MyCarTSB

2005 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

63 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data

63
Complaints
Jan 2012Dec 2016
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (63)

criticalFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2019

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.

NHTSA #: 11204538
highFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2020

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.

NHTSA #: 11350238
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2018

TAKATA RECALL. FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP IN THE TANK 2 TIMES STILL DID NOT WORK. CHECKED FOR GROUND CONNECTIONS ALL SEEMED WELL. THE FUEL GAUGE STILL DOES NOT WORK

NHTSA #: 11083350
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2017

WE'VE REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR IN OUR 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT TWICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. WE HAD 68,000 MILES WHEN WE FIRST REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR. IT IS A COSTLY FIX. NOW, AUGUST 2017, THE FUEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND OUR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE IN THE TANK. THE GAS GOES UP AND DOWN AND IS NOT RELIABLE. THE COMPUTER NEVER STATES THE CORRECT NUMBER OF MILES TILL EMPLY. I'LL BE DRIVING ALONG AND THE GAUGE GOES DOWN TO EMPTY AND THE COMPUTER STATES -------.

NHTSA #: 11019597
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2017

FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AFTER FILLING THE TANK UP AND STARTING IT. THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINS ON EMPTY. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. IT IS UNSAFE NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK BECAUSE YOU COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AT 70+MPH AND CAUSE A CRASH. SEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE BROUGHT ME TO HUNDREDS OF 2002-05 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. FORD MOTORS SHOULD PUT OUT A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA #: 11019251
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2016

THROTTLES BODY ASSY. STALL OR SURGE WHILE ENTER IN TRAFFIC MAKE VERY DANGER

NHTSA #: 10938681
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2016

WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK IT IS SLOW AND WILL NOT FILL PROPERLY. HAD 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLVE.

NHTSA #: 10917670
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THERE WAS A FRONT PASSENGER RIDING OCCUPYING THE SEAT AND THE PASSENGER LEG TOUCHED THE FUEL RELAY SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA #: 10748101
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2015

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

NHTSA #: 10706025
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2015

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO FROM FULL( WHEN THE TANK IS FULL)TO EMPTY THEN THE LOW FUEL ALERT CONTINUES TO SOUND.... TODAY APR 16 2015 THE TRUCK STARTED SPUTTERING THEN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH..... IT STARTED AFTER 3 TRIES I TOOK IT TO GAS STATION AND IT'S FULL OF GAS BUT GAUGE SAYS IT'S EMPTY ..... THIS ISN'T SAFE ..... MY 2 YR OLD COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.... WHY ISN'T IT BEING RECALLED ? IF YOU GOOGLE THE PROBLEM IT'S UP TO $2000 TO FIX AND EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT NO INVESTIGATION OR RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10706107
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2015

CANNOT FILL GAS TANK WITHOUT NOZZLE OR PUMP CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF. HAVE TO BEARLY SQUEEZE NOZZLE AND TRICKLE THE GAS IN. TAKES 10 TIMES LONGER TO FILL TANK THAN IT SHOULD. SOUNDS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH OLDER FORDS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10704872
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL SPEWED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AS IF IT WERE FULL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED ONTO HIS CLOTHING AND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA #: 10704149
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

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

NHTSA #: 10701833
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH GAS THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND THE MILE TO EMPTY NUMBERS BECOME TWO BLANK SPACES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10701909
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

FILLED TANK TO FULL (AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF). WHEN I STARTED CAR THE NEXT TIME, GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAVE HAD THE MALFUNCTION OF GAUGE BEFORE AND HAS ALWAYS COME BACK AFTER A FEW MILES, BUT NEVER LIGHT. AFTER GETTING ERROR LIGHT READ, IT IS DETERMINED TO BE A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO DISPLAY THE FUEL CORRECTLY WHEN THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS. I MAKE SURE NOT TO OVERFILL THE TANK AS FORD WARNS THAT THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED (NOT JUST THAT THEY KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN). EVEN BY FOLLOWING THE MANUFACTURER'S PRECAUTIONS, THE PART STILL FAILED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10694740
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2015

FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING INTERMITTENT. TANK IS FILL UP WITH GAS, BUT GAS GAUGE SHOW EMPTY. SOMETIMES IT COMEBACK, AFTER AN HOUR OR SO AND THEN, AFTER 30 MINS GOES BACK TO EMPTY AGAIN. I READ THIS IS AN ISSUE ON ALMOST ALL FORD EXPLORER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10691966
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Sep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA #: 10632875
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2014

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

NHTSA #: 10587289
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FILLED THE FUEL TANK UP AND THE LET THE VEHICLE SIT OVER NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WENT TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS VERY CLOSE TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. AP *TR

NHTSA #: 10564319
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2013

EVERY TIME GAS IS PUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY, AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE GAS BACKS UP END SPEWS OUT OF THE GAS FILL TUBE. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUMP GAS SO THAT THE GAS DOESN'T EJECT BACK OUT OF THE FILL TUBE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME ITS A HUGE FIRE/SAFETY ISSUE AS IT NORMALLY AMOUNTS TO A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND, ALL OVER MY PAINT, AND MOST OF THE TIME ON MY CLOTHES AND SHOES, ESPECIALLY ON A WINDY DAY. I ALSO KNOW IT'S NOT ONLY MY VEHICLE, AND THAT IT MUST BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BECAUSE ANY TIME I GET FULL SERVICE THE ATTENDANT IMMEDIATELY KNOWS TO TURN THE NUZZLE UPSIDE DOWN AND PUMP AS THIS SEEMS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE BUT STILL DOESN'T ELIMINATE IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10553579
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2013

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

NHTSA #: 10522281
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2013

"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SHOW ANY DIFFERENCE IN PERFORMANCE. I TOOK TO ADVANCED AUTO AND THEY SAID THE "GAS TANK SENSOR FAILED". I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WOULD BE MAJOR JOB AND COULD TAKE MORE THAN 6 HOURS LABOR THE ESTIMATE WAS OVER $1000. BUT THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE, BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE " IS ON CONSTANTLY AND IT GOES OFF WHEN THE TANK IS ALMOST EMPTY. WHEN I PUT GAS, IT COME BACK ON AGAIN AND STAYS ON. GAS TANK NEEDLE DROPS TO EMPTY SUDDENLY AND IT GOES UP AGAIN. I CHECKED WITH MIDAS AUTO REPAIR AND THEY CHECKED AND SAID THE SAME PROBLEM OF GAS SENSOR FAILURE. IT IS ANNOYING TO SEE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, BUT THE CAR SEEMS TO RUN FINE. ANY CHEAPER WAY TO GET THIS FIXED? I DON'T HAVE ANY MECHANICAL SKILLS, OTHER THAN CHANGING THE AIR-FILER. I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10512966
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2013

FILLED UP THE GAS TANK THE DAY BEFORE AND NOW THE GAS METER ON THE DASHBOARD READS EMPTY. I KNOW THERE'S GAS ON THE CAR. NOW THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHTS APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE IT SINCE I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IT REALLY HAS. THE INFO BUTTON TELLS ME HOW MANY MILES I HAVE TO THE GALLON BUT HOW SURE IS THAT INFORMATION IS IF THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" IS ON. I REACHED ONLINE TO FIND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. COME TO FIND THE REPAIR IS PRICEY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!! NO ONE IS SAFE WHILE DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT SHOWS FALSE INFORMATION ON THE DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10497759
mediumFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2012

THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR. IT WILL RANDOMLY DROP FROM THE TRUE FUEL LEVEL TO ZERO FUEL. AFTER SOME VARIABLE TIME PERIOD IT WILL AGAIN GO FROM ZERO FUEL TO THAT ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT CONFUSES THE DRIVER AS TO HOW MUCH FUEL THERE IS IN THE FUEL TANK AND MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO STOP THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR SEVEN YEARS AND IT HAS PERSISTED ALL THESE YEARS. I CHECKED THE WEB AND OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10465650
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2012

