IllustrationMY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
2009 Ford Explorer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer are lower than the model-year median of 609.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →33Owner complaints
Model-year median: 609
0Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
2009 Ford Explorer
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 33 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Unknown Or Other: 5 reports
- Vehicle Speed Control: 5 reports
- Engine: 4 reports
- Power Train: 3 reports
- Seats: 3 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
No recall campaigns in this snapshot.
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
325–50K
550–75K
675–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
26 reports with mileage · 7 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
2 reportsTL* 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,…
Read full complaint
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.
Recall campaigns
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.