2005 Ford Explorer complaints

I WAS ABOUT 400 MILES FROM HOME ... DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH ... MY TIRE NEARLY FELL OFF (LEFT REAR) .... HAD TO GET TOWED FOR 114 MILES. THE STUDS THAT THE LUGS ARE ATTACHED SEARED OFF .... ONLY ONE WAS COMPLETELY ATTACHED 2 WERE HANGING OFF ... AND 2 WERE GONE. HAD THE TIRES ROTATED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AND HAD DRIVEN ALMOST 2000 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED SO I CANT BLAME THE WAY THE TIRE WAS PUT ON. I BELIEVE THE STUDS ON THE WHEEL HUB ARE DEFECTIVE .... I HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED ... IF FORD INITIATES A RECALL I MAY CONSIDER BUYING ANOTHER FORD. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITIONER *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS A QUOTED A PRICE OF $2,400 TO FIX THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 16 MONTHS. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD A LARGE HOLE ON THE SIDE OF THE CASE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFTGATE THAT EXTENDED TO THE EMBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

UPPER BALL JOINT BOOTS FELL APART GREASE WASHES OUT BALL JOINT FAILURE AT 52,000 MILES. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) CAUSING VISOR TO DROP AND HANG BY ELECTRICAL WIRE SUPPLYING POWER TO LIGHTED MIRROR. ENTIRE VISOR ASSEMBLY WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE INDIVIDUAL PART (SMALL PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET) WAS NOT SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. VISOR RARELY IF EVER USED. REPLACEMENT WAS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE AND NOT COVERED UNDER PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

PASSENGER VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) DRIVER SIDE VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) TWO MONTHS EARLIER AND REPORTED SEPARATELY. ENTIRE VISOR ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE PURCHASED BECAUSE THIS SMALL PART WAS NOT SOLD OR SUPPLIED SEPARATELY. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED PREMIUM WARRANTY. *TR

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER. MY SON FIRST DISCOVERED IT BACK IN JULY-AUGUST 2010. WHILE HE WAS ADJUSTING HIS SPEED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AND HE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THANK GOODNESS, HE HAD THE PEACE OF MIND TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY TO START IT AGAIN. I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT TO DO THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED TRYING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. SINCE THAT INITIAL EPISODE, BOTH MY SON AND MY HUSBAND HAVE TESTED IT AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND HAVE HAD THE SAME RESULTS. SO WE BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALER IN OUR AREA TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BOX AND THAT IT WOULD COST IN THE RANGE OF $800-850 TO FIX. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAID THERE WASN'T. I QUESTIONED WHY THERE WASN'T SINCE THIS WAS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS. I REALIZE IT IS ONLY WHEN I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE SAFETY CONCERN. HE ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT USED. SO I OPTED TO CONTACT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO. $800-850 IS A LOT OF MONEY. I GOT FEEDBACK ON THE ISSUE A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THAT BASICALLY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL SO THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. THEN I WAS ASKED TO FILL OUT A CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY WHERE I REITERATED THAT M

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS BUBBLING OF PAINT AND RUST IN THE GROVES ON TOP OF MY ROOF. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECT I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO HAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS A PAINT DEFECT AND CONTACTED FORD DIRECT THEMSELVES TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED AND FORD STATES THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE IF THE ROOF HAS RUST HOLES THRU THE TOP OR IF I WAS THE 1ST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY APPARENT THAT IT IS A PAINT DEFECT AND NOTHING MORE. I HAVE DONE AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY REGULAR PROBLEM FOR MOST VEHICLES BETWEEN 200-2005. *TR

THE REAR PANEL UNDER MY BACK WINDOW IS CRACKED ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FALLS OFF AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAS A CRASH TRYING TO AVOID IT? WILL FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING? DOUBT IT. THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT IS RAMPANT ON THE INTERNET. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE GUY BEHIND ME CAN BE ASSURED HE WON'T HAVE TO PLAY DODGE THE PLASTIC WHEN IT FALLS OFF. *TR