AFTER FILLING UP MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY, AND THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO THE SYSTEM THAT TELLS ME HOW MANY MILES TO EMPTY ONLY SHOWS DASHED INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL NUMBER. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND PRICEY PROBLEM. THE DAY AFTER I FILLED UP, IT JUMPED TO HALF A TANK AND THEN BACK TO EMPTY. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK 3 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10448631
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2012

THE FUEL GAUGE QUITS WORKING WHEN I FILL THE TANK. IT STARTS WORKING SOMETIMES AFTER A FEW DAYS. THE INFO CENTER THINKS I'M OUT OF GAS AND SENDS A WARNING. VERY ANNOYING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10448278
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2012

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

NHTSA #: 10446298
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jan 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SENSOR BOARD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,400.

NHTSA #: 10443673
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE A CANNISTER WITHIN THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILAGE WAS 142,202.

NHTSA #: 10408990
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jun 2011

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

NHTSA #: 10405564
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL CAP BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE DEALER REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA #: 10402117
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Apr 2011

"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

NHTSA #: 10395615
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Mar 2011

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

NHTSA #: 10386325
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2011

GAS HAND DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, SOMETIMES YOU MAY FILL THE VEHICLE UP AND THE GAS HAND WILL SHOW EMPTY. SINCE THE GAS HAND STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON. NO WAY OF KNOWING IF I'M ALMOST OUT OF GAS..SO I HAVE TO KEEP FILLING IT UP SO I WON'T BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10383355
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2011

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.

NHTSA #: 10382727
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2011

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

NHTSA #: 10381611
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2011

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

NHTSA #: 10381352
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jan 2011

REFUELING PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WILL ACCEPT ONLY A VERY SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL AT A TIME, CAUSING AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF ON FUEL NOZZLE TO ACTIVATE. IT TAKES 15-20 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK.

NHTSA #: 10379031
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,TIRES
Filed: Sep 2010

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

NHTSA #: 10357442
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jul 2010

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

NHTSA #: 10346114
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2010

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

NHTSA #: 10313314
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Oct 2009

2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF ENGINE CUTTING OFF AND LACK OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE THEN HAS PROBLEM STARTING. COMPUTER IS SHOWING NUMEROUS FUEL RELATED CODES. DEALER HAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS PARTS AND PROBLEM STILL EXITS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10286281
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Sep 2009

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. 50500 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' DASH LIGHT IS ALSO ON. THE DEALER QUOTED ME ~$800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM (THINKS IT'S LIKELY THE 'FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT'). $200 FOR THE PART AND 4HRS LABOR. I HAVE NOT DONE THE REPAIR, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ON LINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10282718
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jul 2009

2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION: STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW CONSTANT. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF FULL, AFTER WHICH THE GAUGE WORKS PROPERLY. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. A SCAN OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NO PROGRAM IN PLACE TO FIX IT. SINCE THE GAUGE IS CAUSING THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON, THAT LIGHT CANNOT ALERT ME TO OTHER POTENTIAL FAILURES. COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $500. *TR

NHTSA #: 10278229
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2009

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WHEN YOU PUT GAS IN IT AT A GAS PUMP IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND SPITTING FUEL BACK OUT OF THE FUEL NECK ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE BEEN SEEING OTHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING. THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO BE HAVING GASOLINE SPRAY ALL OVER THE GROUND IN A CROWDED GAS STATION. NOT TO MENTION HAVE TO TAKE 15 - 20 MINUTES TO FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP. THANKS, JAMIE A. JONES *TR

NHTSA #: 10268788
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2009

WHEN YOU FILL THE TANK THE FUEL GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL YOU HAVE ABOUT HALF A TANK. FORD SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF ABOUT $1,100.00. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL - WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL? *TR

NHTSA #: 10268636
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Apr 2009

FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO, I HAVE DEALT WITH A "CHECK FUEL CAP" LIGHT THAT CONSISTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER I TRY TO PUMP GAS, IT USUALLY COMES SPEWING OUT. NOW IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT WHENEVER I DO TRY AND PUMP GAS, IT WILL ONLY LET ME PUT IN ABOUT 10 CENTS AT A TIME BEFORE THE LATCH MAKES ME STOP. I GET VERY NERVOUS AFTER PUMPING MY GAS, KNOWING THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR HAS GASOLINE SPILT ALL OVER IT. WHAT IF I WAS TO DRIVE BEHIND SOMEBODY THAT THROWS A CIGARETTE OUT AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT IT TOUCHS THE GASOLINE ON THE SIDE OF MY CAR? IN ORDER TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, I TOOK IT TO D&D COLLISION, AND ACCORDING TO THEM THEY SAID IT IS THE EVAP CHARCOAL CANISTERS THAT ARE CAUSING THIS REACTION FOR THE GAS TO COME BACK OUT OF THE GAS TANK. IT JUST SO HAPPENS, THAT USUALLY MOST CARS ONLY HAVE ONE CANISTER, BUT MINE HAS TWO. THE TOTAL COST TO FIX IS APPROXIMATELY $500 AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING THE FACT THAT THEY SAID ONCE THEY CHANGE THE CANISTERS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IF THEIR ARE MORE PROBLEMS. THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ABOUT 95% CORRECT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID THERE IS ABOUT A 5% CHANCE THAT THEIR COULD MORE TO THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD WITH GASOLINE ALL OVER THE LEFT SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT, OR ANYTHING, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS RANDOMLY CAME FROM. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON MY SPORTS TRAC EXPLORER AND IT JUST SEEMS THAT ALL TOGETHER, THE CAR WAS PUT TOGETHER IN POORLY CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10265314
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Mar 2009

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT COMING ON, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THEN THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE WARNING LIGHT. IN DECEMBER 2008 THE CAR JUST STOPPED TAKING FUEL, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS FULL. IT WOULD TAKE ME A HALF HOUR TO FILL THE TANK. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER, THEY SAID THEY CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS IN AND AROUND THE FUEL TANK, I PAID A BILL OF $370. THE NEXT TIME I FILLED IT WITH GAS, IT DID THE SAME EXACT THING AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY PUT A NEW FILLER NECK ON IT AND CHARGED ME $260. IT WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN IN FEBRUARY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN! I DID NOT WANT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IN IT, AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF THAT, IT FIXED ITSELF. NOW, THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT IS ON AGAIN, AND ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN, WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, I PURCHASED IT NEW AND IT HAS BEEN TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID I WAS HAVING THIS TROUBLE PUTTING THE GAS IN IT BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF GAS IN IT....EXCUSE ME, YOU CAN BET HE WOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT TO MY HUSBAND IF HE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10262968
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT FILLS THE FUEL TANK, GASOLINE SPRAYS OUT OF THE TANK. THE FUEL NOZZLE STOPS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS NOT FULL. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON, AND POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

NHTSA #: 10259780
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jan 2009

2005 FORD EXPLORER, GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING. SITS BELOW EMPTY, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. FOR A FEW DAYS IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN THEN JUST WENT DOWN AND HAS NEVER MOVED AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS NOW. HAVE TO USE TRIPOMETER TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC HOPING IT WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION. HE SAID IT WAS IN THE FUEL TANK AND TO CHECK IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AMAZINGLY THERE ARE ALOT! *TR

NHTSA #: 10255436
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Nov 2008

FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. HAPPENED IN JULY '08 AND CAME RIGHT BACK ON. THOUGHT IT WAS A "FLUKE" THING WITH MY FUEL FLOAT IN TANK. HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK. DECIDED TO DO SOME "RESEARCHING" AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. NOT HAPPY! PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES! *TR

