2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The dash cluster don't work cant see your rpms,speed,the fuel gauge gos up and down can't see milage or trip meter if you hit the dash it will work but go out going down the road and I researched it and its a common issue and I cant aford a new dash cluster I got a speeding ticket yesterday because I couldn't see my speed and there was no one in front of me to go off of i was going 15 over

NHTSA complaint #11731749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

As I was driving to work one morning suddenly my headlights and all interior lights, such as the dashboard, suddenly went out without any warning and nothing electrical would work such as the radio and the windows and all the gauges in the dash dropped to zero or the needle fell all the way to the left. This has become an ongoing problem and I never know when it's going to go out or come back on for that matter and sometimes when it's acting crazy My speedometer will just jump all over the place. I believe this is a safety issue not only for myself but for other drivers on the road as my lights may suddenly go out as I am driving to work at 4:00 a.m. when it is dark. It is also a safety issue because when this happens I have no idea what speed I am driving or how much gas I have left or if my vehicle is starting to get hot. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer or anywhere else for fear of it costing an arm and a leg to fix the problem, as every single Ford that I have ever owned seems to have had some type of electrical issue. I do have video of my gauges going crazy as I am driving on the highway; however looking ahead in this form it looks as if I can only submit photos and not a video.

NHTSA complaint #11664289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

As I was driving to work one morning suddenly my headlights and all interior lights, such as the dashboard, suddenly went out without any warning and nothing electrical would work such as the radio and the windows and all the gauges in the dash dropped to zero or the needle fell all the way to the left. This has become an ongoing problem and I never know when it's going to go out or come back on for that matter and sometimes when it's acting crazy My speedometer will just jump all over the place. I believe this is a safety issue not only for myself but for other drivers on the road as my lights may suddenly go out as I am driving to work at 4:00 a.m. when it is dark. It is also a safety issue because when this happens I have no idea what speed I am driving or how much gas I have left or if my vehicle is starting to get hot. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer or anywhere else for fear of it costing an arm and a leg to fix the problem, as every single Ford that I have ever owned seems to have had some type of electrical issue. I do have video of my gauges going crazy as I am driving on the highway; however looking ahead in this form it looks as if I can only submit photos and not a video.

NHTSA complaint #11664289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FAN BLADES HAD MANY BIG CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC BLADES,THE DRIVER DOOR THE BODY IS CRACKED BY TOP OF DOOR HING BACK DOOR IS THE SAME, THE PAINT IS PEALING AND STARTING TO RUST ON TOP.THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #11377168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THE FAN BLADES HAD MANY BIG CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC BLADES,THE DRIVER DOOR THE BODY IS CRACKED BY TOP OF DOOR HING BACK DOOR IS THE SAME, THE PAINT IS PEALING AND STARTING TO RUST ON TOP.THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #11377168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

MY TRUCK'S STEERING COLUMN IS TIGHT. IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD LOCK UP OR BREAK OFF. THE KEY IS HARD TO TURN IN THE IGNITION; THE GEAR SHIFTER IS TIGHT TO SWITCH FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS IS OCCURRING WHEN I START THE TRUCK, THEN IT SEEMS TO BE FINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE MECHANISMS TO ENABLE A SMOOTH START. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. I WORRY THAT IT COULD LEAVE ME STRANDED OR THE STEERING WHEEL COULD LOCK UP. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE?

NHTSA complaint #11361982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FORD INERTIA SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND PROPULSION, CAUSING MY POWER STEERING TO GO OFF AS WELL AS ALL INSTRUMENTATION TO TURN OFF, WHILE MOVING AT 65 MPH. THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON FIND AN EXIT AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION, AND ONE THAT VERY WELL COULD HAVE ENDED IN DEATH. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT IT OCCURS VERY SPORADIC AND IT'S VERY HARD TO TROUBLESHOOT OR RECREATE THE FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #11204538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

THE DRIVER SEAT BACK KEPT FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE DRIVING, NOW THE SEAT BACK DOESN'T MOVE. THE PASSENGER IS DOING THE SAME JUST NOT AS BAD. THE HEATED SEATS COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE SEAT BELTS RANDOMLY LOCK AND BARELY RETRACT.

NHTSA complaint #11181630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER SEAT BACK KEPT FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE DRIVING, NOW THE SEAT BACK DOESN'T MOVE. THE PASSENGER IS DOING THE SAME JUST NOT AS BAD. THE HEATED SEATS COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE SEAT BELTS RANDOMLY LOCK AND BARELY RETRACT.

NHTSA complaint #11181630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DRIVER SEAT BACK KEPT FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT WHILE DRIVING, NOW THE SEAT BACK DOESN'T MOVE. THE PASSENGER IS DOING THE SAME JUST NOT AS BAD. THE HEATED SEATS COME ON WHENEVER THEY WANT, BUT THE HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT HAS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE SEAT BELTS RANDOMLY LOCK AND BARELY RETRACT.

