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2009 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer are lower than the model-year median of 609.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

26 reports with mileage · 7 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 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 reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

4 reports
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184,494 miles · May 14, 2020
EnginePower TrainService BrakesCrash

SUV SEEMS TO BE IDLED DURING START UP OR EVEN WHEN DRIVING. SOUNDS AIRY LIKE ITS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO I HAVE HAD BREAK PADS REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE GONE OUT MORE THAN NORMAL. EACH TIME GOING OUT BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TODAY, CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND CAR SPENT OUT OF CO…

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SUV SEEMS TO BE IDLED DURING START UP OR EVEN WHEN DRIVING. SOUNDS AIRY LIKE ITS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO I HAVE HAD BREAK PADS REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE GONE OUT MORE THAN NORMAL. EACH TIME GOING OUT BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TODAY, CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND CAR SPENT OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND 3 TIMES BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALMART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324598

62,684 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD (5041 FORD PARKWAY, BESSEMER, ALABAMA 35022, (205)491-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD (5041 FORD PARKWAY, BESSEMER, ALABAMA 35022, (205)491-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,684. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WOULD STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #11142866

31,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER BRAKE OR STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE NORMALLY, BUT THE WARNING INDI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER BRAKE OR STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE NORMALLY, BUT THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. ...UPDATED 02/22/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10939256

85,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Engine

WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ONLINE, IT APPEARED TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SNAPPING OFF CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. THE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $1,000, AND THIS SAME ISSU…

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WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ONLINE, IT APPEARED TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SNAPPING OFF CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. THE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $1,000, AND THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE FORUMS QUITE FREQUENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554409

Official recalls

0

No 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems