2005 Ford Explorer Visibility Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FRACTURE IN THE REAR HATCH ABOVE THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH. THE FAILURE ALLOWED MOISTURE TO ENTER THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRACTURE WOULD CAUSE THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES OR WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

10968706

Incident

Feb 27, 2017

Mileage

138,000 mi

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. IT APPEARS THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HINGE HAD ROTATED OUT OF POSITION AND FRACTURED, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BREAK. THE HYDRAULIC ARMS EXTENDED SINCE THE WINDOW WAS NO LONGER THERE TO HOLD THEM BACK, WHICH CAUSED THE LIFT GATE FRAME TO BEND, PLASTIC TO CRACK, AND ELECTRICAL WIRES TO BE EXPOSED.

NHTSA ID

10930092

Incident

Dec 5, 2016

Mileage

133,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ACROSS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE HATCH BACK DOOR. THE GLASS OF THE HATCH BACK DOOR ALSO SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,210.

NHTSA ID

10597863

Incident

Jun 12, 2014

Mileage

92,210 mi

THE PART THAT HOLDS THE VISORS JUST FELL APART WITH THE WIRES HANGING AND THE VISOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLOCKED MY VIEW AND THE VISOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL BLOCKING MY SIDE MIRROR SO THE BOTH CAUSED A PROBLEM FOR ME TO SEE. WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP PHILLPOT AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALOT, SO THE GUY CUT THE WIRE NOW I HAVE TO GO BACK TO HAVE THEM DO THE SAME FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSE I CAN'T SEE MY OUTSIDE MIRROR ON THAT SIDE. THAT IS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM CAUSE I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10520379

Incident

Jun 14, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGERS' POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,691. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511915

Incident

May 8, 2012

Mileage

93,691 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE CRACK UNDER THE REAR EXTERIOR LIFTGATE WINDOW PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WINDOW PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE WINDOW GLASS FROM DISENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. KMJ. RETURNED BY USPS ON 4/2/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 4/9/2013 FAILED. *KB

NHTSA ID

10500808

Incident

Feb 14, 2013

Mileage

98,000 mi

CRACK AT BACK GLASS RUNNING DOWN THE CAR LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM. GLASS COULD FALL OUT. *JS

NHTSA ID

10453529

Incident

Jun 6, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

HEAT COMPONENT: TRIED TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS ON MY VEHICLE, WHEN I ADJUSTED THE CONTROLS TO THE HEAT I BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND NO HEAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENT. WINTER IS IN AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME MAKE & MODEL HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THERE VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT IT IS A FAILED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAUSES A HIGH SAFETY RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10440996

Incident

Sep 7, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND THE BLENDING CHAMBER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS UPDATED 7/10/13 *CN

NHTSA ID

10436120

Incident

Oct 15, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE HATCH PANEL FRACTURED RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA VOICEMAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10434069

Incident

Oct 28, 2011

Mileage

90,000 mi

VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LIKE 1 FOOT LONG AND 3/16 WIDE CLOSE TO THE FORD LOGO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10429095

Incident

Oct 2, 2011

Mileage

75,000 mi

SUN VISORS BROKE OFF. NOT BEING ABLE TO BLOCK SUN MAKING DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS DURING SUNNY DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10362325

Incident

Oct 1, 2008

Mileage

32,580 mi

PASSENGER VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) DRIVER SIDE VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) TWO MONTHS EARLIER AND REPORTED SEPARATELY. ENTIRE VISOR ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE PURCHASED BECAUSE THIS SMALL PART WAS NOT SOLD OR SUPPLIED SEPARATELY. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED PREMIUM WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10359965

Incident

Oct 9, 2010

Mileage

46,024 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED (CRACKED) CAUSING VISOR TO DROP AND HANG BY ELECTRICAL WIRE SUPPLYING POWER TO LIGHTED MIRROR. ENTIRE VISOR ASSEMBLY WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE INDIVIDUAL PART (SMALL PLASTIC MOUNTING BRACKET) WAS NOT SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. VISOR RARELY IF EVER USED. REPLACEMENT WAS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE AND NOT COVERED UNDER PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10359963

Incident

Jul 26, 2010

Mileage

44,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SUN VISOR FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VISOR WAS EXHIBITING DISINTEGRATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

NHTSA ID

10343227

Incident

Jul 8, 2010

Mileage

31,000 mi

2005 FORD EXPLORER----REAR WINDOW JUST EXPLODED,WHEN I WENT TO SHUT IT----43,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10332164

Incident

May 24, 2010

Mileage

43,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS EXHIBITED A FILM AND DIRT BUILD UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,100.