HAVE OWNED 2005 FORD EXPLORER SINCE NEW. AFTER 35,000 MILES THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO BOTTOM OUT ON EMPTY FOLLOWED BY A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYING ON. THE GAUGE WILL START WORKING AGAIN OFF AND ON BUT IT'S NOT RELIABLE. TRIED RUNNING A FUEL CLEANER THROUGH IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND DID NOTHING FOR IT. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SAYS IT'S READING A BAD SENSOR IN ONE OF THE WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND BABIED BY MY WIFE. THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF CONSUMERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME TROUBLES WITH THE SAME VEHICLES. WHY IS FORD NOT HELD LIABLE FOR THESE DEFECTS? THIS WAS NOT A BUDGET LOW COST CAR. WE PAID OVER $36,000.00 FOR THIS SUV. PLEASE HELP US IN ANY WAY YOU CAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW BESIDE THE FORD EMBLEM. OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH THE SIZE OF THE CRACK INCREASED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I OWN A 2005 FORD EXPLOER WITH 74K MILES THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDING SHIFTING HARD WHEN PLACING IN REVERSE, AS WELL AS LURCHING UPON SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MAY 2005 AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 65K MILES. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A SOLENOID VALVE BODY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT WILL COST $1100 WITH NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION BODY SHOP TO BE INFORMED THAT MY YEAR VEHICLE HAS SUCH PROBLEMS AND WHY FORD DOESN'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION PLACE DID NOT FIND TRANSMISSION CODE PROBLEMS, BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. THEY DID RECEIVE GET AN ENGINE CODE ERROR AND REFERRED ME TO ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST. I'M DISTURBED TO FIND OUT ON-LINE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING CONCERNING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELP RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ISSUES AND COVER THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE EVEN WITHOUT DOING A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF AND THE ROOF IS STARTING TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE CONTACT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LONG TERM AFFECTS OF THE RUSTING. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58000.

REAR WINDOW TRIM CRACKED. I AM NOW WORRIED THAT THE PIECES WILL FALL OFF AND CAUSE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD TO OTHER DRIVERS, BUT FORD SAYS THIS IN NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

PAINT IS DELAMINATING ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 EXPLORER. VEHICLE HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION EXPLORER (2002-2005). I OWNED A 1998 EXPLORER FOR 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY PAINT RELATED PROBLEMS. *TR

COMMON TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS. MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED MY FAMILY TO GET REAR ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN ALMOST INTO A ROLLOVER ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO BEING IN THE PASSING LANE AND TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 46,000 MILES WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

MY LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AS FOLLOWS: FORD MOTOR COMPANYMAIN TOPIC: VEHICLESERVICEISSUESYOUR INQUIRY: MY 2005 EDDIE BAUER EDITION FORD EXPLORER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND SLIPS GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEARS. I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND WAS APPALLED BY THE STAGGERING NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. (AUTOBEEF.COM) MANY OF THEM PAYING THE MONEY ($3,000) TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED ONLY TO FIND IT HAPPENS AGAIN IN FEW THOUSAND MILES. WHEN I SAW ALL THOSE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING, I THOUGHT SURELY FORD WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BY NOW. BUT AFTER SEARCHING YOUR WEBSITE FOR A RECALL NOTICE, I FOUND NOTHING!! CAN THIS BE RIGHT? HOW CAN YOU COMMERCIALISM SELLING QUALITY PRODUCTS WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEING IGNORED? IF I HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (BY A AUTHORIZED DEALER), WHAT ASSURANCES DO I HAVE FROM FORD, THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT RETURN? I'M NOT A FAN OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS, BUT IT SEEMS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY BIG CORPORATIONS LISTEN TO THE MASSES ANYMORE. THEIR RESPONSE: I REGRET THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PROMPTED YOU TO WRITE US. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FORD AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) WORK TOGETHER TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP FEEDBACK. IF A CONCERN IS NOTED, A RECALL IS CONDUCTED TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS CONCERN IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER S

I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L V-6 4X4 WITH 45,000 MILES, AND WITHIN ONE MONTH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO ROB SIGHT FORD IN KANSAS CITY, MO AND THEY CHARGED ME $1,200 TO FIX THE VALVE CASING, BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING. A WEEK LATER, THE DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING, AND NOW ONLY BLOWS OUT OF THE FRONT VENTS. I CHECKED WITH SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ALL SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $1,100 TO FIX THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR. SO NOW I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 45,000 MILES THAT HAS NO DEFROST CAPABILITIES AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, BOTH OF WHICH ARE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IF MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

