general problems of the 2005 Ford Explorer

24 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2005 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2005 Explorer.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/25/2020

Several times over the past two years while driving at high speeds all the electrical turns off like the key is turned off. It is almost impossible to steer as there is no power steering. It almost caused an accident as the car slowed quickly. I am concerned as this has been reported several times and nothing has been done to solve this issue. Either Ford should fix the issue or pull this car out of service before somebody is killed.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2018

Abs light and advance tracking light and 4x4 light and car with tracking light all comes on and the braking jerk when stopping. Also low oil pressure light comes on even after oil change.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/18/2017

My Explorer transmission just stopped working going down the highway, almost got hit by a truck. Electrical system kept going in and out. Checked with a Ford dealership they said it was a common problem with Explorers and there was no recall. I checked online and there was over 10,000 complaints made. I am in the military have 14 combat tours, and come home to have my life put in danger again on something that you all know about. When are you going to step in?.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2017

My gauges go haywire the needles shake while driving and when car is off no key in ignition. The lights flash as well. Car will stall in traffic at a stop, the rpm won't go above 2 even when hwy going 60 mph. Mechanic said it's electrical, the dealer took out top counsel as a work around for this electrical issue claiming it was not a recall.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2016

While parked in the driveway, we found that the back window of the hatch was completely broken and the body in the back was lifted off the car. It looks as if the hydraulic arm malfunctioned overnight.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/02/2016

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.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/05/2014

Electric windows won't work. All fuses are working. Some wires that go from the vehical frame to the drivers side door are severed and melted. The wires are in a protective rubber boot that is between vehical frame and door.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2014

Body issues: I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and have never been in a car accident. My tailgate somehow develope a crack that goes through where the Ford logo is. Nothing happened to the SUV to cause the crack. It just somehow happened on it's own. I beileve the vehicle is defective or at least the materials used to make the vehicle. Eletrical issues: another issue I have is with the electrical. My turn signals (most times) do not work. I have to manually move it up and down when turning. When it does work, it goes really fast. My reverse notification no longer works for some strange reason. Also, my radio goes louder when I turn it down. I have to turn it off for a little while, turn it back on then try to lower the volume.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/16/2014

Had fueled (full) 2 hours before. Gas gauge dropped to empty. Miles to empty shows dashes. Service engine soon light is on.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/07/2013

Misfires, coils keep failing.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/06/2013

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.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/05/2013

The vehicle shuts off while driving causing loss of power steering, power brakes with a complete loss of power. This is an ongoing problem and has happend during highway high speed driving. It happens on cars built 11/24/04 and prior. The codes are p2106 and p2135. It's caused by a faulty throttle position sensor and requires a powertrain control module reset b36. 11, b37. 2 or higher. This has been an ongoing problem thar Ford readily ackowledges. They have ugraded the throttle position sensor twice without solving the problem.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/13/2013

Traveling on 459 north, around the grants mill road exit, I encountered the poorly paved road/pot holes and my stereo/cd system no longer works. This problem had never occurred until driving on the poorly maintained roads in this state. Please contact me as soon as possible in regards to handling this problem.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2011

Dashboard - warning light for oil change required will not go off - had oil change 500 miles ago - not due for 2 more months - will not reset. Dealer said it was a bad oil gauge sensor.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2010

Electrical system , body structure , gas pedal.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/10/2009

Just driving along taking a mild corner and my 2005 Ford Explorer just died and the steering wheel locked up. Took to the local auto repair and they got two codes p2104 and p2112. Which has something to do with the throttle actuator. After speaking with Ford locally the part(s) for this problem have been on back order since at least August and they are saying they may not be available until Jan. 2010 or later.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/25/2009

