2005 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 99about this part
- Share
- 20%of 497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 99 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Explorer, 20% of the 497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car suddenly quit and the engine fail safe light came on. Computer scan showed the throttle actuator/control was stuck closed, and could clear any codes. Vehicle would not move at all.. I had to have it towed back to my home. Engine would not run at more than an idle with the accelerator fully depressed, and there would be no change in the RPM.”
NHTSA complaint #10564141, filed 2014-02, 126,341 miles“My Explorer transmission just stopped working going down the highway, almost got hit by a truck. Electrical system kept going in and out. Checked with a Ford dealership they said it was a common problem with explorers and there was no recall. I checked online and there was over 10,000 complaints made. I am in the military have 14 combat tours, and come home to have my life put in danger again on something that you all know about. When are you going to step in?”
NHTSA complaint #11047135, filed 2017-11, 87,000 miles“I have 2005 Ford Explorer that I was driving in freeway with speed of 60mph with 3 kids in the vehicle and my wife and just tranny failed and speed drop almost get in accident now I am without the car and without the work I did change my toyota to the american vehicle 2 years ago to help economy of USA and now I have no idea that where I get $3000.00 to replace the tranny.”
NHTSA complaint #10410242, filed 2011-07, 120,000 miles“Bought 2005 Ford Explorer with only $5700 miles on vehicle. By the time I had 60k miles, o/d light started flashing and I had to get new transmission. Now my vehicle has 125k miles and o/d light is on again. Will need another transmission. Both times, vehicle does not shift gears correctly and sounds like your transmission is going to fall out while driving down the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10345204, filed 2010-07, 60,000 miles“My vehicle fails to shift from park to reverse when the brake is applied. There are several clicks and multiple attempts need to be made before the vehicle will shift from park to reverse. This occurs all almost everytime I attempt to place the vehicle in reverse. My vehicle only has 12k miles on it and this should not be happening.”
NHTSA complaint #10272378, filed 2009-05, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10019947Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements.
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10018069Sep 1, 2005A tiny crack, or cracks, around the transfer case drain plug hole.
- 10012952Jun 7, 2005Driveline 1st order vibration/boom/drone.
- 10013306May 27, 2005Improperly formulated transmission fluid that, over time, may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements. Customer satisfaction program 04b22. 5r55s/e & 5r44e transmission fluid…
- 10014668May 1, 2005Axle seal leaks.
- 10017898Apr 1, 2005Delayed or harsh reverse engagements - 5r55s transmission - vehicles built prior to 09/23/2004.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Explorer
151 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 complaintsSuspension
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 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