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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.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 609

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
630
2006208
2007148
200833
2009115
20101,197
2011827
2012
Compare all Explorer years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Engine
4Power Train
3Seats
3
All reported categories
Wheels
3Air Bags
2Electrical System
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes
2Structure
2Tires
2Visibility
2Child Seat
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Steering
1Suspension
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Seats complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
140,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Seats

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10496479

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2011
Seats

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

NHTSA ODI #10416733

60 miles · Apr 3, 2009
Seats

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 DRIVE…

Read full complaint

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 WAS 800.

NHTSA ODI #10264041

Official recalls

0

No 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems

Ford Explorer electrical problems →Ford Explorer transmission problems →