2005 Ford Explorer Review
2005 Ford Explorer Review





+102
Used Explorer for sale
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2005 Ford Explorer appraisal values can range from $963 - $2,583.
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Excellent ride and handling characteristics for a truck-based SUV, strong optional V8, comfortable cabin with user-friendly layout and seating for up to seven, good crash test scores.
Cons
- Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on high-line models, lousy fuel economy.
What’s new
The 2005 Ford Explorer receives minor interior and exterior trim changes, and the AdvanceTrac stability control system is upgraded with roll stability control for better protection against rollover accidents.
Edmunds says
A functional interior, ample passenger space, strong powertrains and a well-controlled ride all contribute to the 2005 Ford Explorer's well-deserved reputation as a practical midsize SUV with few faults.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Ford Explorer.
Most helpful consumer reviews
3 out of 5 stars
Very good car
Mohamed Morsy,06/26/2016
XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
It is very stable on the road and it feels very safe to drive. However, they are lot of problems comes with that model such as the rear lift gate got stuck, transmission problem, the center lock motors problem, the paint peel from the hood and AC stopped working around 110K miles. It cost a fortune to repair these problems. Besides the battery cable got contaminated and almost burnt and … requires replacement. All the aforementioned problems are general problems for this model's owners. I completely advise not to buy a used one unless you are rich enough to afford the repairs.
4 out of 5 stars
2005 xlt with over 190,000 miles
vegasq1,06/11/2014
Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
My explorer is great. It now has 190k miles and no issues. I keep it meticulously maintained with scheduled maintenance and oil changes. I hope it keeps it up for my 12 yr old in 4 years.
5 out of 5 stars
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT
jeff279,03/17/2014
XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A)
This is one of the best suv's we have ever owned!
We have owned it for 4 yrs and no problems at all Only thing we have done is a battery and alt.
Starts no matter how cold.
Great on snow
Alot of room for a xlt.
Great value
Love the all wheel drive
2.88 out of 5 stars
Ok except for the transmission
whizkidcat,09/03/2011
XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
We bought our Explorer in 2005 new.
It ran great for 36,000 miles.
It now has 68,000 miles.
The best gas mileage we have gotten is 18 hwy/11 city with a constant average of 14.6.
NOT very desirable.
No repairs, just regular maintenance for 3 years.
Shortly after 36,000 miles we had problems with the reverse: going into reverse and going from reverse into drive.
It would take about 3 to 5 … seconds for the gears to catch and move the car.
After a new transmission everything else started to go wrong.
Interesting that until we took it to the dealer we had no other problems! The blinkers work intermittently, the rear windows work sometimes or NOT and the leather is cracking sides/edges.
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
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More about the 2005 Ford Explorer
Used 2005 Ford Explorer Overview
The Used 2005 Ford Explorer is offered in the following submodels: Explorer SUV. Available styles include XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), XLT Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLT Sport 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLT Sport Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), XLT Sport 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLS Sport 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), XLT Sport Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), XLS Sport Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), Eddie Bauer 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), Eddie Bauer Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), Eddie Bauer Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), Limited Rwd 4dr SUV (4.6L 8cyl 5A), Limited 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), and Limited Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A). Pre-owned Ford Explorer models are available with a 4.0 L-liter gas engine or a 4.6 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 239 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2005 Ford Explorer comes with four wheel drive, and rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed automatic. The Used 2005 Ford Explorer comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2005 Ford Explorer?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2005 Ford Explorers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2005 Ford Explorer for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2005 Ford Explorer.
Can't find a used 2005 Ford Explorers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 2005 Ford Explorer?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Ford lease specials
Check out Ford Explorer lease specials
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