THE GAS GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY WILL DROP TO E AND IS NOT SHOWING CORRECT FUEL LEVEL OR CORRECT CONSUMPTION. THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE FIRST TIME OF FILLING THE RIG WITH GAS IN ADDITION TO THE GAUGE NOT WORKING RIGHT. CALLED FORD THEMSELVES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE OF THIS CALIBER AND WAS ENCOURAGED TO "PRINT OUT THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND ON LINE" AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED YESTERDAY WITH 84K MILES ON IT. HOW IS IT I CAN FIND COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT CALIBER I AM HAVING BUT FORD SAYS THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM? *TR

BOUGHT 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY $5700 MILES ON VEHICLE. BY THE TIME I HAD 60K MILES, O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I HAD TO GET NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW MY VEHICLE HAS 125K MILES AND O/D LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. WILL NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. BOTH TIMES, VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT GEARS CORRECTLY AND SOUNDS LIKE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SUN VISOR FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VISOR WAS EXHIBITING DISINTEGRATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION FROM CALIFORNIA TO OREGON ON I-5, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, SHUTTER, THEN CLUNK. "OD OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, ALONG WITH A WARNING INDICATING CHECK TRANSMISSION. LOUD WHIRLING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE OFFRAMP, TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I DID NOT FEEL IT WAS SAFE TO TRY TO GET BACK UP TO FREEWAY SPEEDS, AS THERE SEEMED TO BE LITTLE POWER. DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, I HAD THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME, RIGHT ON MY BUMPER. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT ALL REQUIRED INTERVALS. VEHICLE HAS 48,000 MILES. MADE IT INTO A FORD DEALER IN OREGON, AND WAS TOLD AFTER PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND ALL WARNING CODES CLEARED IT MAY BE SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO CALIFORNIA. WENT ABOUT 300' FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND "OD OFF" LIGHT CAME ON, "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING CAME ON. DROVE IT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FOUND METAL, AND CLUTCH MATERIAL. COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION $3,657. *TR

THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, HAS A DELAY THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES REARWARD. ALSO, THE TRUCK HAS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH SOME FORWARD GEARS AS WELL. THE TRUCK WILL DELAY OR HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS, THEN SLAM INTO THE NEXT GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL LIFT GATE WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000. UPDATED 08/06/10*JB

I DRIVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS OR SO, WHEN I SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE CAR JUMPS WHILE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER----REAR WINDOW JUST EXPLODED,WHEN I WENT TO SHUT IT----43,000 MILES. *TR

WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION THIS MORNING AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2005. THE VEHICLE'S FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WAS IN 2008 WHEN THE TRANSMISSION "LOST" 3RD GEAR. IT WAS REBUILT BY FORD AND HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. YESTERDAY 21 MAY 2010 THE TRANSMISSION DID THE SAME THING IT DID IN 2008... SLAMMED HARD INTO REVERSE AND NOW IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THIS IS TWICE I'M HAVING TO PAY TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO CHIP OFF. I WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS IT WAS RUSTED, HOWEVER NOW WHAT BEGAN AS A CHIP HAS GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY AN 18IN CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY VEHICLE. FORD HAS INDICATED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE DEFECT HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL ON THE LIFT GATE WAS CRACKED DOWN THE SIDE BY THE FORD LOGO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS A DESIGN FLAW ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD THE CRACK WHILE PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

THE MESSAGE SCREEN ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER STARTED DISPLAYING "CHECK TRANSMISSION" WHILE DRIVING. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND SPECIFICALLY THE 2005 MODEL. THE APPARENTLY ARE SO BACKED UP THAT IT WOULD TAKE 2-3 WEEKS FOR MY CAR TO BE FIXED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLAWED. I'M NO EXPERT BUT IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AROUND 60K MILES TO EVERY ONE. TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE. I BARELY MADE IT HOME. IT TOOK LESS THAN 3 HRS FOR THE CAR TO STOP GOING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON 77 NORTH IN FANCY GAP, VA, WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM CAR AND IN FACT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SAID HE NOTICED BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY IN FLAMES. I EXITED THROUGH DRIVER SIDE DOOR. MY PASSENGER HAD TO EXIT THROUGH DRIVER DOOR AS WELL BECAUSE FLAMES WERE SPREADING ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE DISTANCED OURSELVES FROM THE VEHICLE AS THE ENTIRE THING BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CARROLL COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND VA STATE POLICE ARRIVED. IT TOOK OVER 45 MINUTES FOR THE FIRE TO BE EXTINGUISHED; THE CAR KEPT RE-IGNITING, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL APPLICATIONS OF WATER AND ANTI-FLAME CHEMICALS. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE MELTED, INCLUDING TIRES. NOTHING WAS SALVAGEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES. IT WAS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND RECENTLY SERVICED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH IN SLIGHTLY ICY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SLID OVER BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARM, SHOULDERS AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER ADVISED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 62,000. UPDATED 07/13/2010.*LJ