NHTSA complaint #11181630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE, TIRE CAME APART AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE'S BODY AND POSSIBLY OTHER DAMAGES NOT SEEN. I NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER DAMAGES. THE TIRE IS A GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A. THE DOT # IS 4B08 DLWR 3701. TIRE SIZE P235/70R16. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-75 WHEN THE TIRE CAME APART. IT WAS TERRIBLY SCARY. I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART. I PULLED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REALIZED THE TIRE HAD COME APART. THE RUBBER COMING OFF THE TIRE CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF BODY DAMAGE. THE VISIBLE DAMAGES INCLUDE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT, RUBBER RIPPED OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER, MOLDING UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS RIPPED OUT, PAINT DAMAGE, TIRE WELL DAMAGE AND LOOSENING OF OTHER MOLDING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. A MECHANIC WILL HAVE TO INSPECT FOR UNSEEN DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #11162956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE, TIRE CAME APART AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE'S BODY AND POSSIBLY OTHER DAMAGES NOT SEEN. I NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER DAMAGES. THE TIRE IS A GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A. THE DOT # IS 4B08 DLWR 3701. TIRE SIZE P235/70R16. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-75 WHEN THE TIRE CAME APART. IT WAS TERRIBLY SCARY. I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART. I PULLED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REALIZED THE TIRE HAD COME APART. THE RUBBER COMING OFF THE TIRE CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF BODY DAMAGE. THE VISIBLE DAMAGES INCLUDE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT, RUBBER RIPPED OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER, MOLDING UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS RIPPED OUT, PAINT DAMAGE, TIRE WELL DAMAGE AND LOOSENING OF OTHER MOLDING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. A MECHANIC WILL HAVE TO INSPECT FOR UNSEEN DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #11162956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE, TIRE CAME APART AND CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE'S BODY AND POSSIBLY OTHER DAMAGES NOT SEEN. I NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION TO SEE IF THERE ARE OTHER DAMAGES. THE TIRE IS A GOOD YEAR EAGLE RS-A. THE DOT # IS 4B08 DLWR 3701. TIRE SIZE P235/70R16. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-75 WHEN THE TIRE CAME APART. IT WAS TERRIBLY SCARY. I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART. I PULLED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND REALIZED THE TIRE HAD COME APART. THE RUBBER COMING OFF THE TIRE CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF BODY DAMAGE. THE VISIBLE DAMAGES INCLUDE DAMAGES TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT, RUBBER RIPPED OUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER, MOLDING UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS RIPPED OUT, PAINT DAMAGE, TIRE WELL DAMAGE AND LOOSENING OF OTHER MOLDING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. A MECHANIC WILL HAVE TO INSPECT FOR UNSEEN DAMAGES.

NHTSA complaint #11162956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFTER WORK WAS OVER GOT HOME AN PARKED IT WENT TO LEAVE TO GO TO THE STORE AN IT WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WAS THE OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR I REPLACED IT AN IT DROVE PERFECTLY FINE I HAD IT SERVICED FOR OIL AN TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH AFTER THAT IT DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AN AS I DESCRIBED IN THE BEGINNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS O/D FLASHING WOULDN'T GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE SO I REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN THIS TIME IT STILL DID NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AN THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT IT HAS 212000 ON IT AN FORD KNOWS THESE GO OUT AN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP I GO TO SAID THEY REPLACE 12 EVERY MOTH CAUSE THIS IS COMMON WITH FORD VEHICLES SO WHY DOE FORD NOT COVER THIS AN WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS ON THIS IN MY OPINION THIS IS A COMPLETE JOKE ON FORD NOW I HAVE TO SPEND 2400 ON REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WHICH I THINK FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING IT FOR FREE KNOWING [XXX] WELL THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS GO OUT IN THEM FORCING THE OWNER TO PAY THE PRICE FOR NEW ONE IT'S ABSOLUTELY ABSURD FORD NEEDS TO GET THERE HEAD OUT OF THERE ASS AN REPLACE THESE FOR FREE FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PEOPLE ACTUALLY SPEND ON FIXING THERE CARS OIL CHANGES TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHES AND TIRES THAT WE HAVE TO BUY EVERY YEAR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11153599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2005 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND WHEN IT DOES, MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPS WORKING. MY TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, TEMP, AND FUEL GAUGES STOP WORKING. HERE LATELY, MY RADIO AND POWER WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND REPORTED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING AND SHUTS OFF AS WELL. NOT REALLY SURE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH IT, BUT WHEN EVERYTHING STOPS WORKING, I SIT THERE AND HIT THE DASH TO GET THE LIGHTS AND WINDOWS TO START WORKING AGAIN. I USED TO BE ABLE TO HIT THE DASH WITH MY HAND AND GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND THE GAUGES START WORKING. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD STORE AND TALKED TO THEM IN SERVICE, THEY QUOTED ME LIKE $400 FOR A PART AND JUST AS MUCH FOR LABOR, LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO FIX. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING, BUT WITH THE ODOMETER NOT REGISTERING MILES FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS CONSIDERED SALVAGE TITLE BECAUSE IT IS UNKNOWN MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11123241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CLUSTER GOING BAD AND CUTTING POWER TO ENTIRE VEHICLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD , CITY ENVIROMENT

