIC. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP THE CAR RESTARTS EASILY. THIS STALLING OCCURS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A FACTOR. WEATHER IN ALL CASES WAS DRY AND WARM. THE STALLING HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES ,WEEKS AND MONTHS APART. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR BUT CANNOT FIND A COMPUTER CODE PROBLEM, THEY ALSO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM THUS THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. A WEB SEARCH DIVULGES THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM TO FORD FOR THE 2002,2004 AND 2005 EXPLORER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED! *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER - EVERYTIME I FILL THE GAS TANK FULL - THE FUEL GAUGE STICKS AND GOES DOWN TO EMPTY. *TR

"CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT ILLUMINATES IN '00-'05 FORD EXPLORERS. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE OCCURRING, AND IT IS THE RESULT OF EMISSION FAILURE PARTS IN THESE VEHICLES. EACH INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS IS COSTING OWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS, AND IS CLEARLY A DEFAULT OF THE COMPANY. ALMOST EVERY REPORT HAS SHOWN TROUBLE CODES OF P0455 OR P0457, OR BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY. YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS THREAD AND OTHERS AT HTTP://EXPLORERFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=244624 TO SEE NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF THIS SAME ISSUE IN MULTIPLE FORD EXPLORERS. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED RIGHT AWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AS WELL. AFTER FORD REPLACED MY FUEL CAP AND SAID THIS WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE, MY "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT ILLUMINATED A WEEK LATER AGAIN. FORD THEN INSPECTED MY VEHICLE AGAIN AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT CAME ON YET AGAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE CHARGING ME OVER $1,000 IN REPAIRS INCLUDING A $108 DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY VEHICLE FOR CODES P1000 AND P0457. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO CONTINUOUSLY BRING MY VEHICLE TO FORD FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE TAKEN IT TO THEM, AND THEY STILL CANNOT GUARANTEE ME THIS IS THE PROBLEM. FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION TO BE LAUNCHED, AND FOR FORD TO RECALL THEIR EXPLORERS AND FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE WATERTOWN FORD IN WATERTOWN, MA. *TR

DASHBOARD - WARNING LIGHT FOR OIL CHANGE REQUIRED WILL NOT GO OFF - HAD OIL CHANGE 500 MILES AGO - NOT DUE FOR 2 MORE MONTHS - WILL NOT RESET. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD OIL GAUGE SENSOR. *TR

WHEN SPEED CONTROL IS SET, AND COAST BUTTON IS PRESSED FOR MORE THEN A FEW SECONDS, ENGINE WILL STALL. *TR

MY 2005 REAR PANEL UNDERNEATH WINDOW CRACKED BY THE EMBLEM. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I PULLED OUT FROM AN INTERSECTION AND HAD NOT REACHED THE SPEED LIMIT YET WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THEN CAUSING BOTH STRUTS TO THE HATCH TO EXTEND AND THEREFORE BREAK THE ENTIRE FRAMEWORK OF THE REAR HATCH. THIS WINDOW WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO PRIOR CRACKS IN IT AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ANY AROUND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD HAS TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS AND I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE 76,306 MILES ON MY EXPLORER. I NOTICED A GAS SMELL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. DEALER FOUND A GAS LEAK WHERE THE FILLER HOSE ATTACHES TO THE GAS TANK. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS PART OF THE GAS TANK HAD MANY CRACKS/FRACTURES THAT ALLOWED FUEL TO LEAK OUT. THE ONLY REPAIR OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK AT A COST TO ME OF $2,009.00. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THE GAS TANK HOLDS 22.5 GALLONS OF FUEL THAT COULD FLOW ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE IF THE PLASTIC FILLER PIECE FAILED COMPLETELY. *TR

MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS A LARGE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL. I HAVE SEEN THIS IN DOZENS OF VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR BODY STYLES, FOR REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $472. *TR

GAS CAP LIGHT COMES ON TRIGGERING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *KB

THE FORD EXPLORER FROM THE MID-2000S IS STARTING TO SHOW MULTIPLE DEFECTS. FORD CO. ADVISED OWNERS TO REPORT THESE PROBLEMS THROUGH THIS COMPLAINT FORM BECAUSE AS OF NOW THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECALL THE DEFECTS. THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW CRACKS VERTICALLY RIGHT NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. SOME CARS HAVE MULTIPLE CRACKS. THE MAJORITY OF THIS TYPE OF FORD EXPLORER BODY TYPE ARE SHOWING THE CRACK. IT HAPPENS AROUND THE 5 YEAR MARK. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO FREEZE/THAW HAPPENING AT THE BACK WINDOW, WHICH THEN CRACKS THE BODY. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOB AND OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO NOT EVEN BOTHER BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IT APPEARS ABRUPTLY AND IS DISCONCERTING TO SEE THIS SUDDENLY AND FOR NO PERSONAL REASON HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR DUE TO BAD DESIGN. NEWER EXPLORERS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE SECOND DEFECT WHICH IS HAPPENING NOW TO MANY EXPLORER OWNERS AT THE 5 YEAR MARK IS THE FAILURE OF THE HEATING SYSTEM. THE DAMPER FLAP STARTS CLICKING NON-STOP AND THERE IS NO HEAT. AGAIN THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE TAKEN OFF TO REPAIR. THESE DEFECTS ARE WIDELY DISCUSSED ON THE INTERNET AND THIS IS THE ONLY REAL FORMAL WAY TO DOCUMENT THEM. THE FORD EXPLORER HAS PROVEN TO BE A REAL LEMON, FULL OF DESIGN DEFECTS AND A REAL DISAPPOINTMENT.