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY. ENGINE WOULD REV BUT VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A MASSIVE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE CONVERTER HOUSING AND FLUID WAS DRIPPING ON THE HOT EXHAUST. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PUMP SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION, WITH ONLY 39,200 MILES. THE REPAIR COST $1100.00. LAST YEAR I SPENT $800.00 TO REPLACE THE FAILED SOLENOIDS IN THE TRANSMISSION BODY THAT WERE POSTED IN A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HOWEVER, FORD DID NOT WISH TO COVER THE COST SINCE I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY BY ONE YEAR ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAD 35,900 MILES AT THE TIME. *TR

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 49,000 MILES CAR 3 YEARS OLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE INTO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS CRACKING; IT WAS ENCASED WITH PLASTIC AND WATER GOT INTO IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 59,000. UPDATED 09/15/10. *LJUPDATED 09/16/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS EXHIBITED A FILM AND DIRT BUILD UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,100.

FORD EXPLORER 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR WOULD NOT LEAVE FIRST GEAR. HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO RAMPANT WITH ALL FORD EXPLORERS--FORD SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THEM!!

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE (35 MPH) WHEN I BLEW A SPARK PLUG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 1.5 MILES AWAY, AND THEY VERIFIED THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

I HAVE A CRACK ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2005 FOR EXPLORER. I SAW ON OUR LOCAL NEWS THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCEPTING FUEL AT ALL CA GAS STATIONS ....MUST HOLD PUMP NOZZLE AT VERY LOW VOLUME FOR EXTREMELY LONG PERIODS OF TIME TO FILL TANK COMPLETELY AND THEN BACKWASH SPILLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING. STILL ONGOING PROBLEM ...THANK YOU *TR

WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2005 EXPLORER NEW. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. AT 13000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 64000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION IS JERKING INTO REVERSE AND DRAGGING INTO 3RD JUST LIKE BEFORE. WHAT REALLY SCARED ME WAS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A CAR AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MY CAR JERKED, REVVED UP AND THEN CLUNKED INTO GEAR. THANK GOODNESS THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE. I TOOK IT IN AND FORD SAYS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SAID I JUST NEEDED MY COMPUTER UPDATED. WELL $200 LATER IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE CAR IS STILL SLIPPING AND JERKING. MY CAR IS NOT QUITE 5 YEARS OLD AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY MY TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE OD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT SAYS CHECK TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT AN ESTIMATE O $1800.00. *TR

DEP CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH *CN

I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER NEW, I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SUV DELAYING OR NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT JERKS INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WAS DOING IT ONCE TWICE A MONTH, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. ALSO MY SUV JUMPS INTO GEAR WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSING THE FRONT TIRE TO BURN RUBBER AND WEAR MY TIRE OUT QUICKLY. I HAVE TAKING MY CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT ALWAYS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESS ASAP! *TW

PANEL BELOW TAILGATE GLASS HAS VERTICAL CRACK. PURCHASED 2005 EXPLORER 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION (HAD AN 02 EXPLORER WITH SAME CRACK ISSUE SO I KNEW WHAT TO LOOK FOR). CRACK LITERALLY HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF TOYOTA CAN HAVE A MASSIVE RECALL THEN SO CAN FORD. *TW

SHIFTING HARD, REVERSE STARTED MISSING THEN FIRST GEAR MISSING. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS UNFIXABLE. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. ON JANUARY 12, 2010 HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH GLASS WAS SPLIT IN HALF. HE FILED A REPORT WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.