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 1 through 10 of 146.00

• 

  2005 xlt with over 190,000 miles - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By vegasq1 - June 10 - 9:35 pm

  My explorer is great. It now has 190k miles and no issues. I keep it meticulously maintained with scheduled maintenance and oil changes. I hope it keeps it up for my 12 yr old in 4 years.

• 

  Kinda Like My Explorer - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By tigger22 - March 11 - 12:10 pm

  I got my explorer as a second vehicle because I was trying to keep my miles low on my 2009 Mazda 6 SI sport fully loaded. At 97K and for my engine to be running as well i t does, I made a good decision. Disadvantage is my transmission doesnt switch as quiclk as my mazda but I deal with it. I wove how I could go outside in the snow and no one else can drive like I can. Overall its a good secondary car and as long as its good to me , ill be good to it.

• 

  Explorer does work but is no Jaguar - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By bonschmidt - February 21 - 7:54 pm

  Recently hit 116k miles. I started driving it around 112k. I drive this SUV as hard as I drive my 2001 Jaguar XJ8. I whip it around corners, accelerate hard, weave it through the twists at high speeds and the Explorer takes it all pretty well... but doesnt give me feedback like the Jag does. It doesnt react, and driving is not enjoyable as much as it is scary. I freak out and feel like Im losing control of it, something Ive never experienced in the XJ8. But the Explorer is resilient. The transmission has handled my coasting-in-neutral practice, high speed travels and incessant shifting well. With my driving style, abominable gas mileage is not just occasional, its expected.

• 

  Solid Truck & Tow Vehicle - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By tbill2 - August 19 - 1:02 pm

  We bought this vehicle to tow a 5,500lb boat and it does it easily and safely. We had bad reliability previously with a Ford Windstar and were reluctant to buy Ford again. But the Explorer fit into our garage (vs. the competing & huge GM products with 3rd row seating), had more than adequate tow specs, and had a nimble feel due to the independent supension. 6 yrs and 70,000 miles later we couldnt be happier. It has required only minor repairs, oil, brakes, etc. It rides smooth and quiet at xway speeds and is a powerful tow platform (glad we bought the V8). Gas econ is 16 - 18 which is acceptable given the fact that this is actually a heavy body-on-frame truck vs. the hybrids which are n

• 

  Paint Peeling - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By GG - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Do not buy a 2002-2005 Ford Explorer. Had I read the reviews on the internet under "peeling paint" I would not now own the vehicle with peeling paint along the front hood. It is bubbled and peels off in sections the size of 50 cent pieces. It looks terrible. Mine is not peeling on top or back (YET) but many, many are. The company refuses to do anything about the peeling problem. There are even some articles saying it is about the paint oxidizing and causes it to peel. Still no help from dealerships or company. A five year old car should not be peeling- -no rust the paint is just falling off in chunks. It looks awful! Never will buy another Ford!

• 

  Great SUV - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Mike Otting - December 25 - 8:09 pm

  We have had the vehicle for almost 4 years now and almost 78k miles and have had no complaints. We went to the dealer once for noise coming from the front of the vehicle and the dealer new exactly what it was and fixed it on an oil change. Something with the sway bar bushings. We have four kids and the room for seven is great. Here in the midwest we can get some good snow storms and this vehicle can get around with ease. The mileage could be alittle better. We get anywhere from 16-19 mpg depending on the time of the year. Our other vehicle is a 09 Sienna which we love as well, but I can certainly feel more quality with the Toyota, but for what we paid on the explorer it was a great buy

• 

  Ford Dropped the Ball with me. - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By Jack Day - November 14 - 8:53 pm

  I had TOO MUCH TROUBLE GETTING THE REAR END AND DRIVE SHAFT FIXED, TOOK ME 2 MONTHS OF WRITING LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS TO GET JOB DONE. THIS TOOK ALL THE FUN OUT OF OWNING A NEW VEHICLE. ALL FORDS FAULT, BAD PARTS. Handled very poorly by Ford!

• 

  Still one of the best values on the road - 2005 Ford Explorer
  By MikeD - November 3 - 2:03 pm

  The re-designed For Explorer is now a few years old, but its still one of the best looking SUVs on the road. The fuel economy stinks, but it handles well in rough weather, is roomy enough to seat 7 (though your cargo space suffers), and the sound system is great.

• 

  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.