2005 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  12
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  1
• Cooling system
  1
• Engine › Gasoline
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  410%
• 25k–50k
  923%
• 50k–75k
  513%
• 75k–100k
  923%
• 100k–150k
  718%
• 150k+
  513%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound and shaking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the timing chain was fractured, and a plastic piece had detached. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle independently jerked forward. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle failed to accelerate with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle then abruptly accelerated at a high rate of speed without the accelerator pedal being depressed. Also, the low oil pressure warning light and check transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that they were close to home so they pulled into the driveway to check the oil level, which was low. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the engine bearing needed to be repaired due to damage caused by a defective oil sensor not properly informing the contact when the oil level was low. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact contacted the dealer capital city Ford located at 8623 e. …

Vehicle engine while traveling, generally at high rates of speed greater than 40mph, will randomly turn off. There are no warning lights, no indication on the instrument panel. The engine just turns off. The only way of knowing is once the gas pedal is depressed to increase speed and then realized the car had turned off. This is happening more frequently. I had to by a new car. Explorer just sits in the driveway. This happen randomly with no notice and generally while traveling at speeds above 40 MPH

While driving down the interstate at night my vehicles dashboard began to act erratic. Then the battery gauge rapidly dropped into the red zone. Within about 3 miles I lost my interior power, headlights, taillights, and signals including my hazard lights. When limping off the interstate my truck had lost enough power to where it died out. Once at the dealership it was found that the alternator fried out causing a surge that wiped out the PCM and utility cluster all without warning.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the technician diagnosed that the thermostat housing piece had melted and caused the leak. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 113,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the engine caught on fire. The fire eventually died without being extinguished. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

Car stalled while driving at highway speeds. Brakes and steering became impaired. Lucky, I was in the rightmost lane and was able to narrowly avoid collision. Incident occurred after a ~3hr drive as I was exiting the highway (I.e. Slowing down). Upon restart, engine turned over, but was undriveable due to iterative surge/stall cycles.

2005 Ford Explorer transmission issues. Very common on this model, based on customer/car owners complaints. Reverse is affected. Could not reverse quickly, almost hit by oncoming car. Very dangerous. I have children!!!!

I have a 2005 Ford Explorer eddie bauer which looses power steering control and braking ability at random. I have taken this vehicle into service at the dealership for repair but no satisfactory outcome is there. For the first problem of loosing the braking ability, the vehicle when started has no problems but after driving a short distance (few meters to up to a mile) the advance traction loss message is displayed in the message centre and the vehicle looses the ability to stop in the required stop distance. When applying the brakes, the pulsation is felt in the brake paddle and a screeching heard before the vehicle stops. Then once the engine is turned off, and vehicle re-started, the message is reset and vehicle works fine. …

Engine complaints in other Explorer years