2005 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 5%of 497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Both sun visors in my 2005 Explorer broke within a day of each other. The small plastic holder on each of them shatter into microscopic pieces with nothing on the visors. No cd holders or sunglasses either. They just broke while driving down the road. They were both folded up and not being used. It was very strange. It happened when I was driving and I felt like it was very dangerous because it dangled by a wire that could not be cut due to what it was connected to. I tried electrical tape and anything I could think of but it would not stay up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10231385, filed 2008-06, 43,000 miles“While stopped at a red light on a residential street, the rear window exploded. It appears the right rear window hinge had rotated out of position and fractured, causing the window to break. The hydraulic arms extended since the window was no longer there to hold them back, which caused the lift gate frame to bend, plastic to crack, and electrical wires to be exposed.”
NHTSA complaint #10930092, filed 2016-12, 133,000 miles“Driver's side sun visor plastic mounting bracket failed (cracked) causing visor to drop and hang by electrical wire supplying power to lighted mirror. Entire visor assembly was required because individual part (small plastic mounting bracket) was not sold individually. Visor rarely if ever used. Replacement was at owner's expense and not covered under premium extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10359963, filed 2010-10, 44,000 miles“Passenger visor plastic mounting bracket failed (cracked) driver side visor plastic mounting bracket failed (cracked) two months earlier and reported separately. Entire visor assembly had to be purchased because this small part was not sold or supplied separately. Was not covered under extended premium warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10359965, filed 2010-10, 46,024 miles“After having this vehicle for only 2 years, the heater/ defroster does not work. It seems to be the switch that selects heat and cold is broken and only makes a clicking sound, and will not pull in heat to defrost the windows and warm up the passenger compartment. This repair costs quite a bit of money. This is also a severe safety hazard due to winter driving conditions and the need to defrost the windshield. I have seen several others complain of the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10257816, filed 2009-02, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016832Jan 1, 2005Backglass difficult to close and an intermittent door ajar lamp.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 69 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 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 27, 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