2005 Ford Explorer Review
Pros & Cons
- 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.
- Dull cabin design with some low-grade materials, low resale value, confusing controls on high-line models, lousy fuel economy.
Other years
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2005 Ford Explorer appraisal values can range from $885 - $2,519.
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Edmunds' Expert Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Ford Explorer.
Most helpful consumer reviews
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.
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.
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
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.