2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 17%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,130miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 17% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,130 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Instrument cluster failure. Caused all my lights (interior and exterior) to go out while I was driving in heavy traffic in the dark on an 8 lane interstate. Took the vehicle to an auto electric shop for diagnosis. Took to Ford dealer for repair. Have been waiting for almost 2 months for the replacement part (instrument cluster). Ford says it is on back order. Note: this is a safety hazard!”
NHTSA complaint #10863307, filed 2016-05, 126,260 miles“The speedometer gets stuck at different speed and the RPM gauge does the same. This is very dangerous, you could be driving faster than you think. The engine check light also comes on. I can sometime reset using the trip counter reset button. This problem seem to be getting worst. My speedometer seem to be getting stuck more often now and it seem to be getting harder to reset.”
NHTSA complaint #10615785, filed 2014-07, 144,000 miles“My 2005 Explorer Sport Trac had a check engine light come on and when it does, my instrument cluster stops working. My tachometer, speedometer, temp, and fuel gauges stop working. Here lately, my radio and power windows have stopped working. My daughter was driving and reported to me that the vehicle starts shaking and shuts off as well. Not really sure what is going on with it, but when everything stops working, I sit there and hit the dash to get the lights and windows to start working again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123241, filed 2018-08, 149,325 miles“The driver seat back kept falling into the back seat while driving, now the seat back doesn't move. The passenger is doing the same just not as bad. The heated seats come on whenever they want, but the heated driver's seat has stopped working all together. The seat belts randomly lock and barely retract.”
NHTSA complaint #11181630, filed 2019-02, 155,000 miles“Instrument cluster cuts out and resarts then cuts out again causing no speedometer tach fuel gauge oil pressure temperature and voltage gauge to stop working. Electric windows won't work radio out odometer blank happens randomly in any condition idle driving every when not in the vehicle. You can hear the relay clicking from outside the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10862808, filed 2016-05, 162,787 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 4 | 17% |
| 2007 | 14 | 14% |
| 2005 | 11 | 17% |
| 2004 | 7 | 8% |
| 2003 | 11 | 14% |
| 2002 | 21 | 15% |
| 2001 | 14 | 8% |
| 1998 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology