RoadVitals

2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Nov 30, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 66 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureEngine
Filed Nov 30, 2020

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 ID
11377168
Incident
Nov 23, 2020
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 21, 2018

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 ID
11162956
Incident
Dec 19, 2018
Mileage
135,215 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 30, 2016

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 ID
10920114
Incident
Oct 25, 2016
Mileage
125,456 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 12, 2016

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 ID
10884355
Incident
Oct 14, 2005
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 16, 2014

REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. DIFFICULTY IN REMOVING ANY TYPE OF PASSENGER IN AN EMERGENCY. NOTHING IS LISTED IN OPERATIONS MANUAL. CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS PRESSED AT TIME SO CHILD COULD NOT OPEN DOOR. SINCE THEN TRIED TO UNLOCK CHILD SAFETY FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS. INVOLVES CHILD SAFETY LOCK WHICH IS BROKEN INSIDE OF DOOR. TRIED TO GET FIXED RECENTLY, BUT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT DAMAGING DOOR. STILL CANNOT OPEN. HAVE HEARD OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. HAVE NOT SEEN OR HEARD ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE BUT IT SHOULD BE A FORD ISSUE NOT THE CONSUMER. THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE DRIVING IN THAT SEAT SHOULD AN EMERGENCY OCCUR AND THEY NEED TO GET OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622661
Incident
Apr 2, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 13, 2014

DRIVER SIDE FRONT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD BEEN BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ON THE LAST PULL TO GET IN, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559599
Incident
Jan 12, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 15, 2013

FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW THE PAINT PEALING OFF THE BODY AFTER WASHING IT, FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES, AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING FIGHT WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT THEY WILL ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT WAS A BAD PAINT JOB. AND THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THERE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535540
Incident
Aug 15, 2013
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 5, 2013

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS CRACK FOR NO REASON, JUST BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90S. WE HAVE OTHER CARS AND ALL ARE FINE. I BELIEVE IS THE METAL WHERE THE REAR MIRROR IS MOUNTED. BASED ON MY FORENSIC CLASS, CARS HAVE A LEAST 3 COATS OF PAINT, PRIMER, THE COLOR AND THE CLEAR COAT, THIS CAR ONLY HAS TWO COATS OF PAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10515145
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE EXTERIOR ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ID
10452760
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 31, 2011

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING AND PEELING FROM THE ROOF RUNNERS. I NOTICED THIS JUST RECENTLY WHEN I WASHED THE TRUCK AND WAS GETTING READY TO WAX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10422772
Incident
Aug 31, 2011
Mileage
31,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2010

MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC HAS PAINT ISSUES. THE PAINT ON THE HOOD HAS BUBBLED AND IS NOW FLAKING OFF. THE RUNNING BOARDS HAVE EXTENSIVE RUST SPOTS. I AM NOW WORRIED WHAT ELSE MIGHT GO WRONG. =-( *TR

NHTSA ID
10352034
Incident
Aug 15, 2010
Mileage
51,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .