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 21 through 30 of 146.00

• 

  Great Company Car - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By GBWinMA - October 23 - 2:46 am

  This is a vehicle supplied to me from my employer. It is a lot of fun to drive and also very comfortable. Both interior and exterior appointment blend nicely. My only complaint is the dealership. The running board is a third party one and no by Ford. It is narrow and has actually been put on backwards by the dealership. They say they will fix it, but that was two weeks ago... and nothing. The second complaint is that the car was supposed to come with factory mats and they werent. Again, Framingham Ford promised to get me factory mats ASAP. Its been over a month and still no mats, despite follow up phone calls. This is my second experience with "dont care" Ford Dealerships!

• 

  Will buy another - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By US Car faithful - October 17 - 8:19 am

  Purchased used with 33,000 miles now have 88,000 I have had no problems at all. 20 miles per gallon w/air and 18 city. Change oil every 3000 miles. Air does blow on my feet though when it is put on upper flow only. Runs great good pickup to pass when air off. Will purchase another. Had Chevy Lumina and had to replace engine at 100,000 miles, Had Buick Regal had continuous problems Had 2003 Implala some problems and traded in on the 05 Explorer. Glad I did.

• 

  Wont have another one... - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By ryan - September 10 - 12:57 pm

  Overall, the vehicle has been pretty reliable, but the transmission has been horrible from the get-go. It kicks real hard when going into reverse and response time is super slow at all times. Rear windows stick at times. A crack suddenly appeared next to the ford logo on the back. Have since noticed several other explorers with the same crack. This was my first new vehicle and has not left me with a good impression of American vehicles.

• 

  Best midsize SUV - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Kerwin Chan - August 16 - 1:56 am

  So far the best SUV i have own and driven... better than the toyota rav4, mitsubishi montero... excellent buy for a fully loaded eddie bauer edition.

• 

  Transmission - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By John - August 10 - 8:43 pm

  I have heard lots of stories about bad trannies. Changed all my fluids at 30,000. I was told that this might be an important factor in the longevity of the transmission. Mine has always had an annoying jerk going from park into gear even from new. (My 4runner was a smooth bump like it should be) Other than that and the LR window not working all the time it really hasnt given me any problems.

• 

  My 2005 Explorer-information needed - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By jscottelwood - July 21 - 8:39 pm

  Bought with 89,000 miles, now has 105,000 and still looks and drives mint. Need to find out two things. Have a leak in the sprayer hose for hatch window (somewhere between passenger front and rear doors) and lumbar adjustment has quit working. I would like to know where to get repair information on these two subjects. Can anyone help?

• 

  Disenchanted - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By WannaFord? - July 6 - 1:17 pm

  I 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!

• 

  Never Again! - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By LexiRae - June 23 - 7:53 pm

  I bought the explorer with 60k on it. Had it for 6 months. Loved it at first, until I came back from a long weekend. I went to start my explorer and it didnt start. Finally after about an hour of trying, it started and I had three different dummy lights on. Low oil pressure, 4X4 light, check engine light. Brought it to a mechanic, cost me $350 to fix and even after it was fixed the truck still shook like I was in four wheel drive. Brought it back to the mechanic who couldnt find anything wrong with it. Certainly not my most reliable vehicle. Traded it after only 6 months for a Toyota... Best thing I ever did!

• 

  No More Fords - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Mr. Unhappy - June 21 - 5:38 pm

  As long as I was not putting too many miles on my Ford, it seemed like a decent vehicle. Now that I have been driving regularly the past six months major problems have occured. First the seat started rocking back and forth, then the transmission started slipping between 2nd and 3rd,now the real winner, the serpentine belt pulley on the harmonic balancer has separated and the belt coming off. Apparently all inherent problems with this vehicle from what I read on the internet.Dealer wants two arms and a leg to fix. Next car anything but a Ford, GM or Chrysler.

• 

  Great SUV - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Mi70 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Great Suv I have had no issues and I am very happy with the Explorer.