NHTSA #: 10249875
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Oct 2008

LAST YEAR THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURES, AND WOULD NOT READ OUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. NOTIFIED THE DEALER, WHO SUPPOSEDLY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EVEN AFTER THE DEALER HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF COMPONENTS. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DESIGN FLAW, AS OPERATING A VEHICLE WITHOUT KNOWING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE ONLY WAY WE MAINTAIN A SAFE FUEL LEVEL IN OUR VEHICLE IS BY KEEPING THE TANK TOPPED OFF FREQUENTLY, AND KEEPING TRACK OF THE MILES ON THE ODOMETER. A NEWER VEHICLE, WITH MODERN ELECTRONICS, SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10246683
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2008

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0L V6 28,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 7, 2005 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THE END OF JUNE 2008 (INTERMITTENT LOSS OF FUEL GAUGE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON DASH LIGHT) CALLED THE FORD DEALER ON OR ABOUT JULY 1, 2008. WE WERE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK ENGINE DIED, NO WARNING NO STEERING NO BRAKES, (THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE FAILED TEST MODE LIGHT CAME ON) SHE MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT STARTED UP AS IF EVERYTHING WAS OK, MOMENTS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME SHE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED AGAIN WHILE MOVING. SHE DROVE IT TO MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY CAR HOME. *TR

NHTSA #: 10241711
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Aug 2008

MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ACT ERRATIC . IT WOULD GO UP AND DOWN , THEN IT WOULD GO TO BELOW EMPTY . IN LATE MAY THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON THE ENTIRE TIME . I HAVE NO WARRANTY AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP LOOSES PRESSURE AFTER SITTING OVER NIGHT . TODAY IT STARTED TO STUMBLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT . I AM DISABLED AND I CANT AFFORD 770 $ . THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES ON IT . I AM TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT THE PUMP/FUEL SENDER/ GAS CAP SENDER UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION , BECAUSE A VEHICLE THIS NEW SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM . *TR

NHTSA #: 10239553
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jun 2008

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

NHTSA #: 10232370
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2008

2005 FORD EXPLORER GAS GAUGE FAILURE. 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN TWO YEARS. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD IT FIXED. NOW IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. THE GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE 'SERVICE ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON. I AM DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10227193
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2008

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEAR NEW 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BELOW THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE FUELED IT SEVERAL TIMES, ALWAYS FILLING THE TANK TO THE TOP. EVERY TIME I HAVE FILLED THE VEHICLE UP, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE MILEAGE TILL EMPTY INDICATOR SHOWS JUST DASHES. IN ADDITION TO THE GAUGE DROPPING TO EMPTY MY "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" COMES ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLY JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE SO I FIGURED I'D HAVE IT FIXED. THEN OUT OF CURIOSITY I DECIDED TO CHECK ONLINE AND WITH OTHER FELLOW OWNERS OF THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER MODEL TO SEE IF THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE DISTURBS ME MAINLY BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GOD FORBID MY WIFE IS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 14-MONTH-OLD SON AND RUNS OUT OF FUEL DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE ON A DESERTED DARK HIGHWAY. SINCE THIS WAS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM I THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO COME ONLINE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. BUT I DID NOT FIND THAT. ALL I FOUND WAS A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. NOW MY QUESTION IS, WHY HASNT THERE BEEN A RECALL YET WITH AN UPDATED PART FOR REPLACEMENT? IF SOMEONE COULD CONTACT ME AND ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA #: 10226347
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2008

CONTINUOUS AND REPETITIVE MALFUNCTION OF GAS GAUGE. IT OCCURS VERY OFTEN AND IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS. ADDITIVE HAS BEEN ADDED TO NO AVAIL, I THINK FORD JUST WANTS OWNERS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AND PURPOSELY CONTINUES TO DESIGN VEHICLES LIKE THIS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN...WHAT IF I RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE FREEZING COLD WITH TWO BABIES? *TR

