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 31 through 40 of 146.00

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By nymets78 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my explorer for all the great features including the 4WD, third row seat, dual climate control. The towing package is great as well and it tows very well.

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  My Ford Explorer - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By James Shultz - April 20 - 7:13 am

  I bought the vehicle on a whim and loved the way it handled. I quit driving my Cadillac DeVille and after it sat in the garage (undriven) for 8 months, the battery was stone dead. At that point I put an ad in the paper and sold it. Now all I drive is the Explorer. It sits high for great visibility, has great clearance, and rides very comfortably. The 4-wheel drive is super easy to use.

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  What you would expect. - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Rick - April 18 - 9:20 am

  Right now the deals on these are unbeatable. For the price you need to pay to get into one of these there is nothing out there that can touch it. It has an average-above-average rating as a mid-size SUV at a small car price.

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  Could Be Better - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Jay - March 15 - 2:43 pm

  Well gas mileage stinks I only get 13- 14mpg. Could have bought at Expedition they do better. This vehicle has been reliable and I like it except for the transmission it stinks. It shifts hard,it feels like it trips, or doesnt know what to do. When slowing down it clunks into a lower gear. Supposedly though dealer says its fine. So put aside tranny and bad mpg Im pleased.

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  Fordisms - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By HD - February 27 - 11:20 am

  Nice truck overall, nice ride, quiet cab, good handling performance, great power, acceptable fit & finish. Many "Fordisms", however, i.e. shifter on the column, fixed external wire antenna, truck like passenger seats, class II hitch, lousy radio, aesthetically challenged control panel. Minor issues if remedied would go a long way and bring the truck to the next level. Buy it to fulfill your basic transportation needs.

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  Great looking and fun to drive - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Mark - December 12 - 6:20 pm

  I bought this vehicle for my wife and she loves it. The new chrome wheels, step bars and roof rack really set it a part from the others. Gets lots of looks, and has the upgraded stereo that sounds great. Best sounding radio I have ever heard in a factory Ford. Had my doubts about the V-6 but it has plenty of power, although if I was going to do much pulling I would go with the V-8, but only 20 or so horse power difference. All the power the wife need to carry the baby and groceries.

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  Safe Family Vehicle and Easy Driver - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Garrett - December 5 - 1:06 am

  Bought my Explorer last month, and absolutely enjoy it. My wife loves it as well. We like the exterior and interior looks, we like the comfort, and tighter-than-most trucks turning radius, and we like the outstanding five star crash ratings. We bought it for room to carry baby things, for the four wheel drive, and for safety. Recommended to any family, small or big!

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  Never a problem - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Richard - November 5 - 5:56 am

  I have purchased 3 Ford Explorers since 2002 and have not had a problem with any of them. They are by far the best autos I have ever owned. I plan to buy new ones when these are 4 years old. Just super autos. All three autos are still working super.

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  My first New Car - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Sheilah99 - October 29 - 4:05 am

  We bought this new in 2005 and had in shop several times during 36,000 mi warranty for a variety of reasons. Dealership unable to identify weird sound from rear wheel, brakes that comes on after long trips. Decent mileage on road/city: 22/17. Have also experienced rear windows sticking and not able to open in hot TX summer, but working fine now in cooler fall (dealership ignored problem when reported). Now that were fitting two baby carseats in car, we wish we had more room in backseat so that front seat doesnt have to be pushed forward to fit infant seat. Leather has been great, but experiencing cracking on front seat at sides. Had to replace dealer stereo to accomodate ipod hook- up.

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  Angry but Fair - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Timmy T. - July 29 - 1:38 pm

  4.2L 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.