YearToAvoid

2005 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

NHTSA has 66 owner complaints about fuel system problems in the 2005 Ford Explorer, 13% of all 497 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest fuel system complaint count among 21 Explorer model years. These complaints report 1 crash. Median mileage at failure: 58,750 miles.

Fuel System complaints
66
13% of 497
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
58,750 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2005 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 28, 2005, latest Aug 19, 2020.

2005 Ford Explorer fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter52005 Q22007 Q22008 Q32009 Q32011 Q12012 Q32014 Q32017 Q3
66 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q2 to 2020 Q3; peak 2011 Q1 (5).

Fuel System recalls for the 2005 Ford Explorer

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Explorer model year

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

  1. 200566 (13%)
  2. 200627 (4%)
  3. 20074 (2%)
  4. 20082 (1%)
  5. 20092 (6%)
  6. 20109 (8%)
  7. 201140 (3%)
  8. 201234 (4%)
  9. 2013153 (7%)
  10. 201471 (4%)
  11. 201594 (5%)
  12. 2016112 (5%)
  13. 201749 (3%)
  14. 201823 (3%)
  15. 201917 (6%)
  16. 202042 (3%)
  17. 202126 (6%)
  18. 202236 (13%)
  19. 20233 (3%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have fuel system problems?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints about the fuel system in the 2005 Ford Explorer, 13% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 58,750 miles.
Which Ford Explorer year has the most fuel system complaints?
The 2013 Ford Explorer has the most fuel system complaints (153), compared with 66 for the 2005.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2005 Ford Explorer?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005 Ford Explorer is classified under fuel system. 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.