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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,392 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.
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.
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. Washington St, indianapolis, in 46219) who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,406. Invalid VIN.
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
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 Explorer 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?
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.
- Laona, WI, USA
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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.
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.
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.
Defective throttle body assemblies and sensors. Randomly engine goes into fail safe mode and has stalled while driving, at traffic lights, and during turns. Instrument panel is now going haywire. Message center reports low oil pressure, check charging systems, tire sensor failure fault, change oil soon, and oil is fine. Battery has been checked. Tire sensors, alternator...all fine. It's all I have and I must drive it to work each day! bought used in November 2013. Had 69K miles at purchase. Now has 103K miles. It doesn't feel safe :O( please help!
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.
Electric windows won't work. All fuses are working. Some wires that go from the vehicle frame to the drivers side door are severed and melted. The wires are in a protective rubber boot that is between vehicle frame and door.
Body issues: I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and have never been in a car accident. My tailgate somehow develop 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 believe the vehicle is defective or at least the materials used to make the vehicle. Electrical 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.
Because of the recent GM recall ignition issue, I thought I should let someone know about the serious similar issue I had 3 times before I traded my car in. The car would just shut off while driving. And all 3 times, I pulled to the side of the road and restarted the car and continued on my way. I was lucky to have a place to pull over safely. I took it to my mechanic twice, found nothing wrong. Took it to Ford and they found nothing wrong. I traded the 2005 for a 2011. I also told the dealer that I traded it into about the engine just shutting off for no reason and to check out the problem before they sold it again.
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.
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.
While stopped at a traffic light I switched on my turn signal to indicate a right turn and noticed the normal click of the turn signal was not occurring. I looked down at my instrument panel and saw the right turn light was lit but not flashing. The rest of the trip I had to continually turn on and turn off the turn signal to let others now my intentions since the signals would no longer flash. Finally I rapidly worked the switch up and down and was able to get the turn signals to operate correctly again. Also on other occasions the signal would click very fast which and the actual signal light would not flash or light but would eventually start working again. I assumed it was a burned-out bulb but when it came back on again I knew that was not the case. I saw a recall recently for the turn signal switch on Ranger pickups and Excursion SUVS in the age range of my vehicle and this seems to be exactly what is happening with my Explorer.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Midvale, ID, USA