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SeatsPart report

2005 Ford Explorer Seats Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 497 total for the year
Median mileage
36,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2005 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 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.

“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The vehicle had been parked for an hour and then caught fire. There were no flames, but the passenger compartment was engulfed in smoke. The passenger seat was almost entirely burned. The contact believes the failure may have been caused by the seat heater. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and the cause of failure has not yet been determined. The current and failure mileages were 36,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10211114, filed 2007-12, 36,000 miles

“Metal seat frame bar coming through outside of drivers seat.. I am 5' 3 tall, 125 lbs...not from over weight driver.. Very prominent metal bar makes seat almost impossible to sit on. Lumbar support didnt last 5 years...seat dangerous to anyone sitting on it.”

NHTSA complaint #11251812, filed 2019-08

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026717%
202533%
2024210%
202311%
202252%
2021174%
2020413%
201931%
201871%
2017161%
2016321%
2015161%
201470%
2013100%
201220%
201171%
20102017%
200939%
20082718%
20072412%
2006112%
200531%
200460%
2003121%
2002301%
2001246%
2000394%
1999685%
1998704%
1997382%
1996292%
1995192%
1994202%
1993303%
1992203%
1991163%

Other parts of the 2005 Ford Explorer

Body and structure
151 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
99 complaints
Fuel system
66 complaints
Vehicle speed control
44 complaints
Electrical system
36 complaints
Engine cooling
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaints
Brakes
18 complaints
Engine
17 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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