On three occasions within the past three weeks, my car has lost all power. On two of these occasions, I was slowing down to make a turn in the road and on the third time, I was driving on a straight-away. Each time I was doing less than 40 mph. Only one time was anyone else in the vehicle but it was still very scary and very upsetting, considering I have only had the vehicle for 8 months. I am just afraid that this is going to happen when I am going faster or in heavy traffic. So far, I have been lucky and have not been in any traffic when this has occurred.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2009

05 Ford Explorer has repeated (engine throttle control) light warnings. The vehicle, while moving, loses power and then stalls. I shut the vehicle off, the problem seems to reset and the vehicle then runs fine. This has happened on (2) occasions and now feel the vehicle may not be safe.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/26/2008

On several occasions (about 6 times total) and without any warning, my 2005 Ford Explorer has lost all power. All incidents have occurred within the past 6 months with the most recent occurrence on November 26, 2008. Each incident has occurred at speeds below 45 mph and while coasting on a slight downgrade. My concern is that I will lose power in a crucial situation and not be able to steer or stop effectively since these features function most effectively with full power. In all instances I moved the gear to neutral and restarted the engine without any trouble. I did catch it one time before it lost power, again while coasting I noticed the tachometer drop to almost 0. At seeing this I tapped the accelerator, the rpm went back to a normal range and I drove on as normal.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/30/2008

I bought one of the sharpest SUV's I ever saw - a 2005 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 6 cylinder. It started randomly dying on me like the others I have read about (70+ on the interstate was the most interesting!) this vehicle doesn't have a cable from the gas pedal to the throttle; the computer takes the request from the pedal and then the computer opens the throttle. So, if the computer can't "see" what the throttle is actually doing, that could be a bad thing, and for safety reasons, shuts everything down (Ford's so called fmem "limp home mode"). Well, I replaced the tps, and it started again. I took it to the dealer, and in return for 90 dollars, they plugged a box into my SUV, pushed a button and then told me the pcm was bad. The pcm (powertrain control module) is the main brain for the car. Everything is either directly controlled by it, or by a submodule (srs, 4wd, abs, eatc, instrument cluster, tpms, and vcm) that it directly controls. Here is the rub: consider people that lose a limb, but continue to feel its presence. Thats because even in the absence of real time data from the limb, the brain has a problem and thinks it sees the limb. In case the analogy isnt clear, if the pcm begins to fail, it might say * sensor is failing. But the sensor is fine the brain is broken. If it is broken due to a heat or vibration issue, it can work perfectly for however long, then just go nuts for a little while. Thats what scares me the most this pcm controls everything, right? what happens if it commands the throttle to wide open, commands the transmission to shift to 1st, then fires the airbags? can you prove it couldn't? my problem in a nutshell is that an emissions control item like the pcm shouldn't fail in three years. Ford should just fix it instead of charging a grand plus labor. All of these others having intermittent surging, stalling failsafe mode and throttle issues I am betting is the same problem.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2007

After having this vehicle for only 2 years, the heater/ defroster does not work. It seems to be the switch that selects heat and cold is broken and only makes a clicking sound, and will not pull in heat to defrost the windows and warm up the passenger compartment. This repair costs quite a bit of money. This is also a severe safety hazard due to winter driving conditions and the need to defrost the windshield. I have seen several others complain of the same problem.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2007

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+.

23 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2006

: the contact stated the check engine, change oil immediately and check tire pressure lights illuminated on a reoccurring basis without cause. The onboard computer was reset by the service dealer each time. The manufacturer was notified.

24 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/08/2006

: the contact stated while driving at no specific speed all the windows went up and down, the driver seat moved forward and backward, the radio came on and went off, and the air conditioner came on and went off. Also, while attempting to apply brake pressure the brakes vibrated and a clunking noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The dealership inspected the vehicle and unknown repairs were made; however the repairs did not remedy the problem. The manufacturer has been alerted.


Other Electrical System related problems of the 2005 Ford Explorer


Safety Ratings of Explorer Cars
Fuel Economy of Explorer Vehicles
Explorer Service Bulletins
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Explorer Defect Investigations