2005 Ford Explorer Reliability
The 2005 Ford Explorer has 568 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Explorer model years (2003–2007), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Explorer's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
568
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
27
Complaints citing a crash
7
Complaints citing a fire
2005 Ford Explorer complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 model year, filed between 2005 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 164 | 29% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 102 | 18% |
| Fuel system | 55 | 10% |
| Speed control / throttle | 48 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 47 | 8% |
| Engine & cooling | 32 | 6% |
| Visibility / wipers | 30 | 5% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 27 | 5% |
2005 Ford Explorer recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2005 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06E026000 | Mar 23, 2006 | Exterior lighting | 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… |
| 06E049000 | May 24, 2006 | Exterior lighting | 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… |
| 07E104000 | Dec 11, 2007 | Visibility / wipers — glass, side/rear | 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… |
How the 2005 compares with nearby Explorer years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Explorer analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1,313 | 7 | Body structure | Caution |
| 2004 | 1,408 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2005 (this page) | 568 | 3 | Body structure | Better year |
| 2006 | 635 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Solid |
| 2007 | 208 | 3 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2005 Ford Explorer
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2005 Ford Explorer can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2005 Ford Explorer reliability FAQ
Is the 2005 Ford Explorer reliable?
The 2005 Ford Explorer has 568 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Explorer model years (2003–2007), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Explorer's typical year.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Explorer problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Explorer are body structure (164), powertrain / transmission (102), fuel system (55), speed control / throttle (48). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Explorer, including 06E026000 (exterior lighting) and 06E049000 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2005 Ford Explorer compare with the 2004 and 2006 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2004 has 1,408 complaints and 4 recalls (caution); the 2006 has 635 complaints and 4 recalls (solid). The 2005 has 568 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2005 Ford Explorer?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford Explorer research
Other Ford Explorer model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2005 Explorer, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.