VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Expedition problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 452 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Expedition year — the 2005 model ranks #10 of 36 Expedition years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 21 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (104), electrical system (82), and speed control (66), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

452

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

21

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Expedition years?

Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted1,137 complaints1991: 1 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1,065 complaints1998: 1,022 complaints1999: 1,137 complaints2000: 1,134 complaints2001: 739 complaints2002: 415 complaints2003: 800 complaints2004: 381 complaints2005: 452 complaints2006: 395 complaints2007: 267 complaints2008: 179 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 74 complaints2011: 92 complaints2012: 163 complaints2013: 114 complaints2014: 96 complaints2015: 229 complaints2016: 274 complaints2017: 474 complaints2018: 452 complaints2019: 581 complaints2020: 473 complaints2021: 270 complaints2022: 156 complaints2023: 87 complaints2024: 106 complaints2025: 47 complaints2026: 13 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Expedition years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Expedition problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine10423%
Electrical System8218%
Speed Control6615%
Fuel System6615%
Transmission4410%
Brakes164%
Body & Structure153%
Tires & Wheels123%
Visibility & Wipers112%
Airbags102%
Steering102%
Other51%
Lighting41%
Suspension20%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats20%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2005 Ford Expedition have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH 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.

Remedy

ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS MECHANIC BELIEVED THAT A FAILED CATALYTIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 6, 2013 · fire

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 50,000 MILES. SHE STATED THAT THE RADIO QUIT WORKING AND THEN THE VEHICLE QUIT RUNNING. AT THAT POINT THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH. AT THIS TIME SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH OUR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 8, 2008 · fire

“ON 1/23 MY WIFE (5 MONTHS PREGNANT) WAS DRIVING ALONE WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON THROUGH THE CA DESERT ON HER WAY TO PHOENIX, AZ. IN OUR 2005 FORD EXPEDITION WITH ONLY 35K MILES ON IT. ABOUT 20 MILES FROM BLYTHE, CA THREE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. LUCKILY SHE FOUND A FORD DEALERSHIP IN BLYTHE THAT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 23, 2009 · fire

“RED LIGHT UP AHEAD. DRIVER SLOWING DOWN GIVING PLENTY OF SPACE. ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND VEHICLE STARTED SPEEDING UP. DRIVER PUSHED BRAKE AS HARD AS SHE COULD. VEHICLE WAS ALMOST STOPPED BEFORE ACCELERATION BUT ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 10 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. 2005 FORD EXPEDITION STRUCK REAR OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 25, 2013 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IT JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL HITTING A TREE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH, THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 12, 2006 · crash

2005 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Expedition reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 452 complaints put the 2005 model at #10 of 36 Expedition years. It is one of the Expedition years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Expedition problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (104 complaints), electrical system (82 complaints), speed control (66 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford Expedition under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expedition years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2001, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004, 2021. The cleanest record among Expedition years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.