The Lemon Index2005 Ford Expedition.
The 2005 Ford Expedition is better than average by owner complaints: 52 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 58, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 14 mpg combined. The best Ford Expedition year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 315 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Expedition year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 51K to 103K miles on the car (288 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 52K–98K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 53K–90K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 83K–144K miles
Recalls 5
- lights 2009
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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.
Show all 5 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Axle seal leaks
- Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning…
- Lack of power on acceleration - may also be described as transmission slipping, lack of upshift
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSteel wheel fracture2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
"check electronic throttle" message appeared and accelerator pedal became inoperative. This is the second time this has occurred. Shifted vehicle into neutral, restarted engine while rolling along and error was corrected.
2005 Ford Expedition owner · NHTSA complaint 10252614
More owner reports
Dt: the contact states when he pivots the foot to the left to press the brake pedal the foot will also press the gas pedal. He feels the gas and brake pedals are to close together.
NHTSA complaint 10143010
Brake pedal and gas pedals too close. Many times gas pedal has been depressed while trying to only depress the brake pedal.
NHTSA complaint 10188098
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford Expedition reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.7× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 58; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Expedition year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Expedition problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (25%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Expedition have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Expedition get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Expedition problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 51,400 and 103,000 miles. The middle report was at 74,900 miles, from 288 complaints.
Does the 2005 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Ford Expedition cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford Expedition have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford Expedition year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works