2009 Ford EXPEDITION: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Visibility | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Visibility: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 8 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10254714 · 2009-01-12 (January 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPEDITION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 22, 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEAD RESTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OFFERED NO SUPPORT BETWEEN THE BACK AND SHOULDERS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTS WERE MANUFACTURED IN THAT MANNER AS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR REPAIRING THE HEAD RESTS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. UPDATED 02/10/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10254714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269340 · 2009-05-19 (May 19, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE 2005 FORD EXPEDITION LIMITED VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AND CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME ON , BRAKES AND POWER STEERING GOT OUT, HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH. I HAVE HEARD OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293765 · 2009-11-28 (November 28, 2009)
2009 FORD EXPEDITION FOG LIGHTS - BOTH FOG LIGHT LENS CRACK AFTER DRIVING ON A PAVED HIGHWAY IN SUB ZERO FREEZING WEATHER. BOTH HAVE IDENTICAL FAILURE MODE AND FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MATERIALS, DESIGN, AND ENGINEERING IS SUB-STANDARD AND DOES NOT MEET DOT SPECIFICATIONS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298934 · 2010-01-10 (January 10, 2010)
ON JANUARY 9, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00PM, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET NEAR OUR HOME, THE THIRD ROW REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW JUST EXPLODED AND CRUMBLED ON OUR 2009 FORD EXPEDITION. NOTHING IMPACTED THE WINDOW FROM INSIDE OR OUT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS NEW VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS. WE CAN ONLY ASCERTAIN THAT THE GLASS HAD A DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY (A SATURDAY) AND WE WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FIRST THING TOMORROW (MONDAY) MORNING, BUT ANTICIPATE THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373049 · 2010-12-28 (December 28, 2010)
2009 FORD EXPEDITION. CONSUMER REPORTS PROBLEM WITH DASH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS, HE WAS UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS, OIL, ENGINE TEMPERATURE AND MESSAGE CENTER. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10373049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10433949 · 2011-11-02 (November 2, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT TO SLIDE BACKWARD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS OF BEING SEATED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR, SEAT TRACK AND WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS USING AN UPDATED WIRING SYSTEM IF HE OPTED FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10437381 · 2011-11-27 (November 27, 2011)
2009 FORD EXPEDITION- FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEADREST ARE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE AND MISALIGNED. WOULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT AND CURRENTLY CAUSE NECK STRAIN ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10437381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447727 · 2012-02-13 (February 13, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPEDITION XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS A POLICE VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEEDS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IT WOULD ACT AS IT WAS LOCKED. IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT HE WOULD HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WAS ACTIVE AND HAD TO BE SHUT OFF IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO RELEASE EASILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447727 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V232000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2009-06-24 (June 24, 2009)
FORD IS RECALLING 1,357 MY 2009 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOPLAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.
Consequence: DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOPLAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 OR WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