Model year record

2009 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

The 2009 Ford Explorer has 1 safety recall and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (5 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints33filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Ford Explorer in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentSep 3, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10E043000294 vehicles

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.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	22.8%

2009 Ford Explorer NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Explorer 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Explorer 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control	5	1	0	46,250 mi
Unknown or other	5	0	0	83,500 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	4	0	0	—
Engine	4	1	0	73,842 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	1	0	78,000 mi
Wheels	3	2	1	—
Tires	2	0	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system	2	0	0	—
Seat belts	2	1	2	—
Air bags	2	1	2	—
StructureBody	2	0	1	—
Electrical system	2	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY SPEED LIMIT WAS75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL
Apr 1, 2021
Air bags
MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
Sep 2, 2020
Service brakesCrash
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
May 14, 2020 · 184,494 miles
Engine
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
Oct 2, 2018 · 62,684 miles
Vehicle speed 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.
Sep 11, 2018 · 100,000 miles
Unknown or other
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.
Jun 17, 2018 · 135,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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
May 1, 2018 · 100,000 miles
WheelsCrash
2009 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
May 13, 2017

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.