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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.

Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,664 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 012022

Explorer

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the top panel of the rear liftgate. The contact was concerned that the rear liftgate would fracture if she opened the liftgate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Fairview, MT, USA

problem #15

Dec 052015

Explorer

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, it was noticed that the liftgate was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #14

Mar 082015

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback panel cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the contact that the manufacturer had a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the paneling, but it was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 4/15/15 the consumer stated the panel below the back window was cracked. Updated 04/21/15

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #13

Dec 312014

Explorer

  • 71,420 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The back tailgate panel has a crack beside the Ford logo. Looked on line and saw this is a listed problem with 2005 Explorer.called Ford they were no help.

- River Rouge , MI, USA

problem #12

Jun 122014

Explorer

  • 92,210 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that a crack developed across the full length of the hatch back door. The glass of the hatch back door also shattered without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 92,210.

- Shacker Heights, OH, USA

problem #11

Mar 312014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
Without any impact or known cause, the liftgate cracked from the rear window, along the Ford emblem, to the bottom.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 072010

Explorer 8-cyl

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate door was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who verified the failure and stated that the rear liftgate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 45,000. Updated 02/22/12 the consumer stated the back panel that is cracked, is also soming unglued. The panel was replaced before at 20,000 miles. Updated 003/01/12

- Fair Oaks, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 252011

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Rear liftgate panel under window 10 inch crack in middle. Glass loose.

- Laurel, DE, USA

problem #8

Sep 282011

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hatch back panel was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the failure was a manufacturing design flaw. As a result, the panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 12/06/11 updated 12/12/11

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #7

Apr 162011

Explorer

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback door was fractured where the window ended and where the manufacturing symbol was located. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic to be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #6

Jun 012010

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2005 Ford Explorer in March of this year, after having it for 3 months the rear lift gate got a crack in it right next to the Ford symbol. I contacted Ford and was told this is not on recall nor is it under warranty, I have an extended warranty as this was a used vehicle, my parents own a 2003 Explorer and the same thing happened, my neighbor owns a 2004 and also the same thing happened, I have also seen numerous Explorer on the road with this problem and I want to know why is this not a recall, with the research I have done this is an ongoing problem for Explorer ranging from 2002-2005, if this crack continues to spread my glass will eventually fall out.

- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 172010

Explorer

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the bottom of the rear liftgate that extended to the emblem. The contact called the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 69,000.

- Convington, GA, USA

problem #4

Aug 232010

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when he noticed that there was a crack on the rear lift gate directly underneath the rear window beside the Ford emblem. Over the course of a month the size of the crack increased. An authorized dealer was notified and he was informed that this was a common failure among these vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 162010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel lift gate was cracked. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted to report the failure. The current and failure mileages were 18000. Updated 08/06/10

- N.Arlington, NJ, USA

problem #2

Mar 012010

Explorer

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel on the lift gate was cracked down the side by the Ford logo. The dealer stated that the crack was a design flaw on the vehicle. The contact stated that he heard the crack while pulling into his driveway at 5 mph. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The current mileage was approximately 61,000. Updated 11/03/10.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #1

Jan 212010

Explorer

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. While the contact was examining the vehicle she noticed that there was a large crack on the panel under the rear window. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 79000.

- Isle Of Palms, SC, USA

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