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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.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 609

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
630
2006208
2007148
200833
2009115
20101,197
2011827
2012
Compare all Explorer years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Engine
4Power Train
3Seats
3
All reported categories
Wheels
3Air Bags
2Electrical System
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes
2Structure
2Tires
2Visibility
2Child Seat
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Steering
1Suspension
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Power Train complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
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…

Read full complaint

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

78,000 miles · Jun 2, 2012
Power Train

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR LURCHES AND LIGHTS COME ON SIGNALING POWERTRAIN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460371

12,000 miles · Aug 17, 2009
Power Train

2009 FORD EXPLORER LURCHES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280621

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

Ford Explorer electrical problems →Ford Explorer transmission problems →