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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,500 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 Sport Trac fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Comments

problem #10

Feb 262019

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 162,000 miles

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

Ford inertia switch. While driving on the highway at 65 miles per hour the vehicle suddenly lost all power and propulsion, causing my power steering to go off as well as all instrumentation to turn off, while moving at 65 mph. The only thing I could do is turn my hazard lights on find an exit and coast to the side of the road. This caused an extremely unsafe situation, and one that very well could have ended in death. The only issue is that it occurs very sporadic and it's very hard to troubleshoot or recreate the fault.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 102017

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 125,000 miles
Vehicle accelerated when the brake was deployed.

- Seguin, TX, USA

problem #8

Nov 302005

Explorer Sport Trac

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred whenever there was a front passenger riding occupying the seat and the passenger leg touched the fuel relay switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 052015

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 175,000 miles

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

This vehicle continuously just cuts off. We have tried several different costly repairs and the truck still does not run right, it is still cutting off. This is a safety issue because it can happen anytime anywhere, even driving down the road. I spoke with Ford and all they did was open a case file but told me there was nothing that could be done. We purchased this vehicle in December 2014 and was told the only thing wrong with it was that it needed the rotors turned on the brakes which we have done. Then it started doing this. We have had it towed 6 times in about 2 months. 3 mechanics have tried to repair the truck with no luck. We are tapped out trying to fix this truck. I feel sure the guy who sold it to us knew the truck was doing this but opted not to tell us. Also I blame Ford for the problems we are having, even their technician doesn't know how to fix the problem.

- Cheraw, SC, USA

problem #6

Apr 162015

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 108,000 miles
Fuel gauge on my 2005 Ford sportrac does not register correctly. Needle stuck at 1/4 tank and sometimes will move, but can not be trusted. Even after filling up, it will not show full tank. Have to use trip meter to have any idea when to re-fuel. This is very annoying and after researching on internet, we found this is a very common problem with Ford and has been a problem for a long time. This situation should be corrected by Ford via recalls on their vehicles. It could certainly be a safety issue while driving.

- Glenpool, OK, USA

problem #5

Jun 172014

Explorer Sport Trac 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving in town and it stalled out. It kept happening at least three times a week even when I was on the freeway. I had far too many close calls from wrecking or causing an accident. I went and had it looked at by a mechanic and he replaced the spring in the fuel reset switch. It is currently in the shop once more for the same problem. My check engine light is also on again. Has been for the last year. It claims there is something wrong with the fuel cap or the fuel lines. I've had a pressure test done and my gas cap changed and it still hasn't fixed the problem. Also my driver side door handle is starting to get stuck and my fuel gauge is no longer registering the actual amount of gas I have. I have so many problems with this truck and I just want them to be fixed. This stuff is dangerous and can cause legitimate accidents and safety issues.

- Mabank, TX, USA

problem #4

May 092010

Explorer Sport Trac

  • miles

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

While in park, the car died. Pushed car into auto parts store parking lot. Associate helped by resetting the fuel cut off switch located on the fire wall on the passenger side under the glove compartment. Since this first incident it occurred approximately every six months for a couple of years, then every month, and now almost weekly.it has occurred while in town at low speeds and on the highway at high speeds. Cannot find a recall but know of others who have had to change out this switch on their sport tracs.

- Meeker, OK, USA

problem #3

Feb 282007

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 15,000 miles
Every time gas is pumped into the vehicle, even when tank is empty, after a few seconds the gas backs up end spews out of the gas fill tube. It is almost impossible to pump gas so that the gas doesn't eject back out of the fill tube. I can only assume its a huge fire/safety issue as it normally amounts to a huge puddle of gas on the ground, all over my paint, and most of the time on my clothes and shoes, especially on a windy day. I also know it's not only my vehicle, and that it must be a common problem, because any time I get full service the attendant immediately knows to turn the nuzzle upside down and pump as this seems to alleviate the issue but still doesn't eliminate it.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #2

Jun 012012

Explorer Sport Trac

  • 100,000 miles
I started smelling gas about a year ago, but thought it was a gas can I was hauling around. Well one day I pulled my car into the driveway, and noticed a small puddle under my car. I got down too see what it was. I smelled it and it was gas. I then dropped the gas tank and seen it was leaking at the connection between the fuel pump and the fuel line. I then bought the fuel line thinking this would fix the problem. Too make along story short it didn't. it was a real easy to replace the line. But now I have too replace the top of tank too. My point is this part should be recalled. There should never be a part that should leak gas especially where it makes a puddle right under the gas tank. Imagine if someone threw a cigarette under my car, boom. People shouldn't have to die for this to be recalled. I'm not going to fix this, Ford should. Bad application. If anything happens I planning on taking Ford to court.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1

Mar 302013

Explorer Sport Trac 6-cyl

  • miles
The fuel gauge in my 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac stopped working recently. The engine light stays on as well. I wasn't sure how much gas was in the truck so I filled it up and the engine light went off. After driving for several days, I noticed my fuel gauge was still sitting on "F" which I know wasn't right, eventually the fuel gauge came down some and the engine light came back on and has stayed on since. I have about 67K on it now. I've really enjoyed this vehicle and have always maintained it's checkups. I'm taking it tomorrow to see what it will cost to fix. I don't like driving around and not knowing how much gas I have or the fact that the engine light remains on. I don't know if its on because the gauge is broke or because something else could be going on with the engine. Either way, I'm sure it's going to cost alot, what vehicle maintenance doesn't. I've read a lot of complaints about this on line and am surprised nothing has been mentioned about this by Ford; but then again, why would Ford want to fix something themselves when they can charge the customer an arm and a leg instead!!!!

- Dothan, AL, USA

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