IllustrationTHE ENGINE COMPARTMENT GETS SO HOT, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR. THE CAR STILL GETS SO HOT. I WONDER WHY FORD DISCONTINUE THAT MODEL. *TR
2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer Sport Trac years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1025–50K
950–75K
575–100K
12100–150K
7150K+
51 reports with mileage · 15 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
66 reportsFOR 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 TH…
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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
I STARTED SMELLING GAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A GAS CAN I WAS HAULING AROUND. WELL ONE DAY I PULLED MY CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY , AND NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER MY CAR. I GOT DOWN TOO SEE WHAT IT WAS. I SMELLED IT AND IT WAS GAS. I THEN DROPPED THE GAS TANK AND SEEN IT WAS LEAKING AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FUEL…
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I STARTED SMELLING GAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A GAS CAN I WAS HAULING AROUND. WELL ONE DAY I PULLED MY CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY , AND NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER MY CAR. I GOT DOWN TOO SEE WHAT IT WAS. I SMELLED IT AND IT WAS GAS. I THEN DROPPED THE GAS TANK AND SEEN IT WAS LEAKING AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE. I THEN BOUGHT THE FUEL LINE THINKING THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. TOO MAKE ALONG STORY SHORT IT DIDN'T. IT WAS A REAL EASY TO REPLACE THE LINE. BUT NOW I HAVE TOO REPLACE THE TOP OF TANK TOO. MY POINT IS THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A PART THAT SHOULD LEAK GAS ESPECIALLY WHERE IT MAKES A PUDDLE RIGHT UNDER THE GAS TANK. IMAGINE IF SOMEONE THREW A CIGARETTE UNDER MY CAR, BOOM. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS TO BE RECALLED. I'M NOT GOING TO FIX THIS, FORD SHOULD. BAD APPLICATION. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I PLANNING ON TAKING FORD TO COURT. *TR
THE TIRE LOOKS FLAT, I NOTICE THE TECHNICIAN PUT MORE AIR THAN IT SUPPOSED TO HAVE, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
I GOT NEW TIRES, THEY SHOW LOW ON AIR, I MEASURE AND NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE MORE AIR THAN THEY SUPPOSED TO HAVE. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRE BRAND ARE FIRESTONE OWL P235/70R16. *TR
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
TIRE THREAD SEPARATION(S) , SEVERELY VIBRATED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AT ALL SPEED..SEVER TO VERY SEVERE VIBRATION AS SPEED IS GOING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED LIMITS. AT LOW SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HITTING A POT HOLE EVERY TIRE ROTATION. TIRE BRAND: YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 235/65R17 DOT FBLS. INSTALLED IN A 2005 FORD SPORTRAC VIN [XXX] US…
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TIRE THREAD SEPARATION(S) , SEVERELY VIBRATED THE WHOLE VEHICLE AT ALL SPEED..SEVER TO VERY SEVERE VIBRATION AS SPEED IS GOING UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED LIMITS. AT LOW SPEEDS IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HITTING A POT HOLE EVERY TIRE ROTATION. TIRE BRAND: YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER 235/65R17 DOT FBLS. INSTALLED IN A 2005 FORD SPORTRAC VIN [XXX] USED JUST OVER 14000 MILES....ALL TIRE PRESSURES, MAINTENANCE AND RECOMMENDED TIRE ROTATION HAS BEEN SERVICED ON THE SAID VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING RECENTLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. I WASN'T SURE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TRUCK SO I FILLED IT UP AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL DAYS, I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON "F" WHICH I KNOW WASN'T RIGHT, EVENTUALLY THE F…
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THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING RECENTLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL. I WASN'T SURE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TRUCK SO I FILLED IT UP AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER DRIVING FOR SEVERAL DAYS, I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON "F" WHICH I KNOW WASN'T RIGHT, EVENTUALLY THE FUEL GAUGE CAME DOWN SOME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND HAS STAYED ON SINCE. I HAVE ABOUT 67K ON IT NOW. I'VE REALLY ENJOYED THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT'S CHECKUPS. I'M TAKING IT TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IT WILL COST TO FIX. I DON'T LIKE DRIVING AROUND AND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE OR THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I DON'T KNOW IF ITS ON BECAUSE THE GAUGE IS BROKE OR BECAUSE SOMETHING ELSE COULD BE GOING ON WITH THE ENGINE. EITHER WAY, I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO COST ALOT, WHAT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DOESN'T. I'VE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON LINE AND AM SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN MENTIONED ABOUT THIS BY FORD; BUT THEN AGAIN, WHY WOULD FORD WANT TO FIX SOMETHING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY CAN CHARGE THE CUSTOMER AN ARM AND A LEG INSTEAD!!!! *TR
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 …
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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.
THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING. IT READS BELOW EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS, MOUNTAINEERS AND RANGER HAVING A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMPS IN THIS MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RE…
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THE FUEL GAUGE IN MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC STOPPED WORKING. IT READS BELOW EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM IN FORD EXPLORERS, MOUNTAINEERS AND RANGER HAVING A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMPS IN THIS MODEL YEAR. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. NOT KNOWING WHEN OR WHERE A VEHICLE WILL RUN OUT OF GAS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND NOT KNOWING IF THE FUEL PUMP WILL FAIL IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT COULD BE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR IN A DESOLATE AREA. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES, FORD IS ALSO STILL SELLING THESE VEHICLES PRE-OWNED AND NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE SALE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM EXCEPT TO CHARGE PEOPLE FOR THE REPAIR. *KB
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE09020 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Apr 21, 2009 · Closed Aug 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.