NHTSA complaint #10934576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

DISCOVERED UNDERNEATH THE BODY WHERE THE BODY AND FRAME MEET FOR THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS, THEY HAVE NEARLY DISINTEGRATED ON ALL FOUR BUSHINGS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THESE BUSHINGS WERE MADE OF SOME INFERIOR FOAM MATERIAL WHEREAS THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE RUBBER AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT WILL COST AROUND $600 TO $1,300 AND IF NOT DONE WILL RESULT IN THE CAB FALLING DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRAME THUS CREATING NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS INCLUDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FAILURE OF THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL SPORT TRACS MADE FROM 2001 TO 2005. THE INCLUDED PICS BEGIN WITH THE DRIVER SIDE (DRIVER SEAT) FRONT BUSHING, DRIVER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING AND FINALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR BUSHINGS (BOTH IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND MADE OF ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL) DISCLAIMER: THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY SALT WATER (BEACH) ENVIRONMENT NOR WINTER WEATHER ENVIRONMENT (WHERE SALT WAS USED), OR MUD RIDING OF ANY TIME NOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH FLOODED AREAS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CONDITION OF THE BUSHINGS. VEHICLE ODOMETER READING IS 125,496.

NHTSA complaint #10920114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

DISCOVERED UNDERNEATH THE BODY WHERE THE BODY AND FRAME MEET FOR THE BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS, THEY HAVE NEARLY DISINTEGRATED ON ALL FOUR BUSHINGS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THESE BUSHINGS WERE MADE OF SOME INFERIOR FOAM MATERIAL WHEREAS THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE RUBBER AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT WILL COST AROUND $600 TO $1,300 AND IF NOT DONE WILL RESULT IN THE CAB FALLING DIRECTLY ONTO THE FRAME THUS CREATING NUMEROUS SAFETY PROBLEMS INCLUDING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY FAILURE OF THE TRUCK. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL SPORT TRACS MADE FROM 2001 TO 2005. THE INCLUDED PICS BEGIN WITH THE DRIVER SIDE (DRIVER SEAT) FRONT BUSHING, DRIVER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT SEAT) BUSHING, PASSENGER SIDE (REAR SEAT) BUSHING AND FINALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR BUSHINGS (BOTH IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND MADE OF ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATERIAL) DISCLAIMER: THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY SALT WATER (BEACH) ENVIRONMENT NOR WINTER WEATHER ENVIRONMENT (WHERE SALT WAS USED), OR MUD RIDING OF ANY TIME NOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH FLOODED AREAS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE CONDITION OF THE BUSHINGS. VEHICLE ODOMETER READING IS 125,496.

NHTSA complaint #10920114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

PUT KIDS IN CAR SEATS. GOT IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND CLOSED DOOR AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FORD IS ACTING LIKE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S EVER HAPPENED BUT I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ONLINE. NOTHING DONE, SO FAR. WAITING TO SEE IF IT IS COVERED ON INSURANCE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BELIEVES VEHICLE IS TOTALED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT PUT AIR BAGS BACK IN AND GUARANTEE SAFETY AFTERWARDS.

NHTSA complaint #10892610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

PEELING PAINT ON MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. IT IS PEELING MOSTLY ON THE TOP AND HOOD OF THE TRUCK. I TALKED WITH SOMEONE ON THE FORD WEBSITE BUT THEY SAID THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I TALKED WITH A PAINT AND BODY SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD PAINT JOB. THE ROOF ON MY VEHICLE IS NOW RUSTING AND THE BODY SHOP GUY SAID IT WILL COST OVER 2000$ TO GET IT REPAIRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN OKLAHOMA. WE ALSO BOUGHT A COVER FOR THE BACK WHICH HAD A FRAME AROUND THE BED OF THE PICKUP AND WAS HELD TOGETHER BY SOME PLASTIC CLIPS. THE CLIPS BROKE BEFORE IT WAS EVEN A YEAR OLD AND THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND WE WOULD HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE NEW COVER WHICH COST OVER 300$.

NHTSA complaint #10884355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. CAUSED ALL MY LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) TO GO OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE DARK ON AN 8 LANE INTERSTATE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO ELECTRIC SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER). FORD SAYS IT IS ON BACK ORDER. NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!

NHTSA complaint #10863307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.