TODAY, I STARTED OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER TO DRIVE MY TWO CHILDREN TO THE BUS STOP. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT ON OUT OF THE BLUE. I'VE HAD MANY CARS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST FORD AND SINCE AUGUST WE'VE PUT IN AN ALTERNATOR, NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT. OUR PRIOR SUV WAS A 1999 DODGE DURANGO AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT ANY OF THESE REPAIRS INTO IT. *TR

REPEATED FAILURE OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION MODEL 5R55S. 3 TOTAL FAILURES REQUIRING COMPLETE OVERHAUL IN 3 YEARS. REPAIRS PERFORMED BY SAME QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT AND FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED REPAIR ALTERNATIVE FACILITY. FORD WOULDN'T PROVIDE A WARRANTY AT 90,000 MILE FIRST FAILURE. MOST RECENT REPAIR 2/24/2011 AND 3RD COSTING $2500. MILEAGE BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD REPAIRS-38,000 MILES. PRESENT MILEAGE 130,000 ON VEHICLE. CHASSIS MILEAGE IS HIGH BUT 3 FAILURES IN 3 YEARS ON LOW MILEAGE TRANSMISSION BETWEEN OVERHAULS IS NOT NORMAL. *TR

STARTED EXPLORER TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR $1500. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS AT ALL. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER AND EVERY TIME WE FILL THE TANK WITH GAS THE GAUGE STOPS WORKING UNTIL IT REACHES HALF A TANK THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT IT DROPS TO ALMOST EMPTY. SO WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE AMOUNT OF GAS WE HAVE IT. BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4. THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND 20 MILES LATER MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, THE REPAIR SHOP STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE REPAIR IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS? I SURE HOPE I AM NOT LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHSTA HOTLINE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO AND AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILING WITH MILEAGE OF 65K MILES! WAS TOLD BY FORD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3500 PLUS TAX TO FIX. CALLED FMC AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS BY FMC MAIN OFFICE OR DEALERSHIP; DISMISSED NOTION OF ANY VALIDITY TO COMPLAINTS SHOWING UP ONLINE; WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY MAKE NOTE OF IT IN THEIR SYSTEM AND THAT WAS IT! SO FAR NOTHING SERIOUS HAS HAPPENED, BUT APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE HOME FROM A FUNERAL OUT OF TOWN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH THE TAILGATE CRACKED UNDER THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRACK WAS COSMETIC AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE; THEREFORE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE PIECES FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTING THE GEAR SELECTOR THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH PANEL CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT NO RECALL ISSUED. *TR

I NOTICED THE PLASTIC TRIM PANEL BELOW MY REAR HATCH GLASS CRACKED IN HALF AFTER GETTING MY TRUCK WASHED AT A TOUCHLESS CAR WASH!! I'VE NOTICED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS, SO IT DOESN'T SEEM THIS IS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. *TR

AFTER COMING BACK FROM A VACATION TO THE AIRPORT TO GET MY CAR, I NOTICED THE TAILGATE OF MY BLUE 2005 EXPLORER XLT WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITH A 8" LONG CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TAILGATE. AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH, IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT, WHICH THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. I EVEN HAVE A FORD FULL-EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERS EVERYTHING AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. THE REPAIR WILL BE $400-$500, WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR. IT'S A FORD DESIGN FLAW, THEY KNEW IT BACK IN 2002, YET CONTINUED TO PRODUCE EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT FOR THREE OR MORE YEARS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE TAILGATE PIECE IS BROKEN AND CAN COME FLYING OF THE VEHICLE AT ANYTIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHILCE'S REAR HATCH PLASTIC MOLDING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER COLLISION CENTER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , BODY STRUCTURE , GAS PEDAL. *TR

CAME OUTSIDE AND NOTICED A CRACK IN MY REAR HATCH GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN. FORD DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT, EVEN WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK THAT EXTENDED FROM THE WINDOW TO THE LIFT GATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

2005 FORD EXPLORER FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS BAD AT 87,000 MILES AND BALL JOINTS HAVE SLACK IN THEM. RIDICULOUS THAT A CAR THIS NICE HAS SUCH PROBLEMS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING ON THE INTERNET, REAR END HAS A ROAR IN IT TOO, OF COURSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS STUFF FIXED. FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE AUTO AND FIX ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A NEW VEHICLE WHICH HAS NEVER PULLED ANYTHING, ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK 12 MILES A DAY AND TOP SPEED IS 45 MILES PER HOUR. LAST FORD I WILL EVER OWN. *TR