2009 Ford EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10264041 · 2009-04-03 (April 3, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE HEAD REST PUSHES THE DRIVER'S HEAD TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO ITS PERPENDICULAR DESIGN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT SOMEONE WITH A SHORT STATURE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIS/HER HEAD DOWN. IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER COULD BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60 AND CURRENT MILEAGE …
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277353 · 2009-07-19 (July 19, 2009)
LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON DASH ON RIGHT SIDE IF YOU TAP IT WOULD COME ON NOW ONLY ONE SIDE OF DASH LIGHTS UP AIR CONDITIONER BLOW OUT FROST ON COMPRESSOR RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK DOOR LOCK WILL NOT COME UP WHEN YOU PRESS LOCKS DEALER NEEDS TO FIX THIS NOT THE CUST IT MAKES YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A FORD ANY MORE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 169,015 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280621 · 2009-08-17 (August 17, 2009)
2009 FORD EXPLORER LURCHES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286307 · 2009-10-05 (October 5, 2009)
I HAVE A 2008 FORD EXPLORER AND THE REAR DEFROSTER WIRE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE REAR GLASS DOOR FELL OFF. IT IS ONLY HELD ON THE WINDOW BY A SMALL WELD THE SIZE OF AN ERASER HEAD. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP WEISLEDER FORD IN POINT PLEASANT NJ, SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY SAID WE PULLED IT OFF AND ITS NOT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX! I DIDN"T BREAK IT! I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286307 at NHTSA ↗
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 10413224 · 2011-07-17 (July 17, 2011)
I PUT OUR BRITAX DIPLOMAT CAR SEAT IN MY WIFE'S FORD EXPLORER. I ATTACHED THE SEAT BELT AND THE EXTRA LONG STRAP THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE CAR SEAT THAT GETS HOOKED TO A HOOK ON THE SEAT. THE EXCESS STRAP WAS HANGING OUT THE DOOR AND WE DID NOT REALIZE IT WHEN WE DROVE AWAY WITH OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE SEAT. THE STRAP WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND AND GOT CAUGHT UNDER THE TIRE AND VIOLENTLY PULLED THE CAR SEAT TOWARDS THE DOOR, THEN THE STRAP BROKE. WE PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE CAR SEAT WAS BASICALLY LAYING SIDEWAYS ON THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10413224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416649 · 2011-08-02 (August 2, 2011)
WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 25K MILES HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO THE INSIDE WEARING BALD ON MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER. JUNE 2011, 23 MONTHS OLD AND WITH 42K MILES RIGHT REAR TIRE WEARING DIFFERENTLY THAN THE OTHERS, CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT. ALL 5 WHEEL STUDS HAD GRADUALLY BROKE OFF OVER A FEW MONTHS TIME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATES THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MAINTAINED IS THE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR THAT IS DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND MISC DRIVING,…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416733 · 2011-08-02 (August 2, 2011)
THE FRONT PASSENGER HEAD RESTRAINTS PUSH THE HEAD FORWARD, CREATING STRESS ON THE NECK/BACK AND COULD CAUSE INJURY. SEATING IS UNCOMFORTABLE UNLESS THE SEAT IS RECLINED. WHICH POSES ANOTHER RISK AND SIGHT PROBLEM. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10416733 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.