NHTSA ID

10323012

Incident

Aug 15, 2008

Mileage

36,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. ON JANUARY 12, 2010 HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH GLASS WAS SPLIT IN HALF. HE FILED A REPORT WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

NHTSA ID

10300401

Incident

Jan 12, 2010

Mileage

66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A LOUD CLANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE NEXT DAY THE VENTS WOULD ONLY RELEASE COLD AIR FROM THE VENTS. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE COULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDOWS. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEATER BOX FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53168. UPDATED12/10/09. *LJ THE REPAIR COST WAS $438.00. THE PROBLEM WAS THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR, WHICH WAS INDIDE THE HEATER BOX. UPDATED 12/10/09

NHTSA ID

10291150

Incident

Nov 4, 2009

Mileage

53,168 mi

THE SUN VISOR SUPPORT OF THE FORD EXPLORER 2005 IS DEFECTIVE AND BREAKS EASILY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES TO ME AND AS PER RESEARCH IN THE WEB, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN IN THIS MODEL. ONE TIME IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, AND THE SUN VISOR WAS HANGING AND BLOCKING THE VIEW. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, BUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM, THAT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS, ALL FOR A SMALL DEFECTIVE PLASTIC PIECE. THE HINGE BASE IS MADE OF POOR RESISTANCE PLASTIC AND HAS A TERRIBLE DESIGN, THIS IS INCREDIBLE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE VISOR ARM IS METALLIC AND IT TRANSFERS A CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO THIS PLASTIC BASE EACH TIME YOU FOLD OR USE THE SUN VISOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10280284

Incident

Sep 10, 2006

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE REAR WINDSHIELD IMPLODED ,AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS WERE FOUND . IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10258010

Incident

Dec 16, 2008

Mileage

59,000 mi

AFTER HAVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 2 YEARS, THE HEATER/ DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. IT SEEMS TO BE THE SWITCH THAT SELECTS HEAT AND COLD IS BROKEN AND ONLY MAKES A CLICKING SOUND, AND WILL NOT PULL IN HEAT TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS AND WARM UP THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS REPAIR COSTS QUITE A BIT OF MONEY. THIS IS ALSO A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE NEED TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHERS COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10257816

Incident

Sep 26, 2007

Mileage

85,000 mi

BOTH SUN VISORS IN MY 2005 EXPLORER BROKE WITHIN A DAY OF EACH OTHER. THE SMALL PLASTIC HOLDER ON EACH OF THEM SHATTER INTO MICROSCOPIC PIECES WITH NOTHING ON THE VISORS. NO CD HOLDERS OR SUNGLASSES EITHER. THEY JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEY WERE BOTH FOLDED UP AND NOT BEING USED. IT WAS VERY STRANGE. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND I FELT LIKE IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT DANGLED BY A WIRE THAT COULD NOT BE CUT DUE TO WHAT IT WAS CONNECTED TO. I TRIED ELECTRICAL TAPE AND ANYTHING I COULD THINK OF BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. I COULD NOT GET AN APPT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH THIS OBSTRUCTION FOR 2 DAYS. NOT ONLY WAS IT ANNOYING BUT IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. IT COST ME $205.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AND I FEEL LIKE THIS COULD BE A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN MORE COMPLAINTS ONLINE BY SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231385

Incident

Jun 10, 2008

Mileage

43,000 mi

ELECTRIC WINDOWS FOR BACK SEAT PASSENGERS WERE INOPERABLE. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2006 WITH 21,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE BACK WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST 2007. DRIVER SIDE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW QUIT WORKING IN SEPTEMBER 2007, BUT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO GET FIXED YET. THE WINDOWS HAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES DID NOT WORK SOMETIMES WHEN I TRIED TO LOWER THEM . I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN UNTIL THE WINDOW HADN'T WORK IN SEVERAL DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10203574

Incident

Aug 15, 2006

THE CAR RPMS INCREASED WHILE STEPPING ON BRAKE, CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS AND ONE TIME IT SURGED BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE AND HIT A POLE, EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. CAR HAS DIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, DESPITE HAVING THE MASTER SWITCH REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10179147

Incident

Jan 18, 2007