Most common 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Share of the 66 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints by model year
Best Explorer Sport Trac years: 2006, 2009, 1997. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2007, 2004, 2003. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac:
Vehicle rollaway allegations
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), Ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column.
What 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
This vehicle continuously just cuts off. We have tried several different costly repairs and the truck still does not run right, it is still cutting off. This is a safety issue because it can happen anytime anywhere, even driving down the road. I spoke with Ford and all they did was open a case file but told me there was nothing that could be done. We purchased this vehicle in December 2014 and was told the only thing wrong with it was that it needed the rotors turned on the brakes which we have done. Then it started doing this. We have had it towed 6 times in about 2 months. 3 mechanics have tried to repair the truck with no luck. We are tapped out trying to fix this truck. I feel sure the guy who sold it to us knew the truck was doing this but opted not to tell us. Also I blame Ford for the problems we are having, even their technician doesn't know how to fix the problem.
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.
Electrical system
As I was driving to work one morning suddenly my headlights and all interior lights, such as the dashboard, suddenly went out without any warning and nothing electrical would work such as the radio and the windows and all the gauges in the dash dropped to zero or the needle fell all the way to the left. This has become an ongoing problem and I never know when it's going to go out or come back on for that matter and sometimes when it's acting crazy My speedometer will just jump all over the place. I believe this is a safety issue not only for myself but for other drivers on the road as my lights may suddenly go out as I am driving to work at 4:00 a.m. when it is dark. It is also a safety issue because when this happens I have no idea what speed I am driving or how much gas I have left or if my vehicle is starting to get hot. …
The dash cluster don't work cant see your rpms,speed,the fuel gauge gos up and down can't see milage or trip meter if you hit the dash it will work but go out going down the road and I researched it and its a common issue and I cant aford a new dash cluster I got a speeding ticket yesterday because I couldn't see my speed and there was no one in front of me to go off of i was going 15 over
Body & structure
Discovered underneath the body where the body and frame meet for the body mount bushings, they have nearly disintegrated on all four bushings located under the driver and passenger seats. These bushings were made of some inferior foam material whereas the rear bushings are rubber and still in very good condition. The repair for this defect will cost around $600 to $1,300 and if not done will result in the cab falling directly onto the frame thus creating numerous safety problems including structural integrity failure of the truck. This problem affects all Sport tracs made from 2001 to 2005. …
The front, driver's side, tire came apart and caused considerable damage to my vehicle's body and possibly other damages not seen. I need to take the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection to see if there are other damages. The tire is a good year Eagle rs-a. The dot # is 4b08 dlwr 3701. Tire size p235/70r16. I was driving on interstate I-75 when the tire came apart. It was terribly scary. I did not realize what had happened and thought the vehicle was falling apart. I pulled onto the emergency lane and realized the tire had come apart. The rubber coming off the tire caused quite a bit of body damage. The visible damages include damages to the driver's side head light, rubber ripped out the driver's side blinker, molding under the driver's door was ripped out, paint damage, tire well damage and loosening of other molding on driver's side. …
2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a good car?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Explorer Sport Trac rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Explorer Sport Trac at the same age. It is one of the Explorer Sport Trac years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The fuel & propulsion system — 16 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery. Next are the electrical system (11) and body & structure (11).
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2009 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2007, 2004 and 2003. See the full Ford Explorer Sport Trac years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.