Ford · Explorer · 2009
1
Recall
33
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Ford Explorer has 1 recall and 33 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: unknown or other (3 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY SPEED LIMIT WAS75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL
MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
2009 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
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 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.
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.
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
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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
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.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Ford Explorer has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 33 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Ford Explorer.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Ford Explorer are unknown or other (3 reports), seats (3 reports), vehicle speed control (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2009 Ford Explorer. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.