2009 FORD EXPLORER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer. This model year has 33 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Uncategorized Issues.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Uncategorized Issues
Engine Problems
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2009 Ford Explorer?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Ford Explorer. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 33 most recent complaints
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY SPEED LIMIT WAS75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL
MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
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,…
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 THA…
THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, INTERMITTENT STAHLS, PEDAL SURING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ A DEFECT IN THE 2009 FORD MODELS. MY TRUCK IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REPAIR AND I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY F…
THE SHIFTER DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN GEAR. IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE PIN IN SHIFTER IS NOT WORKING.
FORD: MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6 EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT/ALARM WITH THE RSC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADS (STREET, FREEWAY, HIGHWAY). ALL THE INSTANCES OCCURRED HAD BEEN PROPERLY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN REPEATED VISITS THAT S…
2009 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
IN MAY 2017 I HAD SERVICE PERFORMED ON MY 2009 FORD SUV (INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND TURN OF ALL FOUR ROTORS) AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. ON MAY 13, 2017, MYSELF, MY WIFE, AND OUR TWO CHILDREN (BOTH MINORS, AGES 2 AND 8) WERE INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE AC…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHER…
CAR OFTEN FILLS WITH A STRONG SULFUR (EGG LIKE) SMELL. VERY NOTICEABLE AFTER LONG TRIPS OR VERY HOT DAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
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 …
FORD: MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6 EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT/ALARM WITH THE RSC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADS (STREET, FREEWAY, HIGHWAY). ALL THE INSTANCES OCCURRED HAD BEEN PROPERLY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN REPEATED VISITS THAT …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HINGES ON THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO DETACH ITSELF COMPLETELY FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE I…
PLEASE KEEP ANONYMOUS AND REFERENCED UNDER J9EL1, MC32SZ, KYH2U AS THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WITH REAR LICENSE PLATE TAG# OBX90432 MAY BE AN ISIS/ISIL MEMBER LEADER AND OR BOTH AND HAS SEXUALLY ASSAYED AND ABUSED ME SINCE 1993. HER CAR HAS NO VIN NUMBER ON…
2009 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE WINDOW GLASS TO DROP. I WAS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, PUSHED THE WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON, WINDOW STARTED TO OPEN, THEN THE HINGE GAVE OUT. WAS ABLE TO CATCH WITH RIGHT HAND, PINNING MY WRIST AGAINST THE GLASS AND REAR HATCH.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A FRACTURED R…
I STARTED THE EXPLORER AND WENT ABOUT 300 FEET AND PULLED OVER TO ALLOW AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE TO PASS. THE EXPLORER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BUT WAS HELD BACK BY THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE EXPLORER RAN FINE UNTIL ANOTHER INCIDENT IN MID OCTOBER. I S…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN I…
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. T…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Ford Explorer.
Recalls for 2009 Ford Explorer
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2009 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Ford Explorer reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Ford Explorer has 33 NHTSA owner complaints, 5 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most reported issue is Uncategorized Issues (5 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Explorer?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (5 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (5 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Ford Explorer?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2009 Ford Explorer has 5 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 33 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Ford Explorer have any recalls?▾
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2009 Ford Explorer. The largest issue: EQUIPMENT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Ford Explorer?▾
The 2009 Ford Explorer has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Uncategorized Issues issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.