NHTSA #: 10226434
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Aug 2006

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC - THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM SWITCH SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN ALL BY ITSELF. ONCE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS AT A STAND STILL IN THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND AGAIN LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE VERY BUSY 405 FWY. THE TRUCK JUST "SHUTS OFF" NO GAS, NO NOTHING. I HAD ONE PASSENGER INJURED AS WE WERE PULLED OVER, A CAR WENT BUY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND KNOCKED MY FRIEND INTO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU CAN'T DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT WILL JUST TURN ITSELF OFF IN "MID-STREAM" I COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY BIG ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA #: 10164845
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: May 2006

GAS GUAGE FAILURE.ON THE WAY HOME FROM BUYING THE SUV,THE GAS HAND WOULD NOT WORK.RETURNED CAR TO DEALER.THE DEALER FURNISHED ME A NEW CAR UNTIL THE CAR WAS FIXED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED.WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THE MECHANIC HAD A BULLETION THAT FORD HAD ISSUED SAYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GUAGE BECAUSE SULFUR IN THE GAS WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. FORD RECOMMENDS USING CHEVRON ADDITIVE IN THE GAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.THE MECHANIC SAID THE VEHICLE HAD 13000 MILES ON IT THE FRIST TIME THE GAS HAND QUIT WORKING. THE CAR HAD 17000 MILES WHEN THE HAND QUIT WORKING FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW GUAGE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL ONLY HELP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND YOU WERE OUT OF GAS IT COULD BE SERIOUS. *NM

NHTSA #: 10156619
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jan 2006

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2004, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY GAS GAUGE WAS READING E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED MAY 13, 2005. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. SINCE I HAD FILLED THE TANK THE DAY BEFORE THEY WANTED ME TO DRIVE AROUND AND USE THE GAS UP. I REFUSED AND THE WOUND UP DRAINING MY TANK. WELL AFTER FILLING MY TANK UP ON JANUARY 20, 2006 AGAIN MY GAUGE IS READY ALMOST E AND THE DASH KEEPS TELLING ME I HAVE A LOW FUEL LEVEL. THIS TIME I WASN'T EVEN DRIVING IT HAPPENED AFTER RESTARTING MY CAR WHEN THEY FINISHED PUMPING MY GAS. BACK TO THE DEALER I GO AND AGAIN I AM TOLD THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT AND OR CHANGED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY DRAIN THE GAS AND SINCE THE TANK IS FULL I AM SUPPOSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL I USE MOST OF THE GAS. I AM TOLD THEY DO HAVE THE PART IN STOCK TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *NM

NHTSA #: 10148266
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Filed: Sep 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. SAFETY COMPLAINT WAS THAT LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID HAVE YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP FIXED. DEALER FIXED THE FUEL PUMP. NO CRASHES. NO POLICE REPORTS. NO FIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON ROAD WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, BEFORE THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA #: 10138145
mediumFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Filed: Aug 2005

MY GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN READ E AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON, ON A THREE MONTH OLD 2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH 2200 MILES. I HAVE TO GUESSTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE AND IF SOMETHING DOES GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE I WILL NOT KNOW AS THE LIGHT IS PERPETUALLY ON. THE DEALER STATES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THE PART IS BACKORDERED, I 'VE BEEN WAITING 3 WEEKS ALREADY. THE DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING ON 20 OF THEM FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT MY SITUATION IS THE FIRST THEY'VE HEARD OF IT. THIS CAN'T BE TRUE AS THE DEALER I TOOK MY CAR TO IS WAITING ON THE PART TO FIX 20 EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO FOUND THIS PROBLEM POSTED IN NUMEROUS FORUMS ONLINE. I DON'T THINK IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE OR WHETHER OR NOT YOUR ENGINE IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND EXPEDITE THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS BACKORDERED PART. *NM

NHTSA #: 10131507

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