2005 Ford Explorer power train problems
99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2005 Ford Explorer — 20% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle jerked backwards while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be…”
filed Nov 9, 2022
“I sitting on a incline put it in reverse and started backing up and the transmission just let loose and started rolling forward it's done this several times and sometimes it want back up at all even on level ground had it checked it was full of fluid but done a fluid and filter changed. And it…”
filed Oct 23, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe
TSB-08-19-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2009Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements. *tt
0645 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
Power Train problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 2 | 9% |
| 2025 Explorer | 15 | 17% |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 Explorer | 11 | 11% |
| 2022 Explorer | 59 | 23% |
| 2021 Explorer | 112 | 28% |
| 2020 Explorer | 465 | 39% |
| 2019 Explorer | 34 | 12% |
| 2018 Explorer | 46 | 6% |
| 2017 Explorer | 123 | 7% |
| 2016 Explorer | 214 | 9% |
| 2015 Explorer | 84 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2005 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.