2009 Ford Explorer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (5) · Wheels (3) · Service Brakes (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
26 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2010-09-03 · campaign 10E043000 · 294 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (20)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Steering 2018-10-02 · DOR-S3J9G-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. excessive friction in the ball joint assembly may cause a perceptible increase in steering effort.
Equipment 2018-06-01 · SSM 47331 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various vehicles equipped with a 4.6l, 5.4l, 6.8l modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or engine damage. if diagnosis leads to only camshaft/camshaft roller follower(s) requiring replacement, rep
Showing the 6 most recent of 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-04-19 · Unknown Or Other“transmission went out while driving on expressway speed limit was75 mph on cruise control…”
2021-01-24 · Seat Belts“my car has airbag light on and i have constant problems with the fuel system, and a few electrical problems.…”
2020-05-14 · Service Brakes · 184,494 mi · 💥 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 aroun…”
2018-10-26 · Engine · 62,684 mi“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…”
2018-09-17 · Vehicle Speed Control · 100,000 mi“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.…”
2018-07-18 · Unknown Or Other · 135,000 mi“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.…”
2018-05-03 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 100,000 mi“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 *** …”
2018-04-11 · Wheels · 💥 crash“2009 ford explorer. consumer writes in regards to wheel separation which resulted in an automobile accident. *ld *js…”
2018-02-11 · Wheels · 102,520 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2017-11-21 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 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 vehi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.