15 of the
604 complaints about the 2005 Ford Explorer are about the
airbag system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
63,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A BACKYARD, DROVE OVER A CURB, DROVE THROUGH A NEIGHBOR'S BACKYARD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BLACK EYES AND A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CRASH WAS NOT IN RELATION TO ANY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,673.
NHTSA complaint #11186174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSterling, AK1 killed
AIR BAGS
TAKATA AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER A HEAD ON COLLISION ON A HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #10863947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesAlamo, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. DRIVING IN THE CITY MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAVE A CRASH AND AIR BAGS DO NOT OPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10836672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,570 milesWellington, CO
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AND REAR CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,570.
NHTSA complaint #10703608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesHenrico, VA1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE ARM AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE PART NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST HER ANY FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10487594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesMentor, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, BY AMBULANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10427549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesRomeoville, ILCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION THIS MORNING AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10331949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesEast Syracuse, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH IN SLIGHTLY ICY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SLID OVER BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARM, SHOULDERS AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER ADVISED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 62,000. UPDATED 07/13/2010.
NHTSA complaint #10327729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,740 milesNavarre, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON HWY 98 IN FLORIDA WHEN THE VEHICLE SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES TO STOP AT THE YELLOW LIGHT, MY REACTION TIME WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP IN TIME TO NOT HIT HIM. I HIT THE BACK OF THE WORK VAN GOING BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. MY SEATBELT WAS FASTENED AND THE INERTIA REEL NEVER LOCKED IN. MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY FRONT BUMPER MADE SOLID IMPACT. I AM TAKING MY VEHICLE TO A SHOP ON TUESDAY TO HAVE EVERYTHING LOOKED AT AND FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10268918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,113 milesOakland, CA
AIR BAGS
2005 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVING ON A TWISTY COASTAL HIGHWAY, ABOUT 35 MPH, TURNED WHEEL TO FOLLOW RIGHT HAND TURN IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL, OR TO THE BRAKES. I HAD TO WRENCH THE WHEEL REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO KEEP FROM DRIVING OFF OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY PULLED TO THE SIDE, TURNED ON HAZARD LIGHTS, REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION. I REINSERTED KEY, CAR STARTED AND RAN AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 20 MILES, ABOUT 40 MINUTES, WITHOUT INCIDENT. THEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AGAIN-NO WARNING, JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SMALL WRENCH ICON LIT UP, AND DIGITAL DISPLAY MESSAGE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" APPEARED. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT THIS WARNING MESSAGE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FORD DEALER SERVICE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY HAVE TOLD ME A SENSOR ON A BELT WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE BELT SLIPPED OFF ITS PULLEY, AND THAT SENSOR WAS THEREFORE UNABLE TO SENSE THE CRANKSHAFT, AND THEREFORE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF WHY THIS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE, OR WHAT MEASURES COULD BE DONE TO ASSURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS ENGINE SHUTOFF HAD OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE, BUT BOTH TIMES THE ROAD WAS UNCROWDED, AND STRAIGHT, AND THE CAR RAN FINE AFTER STARTING BACK UP, SO I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. BUT THE IDEA THAT I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD, OFF A CLIFF (!) AND DIED, OR HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND THIS SAME THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED, THIS TO ME IS TERRIFYING, AND UNACCEPTABLE. I REALIZE THERE IS INHERENT RISK IN DRIVING A CAR, BUT POTENTIALLY LETHAL MALFUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE AMONG THOSE RISKS.
NHTSA complaint #10224634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,172 milesWashington, DC
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO CRASH BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,172.
NHTSA complaint #10198829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesFairfax, VACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE STATED THAT MOST OF THE VEHICLE'S DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple River, IL
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION OR ROLL OVER. FORD HAS REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY, DUE TO SCRATCHES ON THE UNDERSIDE-CAR FRAME, NEAR BOX. HAVE PLACED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10157497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,300 milesNiceville, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON FL STATE ROAD 85 AT THE OKALOSSA REGIONAL AIRPORT ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 P.M. WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 85 ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE STOP SIGN EXITING THE AIRPORT TO TRAVEL SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 85. MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AND T-BONED A 2003 FORD MINIVAN. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!
NHTSA complaint #10149811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesUnion Pier, MI1 injured
AIR BAGS
BOTH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION OR ROLLING OVER. BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S EARS WERE STILL RINGING FROM THE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10117631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.