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2009 Ford Explorer problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Ford Explorer is acceleration and speed control. It has fewer complaints than a typical Explorer model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
85/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
20
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
15-17mpg

The worst 2009 Ford Explorer problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Acceleration
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Seats
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Visibility
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Acceleration
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Seats
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Ford Explorer 20

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 20 bulletins for the 2009 Ford Explorer

2009 Ford Explorer fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylRWD152117
4.0L 6‑cylRWD142016
4.6L 8‑cyl4WD141916
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD131915

What 2009 Ford Explorer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · KS

Transmission went out while driving on expressway speed limit was75 MPH on cruise control

Filed Jan 24, 2021 · Airbags, Fuel system · CA

My car has airbag light on and I have constant problems with the fuel system, and a few electrical problems.

Filed May 14, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 184,494 miles · TX · crash

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.

Filed Oct 26, 2018 · Engine · 62,684 miles · AL

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.

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Jul 18, 2018 · 135,000 miles · NH

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.

Filed May 3, 2018 · Driver assistance · 100,000 miles · FL

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

Filed Apr 11, 2018 · Wheels · TX · crash

2009 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to wheel separation which resulted in an automobile accident. *ld

Filed Feb 11, 2018 · Wheels · 102,520 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Acceleration · IL · crash

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.

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Compare the 2009 Ford Explorer

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2009 Ford Explorer

Is the 2009 Ford Explorer reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2009 Ford Explorer, fewer than a typical Explorer model year.

What is the 2009 Ford Explorer year score?

The 2009 Ford Explorer scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Explorer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ford Explorer?

Acceleration and speed control, with 5 complaints. Next is engine (5).

How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Explorer have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Explorer get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Ford Explorer range from 15 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 21 highway.

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