2005 Ford Explorer: engine knocking or ticking

7 of the 497 complaints about the 2005 Ford Explorer describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 12 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2026
1
2023
7
2022
3
2021
6
2020
11
2019
1
2018
2
2017
4
2016
22
2015
10
2014
5
2013
9
2011
2
2009
1
2008
1
2006
5
2005
7
2004
8
2003
10
2002
26
2001
3
2000
12
1999
3
1998
6
1997
10
1996
4
1995
2
1994
1
1993
1
1992
1
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Engine · 92,318 miles · GA

Started to feel a loss of power and hear knocking from under the hood of the vehicle so took it to the nearest garage to have it checked out and I was told us that it was the timing chain and that the timing chain on a lot of the new fords have been going bad. No warning, no warning. It is recommended by everyone to replace the engine.

Filed May 20, 2009 · Engine · TX

March 08 I was driving my 2005 ford explorer when all of a sudden it started knocking and then came to a complete stop. I was never able to start the car again. I call ford and was told that my warranty had expired and there was nothing they could do to help me. I took the explorer to the shop and was told that a part in the motor had malfunction which cause damage to the motor. And my only option was to replace the motor. I then call ford again and was told they could not help me. I was stuck with a car that was not paid for and I still owed for. My only option was to replace the motor. I never had a problem with is truck until this happen.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · VA

We purchased a 2005 ford explorer in may '08 w/38000 mi. On it carfax, at that time, indicated a new transmission was installed on 2/9/07 @ 27643 mi. Lately the transmission has not been running good so we took it to our mechanic, who tells us it is a "ticking time bomb" and needs a new transmission asap. The car currently has 48953 mi on it. He encourages us to investigate recalls and warranty info. We called the dealership who installed the transmission in 2/07, they said it had not been replaced, but other parts (relating to the trans) were replaced. We requested a copy of the service order faxed to us. Once rec'd, codes and wording are very confusing but we believe it to indicate that the transmission was replaced. Also the service tech we spoke to told us the warranty was a 3 yr/36k mi so a replacement now would not be covered. We believe this transmission has a major defect if, in fact, it was replaced @ 27643 and the new one now has only 21000 mi on it. We called ford motor co service dept. Based on their records from the VIN #, they told us the transmission was replaced in 2/07. We were also told that the warranty was changed on the '05 explorer transmission to 3 yr/75k mi. (why wasn't the length of term changed also?). They also told us that the new transmission did not come with a new warranty of its own ' it fell under the old warranty. We've had this vehicle for 8 months; we've put 11k miles on it and it needs major repairs that were evident prior to our purchase. Questions remain: did the dealership replace the transmission in '07 or not? If not, what was done to correct the problem and was ford motor co. Billed for a new transmission? If it was replaced, why are these transmissions going bad after only 20-25k miles? And why won't ford stand behind their product?

Filed Oct 22, 2007 · Engine · 68,000 miles · RI

Following a increasingly loudening 'ticking' noise, the engine ejected a spark plug, destroying other components in the engine bay and rendering the entire engine useless. Shrapnel from the exploded plug entered the cylinder causing extensive damage. Force of plug ejection destroyed threads on cylinder head.

Filed Sep 6, 2007 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

2005 explorer with multiple problems with the engine and transmission. Customer states the vehicle has been to the dealer on 3 separate occasions for shutting off and passing gears almost causing accidents. *kb there was a knocking noise coming from the engine area. The vehicle jerked into passing gear while the consumer was trying to accelerate. The transmission gasket was replaced. The cruise control would not engage. The left turn signal bulb was replaced.

Filed Apr 2, 2007 · Brakes · VA

Tl - the vehicle owns a 2005 ford explorer. The vehicle hestitates and there is a knocking noise. The contat stated the vehicle will slow down on it's on. There are no warning indicators. The dealer can not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 2000.

Filed Nov 13, 2006 · Engine · 39,000 miles · NY

We started to hear knocking from under the hood of our vehicle, so we took it to a garage to have it checked out and the dealership told us that it was the timing chain and that the timing chain on a lot of the new fords has been going up. Now our 2005 ford explorer xlt will not start and is sitting in our driveway.