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U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

33 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

77,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 33 complaints (15.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior412.1%
Transmission and shifting39.1%
Steering behavior39.1%
Engine operation26.1%
Electrical and battery issues13.0%
Fuel system concerns13.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Unknown Or Other
5
Vehicle Speed Control
5
Engine
4
Wheels
3
Air Bags
2
Electrical System
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2
Power Train
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Unknown Or Other5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Engine4
Wheels3
Air Bags2
Electrical System2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Power Train2

Unknown Or Other: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine: 4; Wheels: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Power Train: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9996
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2009
4
2010
1
2011
3
2012
4
2013
2
2014
2
2015
1
2016
4
2017
3
2018
6
2020
1
2021
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20094
20101
20113
20124
20132
20142
20151
20164
20173
20186
20201
20212

2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 6; 2020: 1; 2021: 2

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10357876 · 2010-09-27 (September 27, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION AND THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO INSTALL A VDR IN THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE A …

Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10357876 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10659418 · 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

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 STARTED THE EXPLORER AND WENT ABOUT 500 FEET TO A STOP SIGN AND AS I SLOWED DOWN THE EXPLORER WANTED TO KEEP GOING. AS I WAS IN A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS AROUND (ALSO BEING THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED) I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AS THE ENGINE SURGED.…

Owner-reported narrative. 61,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659418 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10451790 · 2012-03-15 (March 15, 2012)

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: DELAYED SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR, AND INCIDENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF PARK AND INTO GEAR, PROBLEMS ALSO IN THE TRANSMISSION'S DELAY IN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND OUT OF REVERSE. LOUD THUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. STRUGGLING TO REACH 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH A WHINNING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 88,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451790 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10632457 · 2014-09-11 (September 11, 2014)

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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END SEPARATING FORM THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE TIE ROD DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10632457 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10939256 · 2017-01-03 (January 3, 2017)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939256 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11142866 · 2018-10-26 (October 26, 2018)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 62,684 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142866 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11389683 · 2021-01-24 (January 24, 2021)

MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11389683 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10451787 · 2012-03-15 (March 15, 2012)

THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AS A RESULT OF CORRODED EXPOSED WIRES UNDER THE CAR. THE WIRES HAD NO PROTECTIVE COVERING AND WERE CORRODED AND PARTIALLY MELTED. THE WIRES ARE UNDER THE REAR TIRE NEAR THE FUEL PUMP AND ARE NOT PROTECTED AGAINST DIRT, GRIME, SALT. THEY CAUSED 2 PUMPS TO FAIL AND MANY FUSES TO BE BLOWN BEFORE THEY WERE FOUND. THE CAR JUST DIES WHILE DRIVING.THE MECHANIC SPENT HOURS GOING OVER EVERYTHING TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PUMP FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 84,931 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451787 at NHTSA ↗