Overview & Reviews
The 2005 Ford Explorer receives minor interior and exterior trim changes, and the AdvanceTrac stability control system is upgraded with roll stability control for better protection against rollover accidents.
- Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.
- Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on high-line models, lousy fuel economy.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 146.00-
Meh - 2005 Ford Explorer
By wwrx2 - June 20 - 8:02 pmWe bought our used 05 explorer in late 2006. It is an XLT model with the V6. It does NOT have four wheel drive. So far,it has been an okay form of basic transportation. The interior is boring. Ditto for the exterior. As time has gone on, more things have broken on it,but thats what happens with older cars,so you cant quite say its a money pit. The fuel economy is below average but not appalling. The worst parts are clearly the ride and the A/C. In Florida,the A/C is the most important feature in any car. Also-the CD player randomly swallowed a disc and wont spit it out. This was an attractive car in 06 but now you would probably be better off setting fire to your money.
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Dont Buy - 2005 Ford Explorer
By Found On Road Dead - April 19 - 9:23 pmI have owned my 2005 Exploder for 2 years. Yeah I said Exploder, because thats what the transmission did. At 39,304 miles and only 5 years old my transmission went belly up. I used to think that these poor reviews were concocted by GM dealers hoping to ruin Fords credibility.Now I have first hand experience with my own transmission nightmare. Stay away from these vehicles. I wasted my time and money babying this vehicle and maintaining all recommended services, because Ford didnt give a diddly squat about my premature transmission failure. By the way there is no dipstick to check transmission fluid levels. Apparently Ford thinks they are bullet proof. HA HA HA HA !
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Disenchanted - 2005 Ford Explorer
By WannaFord? - July 6 - 1:17 pmI purchased my Explorer (XLT-V8) new back in 2005, and had a great time with it the first two years. Then last year, started noticing the truck would "lurch" when shifting gears, or going into reverse. It was out of warranty when I took it in to the dealer to have the transmission looked at and was told it would cost me at least $2500 just to have the solenoid replaced and the transmission inspected, with potential additional costs. Took it to Aamco and had the transmission rebuilt. Runs great now, but now the AC comes and goes and cruise control is fickle. Have dumped about $5 grand into it in the last 6 months, and am now looking at trading it in for a Toyota!
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Angry but Fair - 2005 Ford Explorer
By Timmy T. - July 29 - 1:38 pm4.2L engine with electronic throttle body. No good. When you break into a corner, and then accelerate out the response time was generally 3 seconds. A member of my gun section worked at dealership told me that Ford is aware of the problem, yet has no new "strategies" for the computer, and had been given no indication as to when fix would come. Transmission was in 4 times in 2 months: 1-2 gear "strategies" reprogrammed, 1-2 gear valve body replaced, milky tranny fluid additive added, 2-3 gear valve body replaced, along with 1-2 valve body again. Went lemon law, was offered a collateral exchange, got a 05 Freestar w/3.9L engine. The van was 100% better than the Explorer.
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Not Nearly As Good As Expected - 2005 Ford Explorer
By michaela - June 8 - 8:28 amTraded in a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo that is sorely missed, for the Explorer in 2006. Instantly regretted the decision. The Explorer is not as comfortable or fun to drive. The gas mileage is worse. There is an electrical problem with the lights that the dealer cannot figure out. The dash cannot be fully lit without the "open door" warning coming on. Now, the rear left window has seized in the down position on a Friday night. It is impossible to manually put the window up, so it cannot be secured until Monday! I miss my Jeep!
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Ford Transmission are Terrible - 2005 Ford Explorer
By dennis - March 1 - 8:40 amThis is my third Explorer. I had a 98 that the transmission had to be rebuilt at 70K. Unfortunately, I was hit and it was totaled soon after. I bought a 2002. Started getting transmission warning lights at 36K. At 69K Ford finally admitted they cant find the problem and bought it back. I got a marginally OK deal if I bought a 2005. At 35K the converter went while I was on vacation. Spent part of my vacation sitting in the dealership and had to rent a car. I got the car back in time to return home. Back with Ford 3 times for the same problem in the next 3 mos. Now at 65K the trans is overheating and leaking. I am waiting for the diagnosis from the dealer. MY LAST FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AMERICAN - 2005 Ford Explorer
By CHARLIE2323 - January 16 - 2:00 amYOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU DRIVE THIS CAR IT WAS MADE AND DESINGED IN AMERICA. YOUR TYPICAL AMERICAN MADE CAR, WE MAKE THEM REALLY NICE BUT AS THEY SAY ITS WHATS ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. IM SO UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO TIMES IN FOUR MONTHS. I SHOUDA, WODA, BOUGHT A HONDA OR TOYOTA I WANTED TO BE PRO AMERICAN BIG MISTAKE.
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Gas Hog - 2005 Ford Explorer
By okmarshal - May 16 - 4:52 pmIve had my 05 almost three months, traded in a 98 2WD with 96k and very few problems. The greatest disapointment is the terrible gas mileage-14.2 avg. is the best Ive had so far. My 2WD got 17-20 mpg on avg. which ends up being aprox. 2 fillups a week vs. every 1 1/2-2 wks. with 2WD, Knew 4WD would be worse but not that much difference. Would not recommend this vehicle to anyone on a tight budget
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Not All That Great - 2005 Ford Explorer
By Jim - July 28 - 3:10 pmUnderpowered, fuel eating V-6. Not very comfortable to drive, blinker lights go to signal detent too easily when you select them for changing lanes. R\rear window wiper switch hard to locate and turn on. Power seat buttons hard to operate without opening door. You can feel the torque converter or something like it when you slow down from 70 to 55 same with going down a steep hill. Rear hatch leaks when it rains. All in all in my opinion this is not such a great vehicle for the money.
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Broken Gas Gauge - 2005 Ford Explorer
By 4work - November 4 - 5:18 pmThis car was provided by my employer for work. We have had it in the shop 3 times and going on 4 due to the gas gauge not working. Dealer says Ford knows about the problem and hasnt been able to find a permanent fix and also there are not enough cars with the problem to issue a recall. We were told to try different gas and a fuel additive (said it sometimes works on other ones), problem is employer provides gas via their own gas station which results in us having to pay more for gas, just for the chance that that will correct the problem. Since it is unreliable, I use my own car so I dont get stranded. I would not recommend a Ford product due to them not willing to correct the issue.
