2005 Ford Explorer — Known Issues & Recalls

Your transmission is not responding correctly in reverse. When you put the car in reverse, it sometimes rolls forward instead of backward, or it won't move in reverse at all—even on level ground. This has happened multiple times. You've had the transmission fluid checked and changed, along with the filter, but the problem persists. Sometimes while backing up, the car stops and drifts forward instead.

Your transmission won't shift into Drive or Reverse, and the Overdrive light flashes on the dashboard. This happened twice—the first time you replaced the output speed sensor and it worked briefly, but the problem returned after a transmission fluid flush. You replaced the sensor again, but the issue persisted, and a transmission shop diagnosed a failed transmission with 212,000 miles. The transmission will need to be completely replaced.

Your Explorer sometimes jerks backward suddenly when you shift into reverse, even while you're pressing the brake pedal. This has happened on several occasions, but the dealer wasn't able to reproduce the problem during testing. The issue likely involves the transmission or shift linkage mechanism that controls when the vehicle engages reverse gear.

When you start your Explorer, the vehicle jerks forward on its own and the check engine light turns on. This suggests an engine performance issue that needs diagnostic attention. A mechanic will need to scan the engine for fault codes and inspect components like fuel injectors, spark plugs, or ignition timing.

Your 2005 Ford Explorer started making loud clunking sounds and shaking while driving, and the check engine light came on. A mechanic found that your timing chain was fractured and a plastic piece had broken off inside the engine. This issue happened around 130,000 miles. The timing chain will need to be replaced, which is a significant engine repair.

Your headlights, interior lights, dashboard gauges, radio, and windows suddenly stop working without warning, and all your gauges drop to zero. This happens randomly and unpredictably, sometimes causing your speedometer to jump around while driving. This is a serious safety issue because you lose visibility at night and can't see your speed, fuel level, or engine temperature while on the road.

Your airbags failed to deploy during a head-on collision with a semi truck at 40 mph, resulting in injury to the driver. This is a serious safety failure that should be investigated immediately by a qualified mechanic or the manufacturer.

Your transmission isn't engaging properly in reverse, causing a dangerous delay when backing up. You nearly got hit by an oncoming car because the reverse gear responded too slowly. This appears to be a known issue affecting multiple 2005 Ford Explorers. Getting the transmission fluid checked and potentially rebuilt or replaced may be necessary to restore proper reverse functionality.

Your rear driver's side wheel completely detached from your vehicle while accelerating from a stop light and rolled into oncoming traffic. A mechanic found that four of the five wheel studs holding it on had broken off. After the studs were replaced, the same problem happened again while driving. The root cause hasn't been identified yet. This issue will likely require a thorough inspection of the wheel hub, studs, and lug nuts to determine why they keep failing.

While driving at high speeds, all electrical power cuts out suddenly as if the ignition key were turned off, leaving you without power steering and causing the car to slow quickly—a hazardous situation that has happened multiple times over two years. This loss of electrical power makes steering extremely difficult and creates a serious safety risk. The underlying electrical failure needs to be diagnosed and repaired, likely involving inspection of the alternator, battery, and main electrical connections.

While driving at 65 mph on the highway, your car suddenly lost all engine power and propulsion without warning. This also caused your power steering and all dashboard lights to shut off at the same time, forcing you to coast to the side of the road using only your hazard lights. The problem happens randomly and is difficult to reproduce, making it hard to diagnose. The issue appears to involve the inertia switch, which may need to be inspected or replaced to restore reliable fuel system operation.

Your vehicle accelerated on its own while you were reversing out of your driveway, with the accelerator pedal becoming stuck at 60 mph. The vehicle crashed into a tree after driving through multiple yards, but the airbags failed to deploy during the collision. You sustained injuries requiring medical attention. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired to determine the cause of the acceleration or airbag failure.

Your steering column feels tight and stiff when you start the truck, making the ignition key hard to turn and the gear shifter difficult to move from Park to Drive—though it loosens up once the engine is running. You're concerned the steering could lock up or the column could break, potentially leaving you stranded. This issue may be caused by binding or friction in the steering column assembly and could require inspection and lubrication or replacement of internal components.

Your car suddenly lost acceleration when you pressed the gas pedal after refueling, then abruptly accelerated on its own without your input. Warning lights appeared for low oil pressure and transmission problems, and you discovered the oil level was dangerously low. A mechanic found that a faulty oil sensor failed to warn you about the low oil, which caused serious damage to the engine bearings. Fixing this will likely require replacing the oil pressure sensor and repairing or replacing the engine bearings.

A metal support bar in your driver's seat is protruding through the seat cushion, making it painful and uncomfortable to sit on. The lumbar support failed after less than 5 years, and you feel the seat has become unsafe. This appears to be a structural issue unrelated to driver weight.

The shock tower mount in your rear wheel well has rusted through, which concerns you about safety. This structural component helps support your suspension and absorb impact from bumps. Repairing this will likely require replacing the rusted mount and possibly welding or reinforcing the affected area.

Your driver's seat back has collapsed into the back seat while driving and is now stuck in that position, while your passenger seat is showing similar but less severe issues. Your heated seats turn on unpredictably on their own, though the driver's heated seat no longer works at all. Your seat belts randomly lock up and have trouble retracting normally. These issues likely involve replacing or repairing the seat back mechanism, heating element controls, and seat belt retractor assembly.

Your front driver's side tire suddenly came apart while you were driving on the interstate, causing significant damage to your vehicle's body. The tire debris damaged your headlight, turn signal, door molding, and caused paint damage and tire well damage. You'll need a mechanic to inspect for additional hidden damage that may have resulted from the tire failure.

You've noticed a crack in the top panel of your rear liftgate. You're concerned the liftgate might break further or completely fracture if you continue to open and close it. The crack appeared around 120,000 miles. Repair would likely involve replacing the liftgate panel or the entire liftgate assembly.

Your cooling fan blades have developed large cracks in the plastic. Your driver's door and back door both show cracks near the hinges, and the paint is peeling on the roof with rust starting to form underneath. Additionally, your plastic thermostat housing has cracked. These issues will likely require replacing the fan assembly, door repair or replacement, repainting the roof, and replacing the thermostat housing.