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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

Steering complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
76,000 miles · Sep 11, 2014
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 T…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10632457

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 →