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2005 Ford Explorer Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

NHTSA component category: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · data through 07/12/2026

38Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
7.6%Of all 497 complaints
#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How fuel system, gasoline ranks on this vehicle

STRUCTURE:BODY107 · 21.5%
POWER TRAIN49 · 9.9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE38 · 7.6%

Share of the 497 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2005 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. 50500 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. THE 'SERVICE…”NHTSA complaint 10282718 — filed 09/02/2009
“2005 FORD EXPLORER FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION: STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BUT IS NOW CONSTANT. FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY UNTIL TANK…”NHTSA complaint 10278229 — filed 07/24/2009
“I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT WHEN YOU PUT GAS IN IT AT A GAS PUMP IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND SPITTING FUEL BACK…”NHTSA complaint 10268788 — filed 05/14/2009

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints by year filed

1200512006720089200932010112011320122201412020

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Explorer have fuel system, gasoline problems?

Fuel System, Gasoline is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2005 Ford Explorer: 38 of 497 complaints on file (7.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2005 Ford Explorer have in total?

497 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 22 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 14 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's fuel system, gasoline category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.