YearToAvoid

2005 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2005 Ford Explorer, 17% of all 497 complaints for this model year. That is #11 highest engine complaint count among 21 Explorer model years. These complaints report 8 crashes, 4 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 68,500 miles.

Engine complaints
86
17% of 497
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
68,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Ford Explorer engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 22, 2005, latest Feb 21, 2024.

2005 Ford Explorer engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter52005 Q22007 Q12008 Q32010 Q12011 Q32013 Q32015 Q22018 Q3
86 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q2 to 2024 Q1; peak 2008 Q2 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2005 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Explorer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200586 (17%)
  2. 2006242 (38%)
  3. 200747 (23%)
  4. 200830 (20%)
  5. 20099 (27%)
  6. 201031 (27%)
  7. 2011113 (9%)
  8. 2012103 (12%)
  9. 2013316 (14%)
  10. 2014272 (16%)
  11. 2015299 (17%)
  12. 2016530 (22%)
  13. 2017317 (19%)
  14. 2018129 (18%)
  15. 201926 (9%)
  16. 2020162 (13%)
  17. 202169 (16%)
  18. 202238 (14%)
  19. 202313 (12%)
  20. 20241 (5%)
  21. 202514 (14%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have engine problems?
NHTSA has 86 owner complaints about the engine in the 2005 Ford Explorer, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 8 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 68,500 miles.
Which Ford Explorer year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Ford Explorer has the most engine complaints (530), compared with 86 for the 2005.
Is there a engine recall for the 2005 Ford Explorer?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Ford Explorer is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.