2005 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,376miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,376 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2005 Ford Explorer front wheel bearings bad at 87,000 miles and ball joints have slack in them. Ridiculous that a car this nice has such problems. Lots of complaints about the same thing on the internet, rear end has a roar in it too, of course I can't afford to get this stuff fixed. Ford should recall these auto and fix all these problems. This should not be happening on a new vehicle which has never pulled anything, only driven to work and back 12 miles a day and top speed is 45 miles per hour. Last Ford I will ever own.”
NHTSA complaint #10371896, filed 2010-12, 87,000 miles“2005 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to premature failure of ball joints. The consumer stated after a scheduled tire rotation, it was discovered the upper ball joints were out of specifications, which resulted in them being replaced. The consumer stated the front suspension was severely compromised.”
NHTSA complaint #10494303, filed 2013-01, 66,704 miles“2005 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle rear axle leaking. The consumer stated the rear axles were replaced at 59,752. A year later after listening to the noise in the rear end for quite some time, the problem returned. Six months later, they were replaced again. Also, the rear panel beneath the window was rusted and the throttle needs to be replaced, as it is causing vehicle hesitation.”
NHTSA complaint #10572495, filed 2014-03, 59,752 miles“There are two cracks on the back top lift gate which allows water to get to the electric locks and it opens by itself when wet. The wheels bearings have to be replaced about every 3 months. The passenger front belt tightens and will not loosen.”
NHTSA complaint #10883770, filed 2016-07, 15,000 miles“Dt: 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact states the vehicle has been in the repair shop four times with nine repairs since purchase, approximately a month ago. The rear axle assembly/wheel bearings had to be replaced. Also, the rear window on the driver's side/the pulley in the motor, had to be replaced, and the computer chip had to be reset. The key was getting stuck in the ignition; the dealership could find what was wrong with ignition. There were other problems with the vehicle, but the contact did not have that information . The contact was asking Ford to take the vehicle back at this time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139496, filed 2005-10, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018064Oct 7, 2005Noise from rear wheel hub bearings.
- 10016789Jan 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 36 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% |
| 1994 | 65 | 5% |
| 1993 | 59 | 6% |
| 1992 | 60 | 9% |
| 1991 | 33 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Explorer
151 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsFuel system
66 complaintsVehicle speed control
44 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsWheels
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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