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2005 Ford Explorer XLS

The 2005 Ford Explorer XLS is a 210-hp 4.0-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $27,810 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.

It makes 210 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 254 lb-ft of torque at 3700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).

The Explorer measures 189.5 inches long on a 113.7-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,810 ($46,279 *)
Engine
Engine Type4.0L SOHC V6
Displacement4 L
Horsepower210 hp @ 5,100 rpm
Torque254 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Injection TypeMultiport Fuel Injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined16 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Tank Capacity22.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionShort/long-arm independent front suspension
Rear SuspensionIndependent rear suspension
Dimensions & Weight
Length189.5 in
Width72.1 in
Height71.4 in
Wheelbase113.7 in
Ground Clearance8.5 in
Approach Angle31°
Departure Angle23.6°
Cargo Volume13.8 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear38.9 in
Legroom Front42.4 in
Legroom Rear37.2 in
Shoulder Room Front59.1 in
Shoulder Room Rear58.9 in
Hip Room Front55 in
Hip Room Rear54.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2005 Ford Explorer 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford EXPLORER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 11, 2007 · VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.

Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.

NHTSA campaign 07E104000

May 24, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

NHTSA campaign 06E049000

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

568 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2005 Ford EXPLORER

Owner Complaints

568 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford EXPLORER (27 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 17 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure164
Power Train102
Fuel System55
Vehicle Speed Control48
Electrical System47
Gasoline45
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 17, 2026 · 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…”
Jun 2, 2025 · Electrical System, 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…”
Feb 21, 2024 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle independently jerked forward. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated. The…”
Oct 8, 2023 · Air Bags Crash 2 injuries
“I got into an accident where I hit a semi head on and at 40 mph and the airbags never deployed. I got hurt and may seek a lawyer.”
Jan 12, 2023 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound and shaking. The check engine warning light…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2005 FORD EXPLORER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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