The ford explorer from the mid-2000s is starting to show multiple defects. Ford co. Advised owners to report these problems through this complaint form because as of now they are not doing anything to recall the defects. The back panel below the back window cracks vertically right near the ford emblem. Some cars have multiple cracks. The majority of this type of ford explorer body type are showing the crack. It happens around the 5 year mark. I believe it is due to freeze/thaw happening at the back window, which then cracks the body. It is an expensive repair job and owners are advised to not even bother because it will happen again. It appears abruptly and is disconcerting to see this suddenly and for no personal reason happen to your car due to bad design. Newer explorers have been redesigned so it doesn't happen. The second defect which is happening now to many explorer owners at the 5 year mark is the failure of the heating system. The damper flap starts clicking non-stop and there is no heat. Again the repair is expensive because the entire dashboard has to be taken off to repair. These defects are widely discussed on the internet and this is the only real formal way to document them. The ford explorer has proven to be a real lemon, full of design defects and a real disappointment.
2005 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 151, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback door was fractured where the window ended and where the manufacturing symbol was located. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic to be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
My 2005 rear panel underneath window cracked by the emblem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the rear panel of the rear window. In addition, the air conditioner blend door was fractured and would not allow air to pass through the ventilation system. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
While driving my 2005 ford explorer, I pulled out from an intersection and had not reached the speed limit yet when the rear window exploded then causing both struts to the hatch to extend and therefore break the entire framework of the rear hatch. This window was in good condition with no prior cracks in it and there were no other vehicles any around me when this happened. Ford has taken no responsibility to this and I am forced to pay out of pocket for this expense.
The rear liftgate cracked from the bottom up to and around the ford emblem all the way to the rear window. I called the dealer and was told that this a very common problem and that there was no recall so I would have to pay for the repair.
This problem is very stressful on a senior citizen with a heart condition who's heart is functioning at 60% and on medication everyday. Upper back hatch has factory defect crack next to the lock, in the last couple of months it has been unlocking itself at random, while sitting still or driving. No injuries, muggings ,theft,kidnapping of grandchildren and/ or escape or theft of four children yet!!!. I do not have the extra monies to fix..it is fords factory defect that I see on explorers everywhere. I have contacted them , and they still claim no safety issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated the back tailgate was cracked. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to call the nhsta hotline since there were no recalls or valid warranty for the failure. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls or warranties related to the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Paint is peeling from the roof (over the drivers side and front passenger side) in the grooves of the roof. Also, the paint is peeling from the top of the liftgate.
Noticed the back panel of my 05 explorer was deeply cracked. Did some research to find that this is a defect of many explorers. I don't have to money to fix it and shouldn't have to since I did nothing wrong.
Electrical system , body structure , gas pedal.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the structure underneath the tailgate cracked under the window. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was advised that the crack was cosmetic and not considered a safety issue; therefore, there was nothing they could do. The contact stated that if the pieces fall off of the vehicle while driving a crash could occur. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Crack in panel beneath rear window. Known defect in explorers 02-05. Safety issue to other drivers should panel section(s) come off. Possible safety issue due to water, dirt getting into any underlying electronic equipment.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer limited. The contact stated that the vehilce's rear hatch plastic molding was cracked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer collision center for inspection, and they advised that there was not a safety recall related to the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.
After coming back from a vacation to the airport to get my car, I noticed the tailgate of my blue 2005 explorer xlt was cracked all the way through with a 8" long crack from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the tailgate. After a brief internet search, it turns out that this is a widespread problem that ford knows about, which they refuse to do anything about. I even have a ford full-extended warranty that covers everything and they still refuse to do anything. The repair will be $400-$500, which I am not going to pay for. It's a ford design flaw, they knew it back in 2002, yet continued to produce explorers with the same defect for three or more years. The safety issue is that the tailgate piece is broken and can come flying of the vehicle at anytime.
I noticed the plastic trim panel below my rear hatch glass cracked in half after getting my truck washed at a touchless car wash!! I've noticed hundreds of complaints across the internet about this, so it doesn't seem this is a random occurrence.
2005 ford explorer has paint peeling along the roof rack. The dealership said this is not covered by ford. While researching the problem on the internet, I found that this is a common problem for other owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The vehicle was parked when he noticed that there was a large crack that extended from the window to the lift gate. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 60,000.
Came outside and noticed a crack in my rear hatch going all the way down. Ford dealer says they will not cover it, even with a extended warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when she heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a fracture where the emblem and the windshield connected. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 77,300.
Plastic piece under the rear lift-gate window with a large crack across its entire height just to the left of the ford emblem. Ford dealership indicated it was just poor engineering and they will not cover or assist with the cost of repair or replacement, nor was there any plan to make available a metal version or properly engineered replacement panel.
I purchased a 2005 ford explorer in march of this year, after having it for 3 months the rear lift gate got a crack in it right next to the ford symbol. I contacted ford and was told this is not on recall nor is it under warranty, I have an extended warranty as this was a used vehicle, my parents own a 2003 explorer and the same thing happened, my neighbor owns a 2004 and also the same thing happened, I have also seen numerous explorers on the road with this problem and I want to know why is this not a recall, with the research I have done this is an ongoing problem for explorers ranging from 2002-2005, if this crack continues to spread my glass will eventually fall out.
Rear tailgate window portion with ford logo cracked vertically. I am assuming that this is from regular use since nothing hit the car. I only use the upper portion or the tailgate as if you use the larger portion of the tailgate, anything that you have in the rear of the car falls out. I would think that this issue could cause the rear window to be less than secure.
Hatch panel between window and latch split (cracked) when I closed window after putting in groceries. Car has 60,000 miles, called dealer in july to see if a recall had been established due to the fact that I know of 7 other 2005 ford explorers with the exact same crack, happened the exact same way. Told me no but sounds like a defect. Didn't offer to take care of.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the bottom of the rear liftgate that extended to the emblem. The contact called the manufacturer. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 69,000.
I have a 2005 ford explorer that has bubbling of paint and rust in the groves on top of my roof. I have contacted ford direct I have also contacted my local dealer who has also advised this is a paint defect and contacted ford direct themselves to have this defect repaired and ford states the only way to repair it would be if the roof has rust holes thru the top or if I was the 1st owner of the vehicle. This is very apparent that it is a paint defect and nothing more. I have done an internet search and found this problem is a very regular problem for most vehicles between 200-2005.
The rear panel under my back window is cracked on my 2005 ford explorer. What happens if it falls off and the person behind me has a crash trying to avoid it? Will ford take responsibility for their poor engineering? Doubt it. This particular complaint is rampant on the internet. I want to make sure the guy behind me can be assured he won't have to play dodge the plastic when it falls off.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The vehicle was parked when he noticed that there was a crack on the rear lift gate directly underneath the rear window beside the ford emblem. Over the course of a month the size of the crack increased. An authorized dealer was notified and he was informed that this was a common failure among these vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the paint is peeling from the roof and the roof is starting to rust. The manufacturer stated that this has not been an issue with other vehicles and it is not covered under any warranty. The contact is worried about the long term affects of the rusting. The VIN was rejected from the system. The failure mileage was 25000 and the current mileage was 58000.
Rear window trim cracked. I am now worried that the pieces will fall off and cause problems on the road to other drivers, but ford says this in not a safety issue and will do nothing to fix problem.
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