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Vehicle safety record

2009 Ford Explorer Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2009 Ford Explorer with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (6) and the acceleration & cruise control (5). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 5 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 2010 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2008 has 0 and the 2010 has 115.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Explorer year, for its age

#158 most complained-about 2009 vehicle

Complaints
33
Recalls
1
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Deaths
0

Most common 2009 Ford Explorer problems

Share of all 33 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2009 Ford Explorer recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Equipment

10E043000294 vehicles affected

The problem
Marathon is recalling certain seat covers, brand superhides with part numbers 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, and 630, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.
The risk
An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
The fix
Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on september 14, 2010. Owners may contact marathon at 1-800-735-2769.

What owners say

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33 complaints about the 2009 Ford Explorer

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Other & unknown

Transmission went out while driving on expressway speed limit was75 mph on cruise control

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11412923
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsFuel system

My car has airbag light on and I have constant problems with the fuel system, and a few electrical problems.

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat belts · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11389683
Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & coolingCrash

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

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11324598
Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11142866
Acceleration & cruise control

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 for the expenses of repairing this defect.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11129927
Other & unknown

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11112179
Driver assistance

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 should be documented on their books. In all instances the alarm is *** not *** registered in the non-volatile memory (nvm) portion of the on board computer code is b1432 control module failure

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 11091588
Wheels & tiresCrash

2009 Ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to wheel separation which resulted in an automobile accident. *Ld *js

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 11061728
Wheels & tiresCrash1 injury

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 accident due to a wheel separation of my serviced ford suv. My ford suv was towed back to my local ford dealership for repairs. I was told damage to my ford suv included: 1) a failed wheel bearing and 2) all five lug nuts on the driver...

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side had sheered off. I was told all previous work performed on my ford suv followed procedures established by ford motor company. I requested an investigation (by my local ford dealership) into the cause of mechanical failures resulting in the vehicle accident. As of may 30, 2017, no investigative findings were reported to me; and I again requested an investigation into the cause of mechanical failures in june 2017, and july 2017. As of august 2017, no investigative report nor findings were provided to me. I contacted ford motor company and requested an investigation into the cause of mechanical failures of my ford suv including a vehicle accident reconstruction because ford motor company publicly references corporate policies and directives related to product quality, safety and environmental matters applying to its global operations. As of november 2017, no reconstruction report nor investigative report nor findings were provided to me by either ford motor company or my local ford dealership. I provided notice to ford motor company and my local ford dealership I would contact the nhtsa requesting an investigation into this event(s) asserting my consumer protected rights to information, honest services, safety, choice, and equal protection had been violated. I request my safety complaint be received and reviewed for further investigative action.

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 11072568
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

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 where it was diagnosed that multiple parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vin and failure mileage were not available.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11047822
Other & unknown

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10954992
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10939256
Electrical systemDriver assistanceBrakes

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 should be documented on their books. In all instances the alarm is *** not *** registered in the non-volatile memory (nvm) portion of the on board computer (as evidenced by dealer records to me). This should be investigated by ford and...

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this agency. Date below is the latest instance of this event. It had been observed, recorded and discussed with ford in at least 5 other times. On all instances but one, the alarm (visual and sound chime) repeats for at least 2 minutes within an interval of 5 minutes and for as long as the car is driven. This is very annoying and prone to distraction of the driver. There is no known override button to disarm the alarm/annunciation. At one instance I had my own obd2 device connected to the obd2 port to capture these events when it happened. This third party divide did not register a fault code. I find this (but mainly the official dealer technical experts lack of recorded fault code) highly disturbing giving the implication that a failure of the roll-stability-control (rsc) can impart to the vehicle and its occupants. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakesNHTSA 10928391
Visibility & wipers

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 issue. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10920509
SuspensionElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

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 it because it has been sawed off. I checked myself. She works at diamond shoals restaurant in buxton, nc 27920 and she breaks into my home at night when I'm sleeping. She is associated with devil worshiping, drinking blood, and she's a...

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well known iv drug user in dare county and has been since 1977. She violates my privacy and civil rights every day and constantly harasses me and my family. She drives a greenish blue ford explorer that's probably been wrecked numerous times and put back together and taken apart to sell its parts for drug money several times. I have written complaints to the dept of education, the dept of justice, the dept of health and human services, the dept of homeland security and the dept of housing and urban development and sherri thomas breaks boundaries with her vehicle in the road every day under the privacy act of 1974 5u.S.C. 552A, the freedom of information act 5u.S.C. 552, And 34 c.F.R 5b.9(B)

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10910631
Body, doors & structure1 injury

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. I see a similar safety recall 04s20 was issued for 2002 - 2005 vehicles for the same issue, same hinge being used on my 2009.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10883529
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash2 injuries

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 rib, bruised lung, and a broken tooth. In addition, the contact sustained an injury to the forehead. Medical attention was received. A police and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 10702544
Acceleration & cruise control

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...

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the brake as the engine surged. This time I hit the cruise control off button on the steering wheel and the surge stopped. Neither time was the cruise control on. Also each time the explorer had just been started. No lights indicating a failure on the dash. No chance I hit the cruise button. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10659418
Steering

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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 10632457
Engine & cooling

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. The repairs will be over $1,000, and this same issue has been reported in online forums quite frequently. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10554409
Seats & seat belts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford explorer. The contact stated that the front driver side seat independently reclined. The contact inspected the seat and noticed the bolt that detained the back of the seat fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10496479
Transmission & drivetrain

When coming to a stop, the car lurches and lights come on signaling powertrain issue. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10460371
Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10451790
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10451787
Visibility & wipers

I have found out that it is a common issue that ford has a problem on several of its models that the sun visor mirror pops out when you try to use it as a shade. This is a dangerous situation for a driver while driving in heavy traffic to have this surprise distraction. My wife almost ran off the road when it happened. I currently have it taped up on drivers side and now it happened on the passenger side. Ford will not replace with any discount leaving the owner in a precarious situation. I guess once someone has a wreck maybe then ford will do a recall. *Kb

Filed Incident Visibility · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10446561

Ford Explorer: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201301200-B
20120700-A
20111,1988304SteeringF
2010115280Transmission & drivetrainF
200933150Seats & seat beltsC
20080300-A
20070300-A
20060400-A
20050300-A
All Explorer years

2009 Ford Explorer vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2009 Ford Explorer

Does the 2009 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 Ford Explorer: equipment (September 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Explorer?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (6), acceleration & cruise control (5), engine & cooling (5).

How many complaints has the 2009 Ford Explorer had?

33 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 3, 2009 and the latest on April 19, 2021. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2009 Ford Explorer a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 53 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Explorer year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Ford Explorer years have the most complaints?

2002 (3,613), 2016 (2,466), 2015 (1,822). See every Ford Explorer year compared.

What should I do if my 2009 Ford Explorer has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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