2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Tires (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (13)
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,
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
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2017-03-14 · SSM 46451 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. refer to workshop manual (wsm), section 307-01 for main control valve body (7a100) overhaul procedures. not all valve bodies require replacement. inspect the valve
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-11 · Service Brakes“on october 31, 2025, i was backing out of my driveway when multiple lights concerning the brakes came on. there had been no previous warnings about any issue with the brakes. my internet search revealed that it wasn't safe to drive, so i contacted gary yeoman ford and they sent a rollback to pick the truck up. after gary yeoman performed tests, …”
2021-02-24 · Electrical System · 500 mi“the seat belt warning lite wants to stay on.…”
2020-11-13 · Power Train · 77,504 mi“when in 4 wheel drive and put it in park it locks up. can not remove and get out of park.…”
2019-09-03 · Power Train · 102,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 ford explorer sport trac. when the vehicle was engaged in park, the key became stuck inside the ignition. the contact mentioned that he manually pushed a pin in the shifter to remove the key. the contact also mentioned that the gear was able to be removed out of park without the key being in the ignition. the vehicle was…”
2009-09-04 · Tires · 20,000 mi“while driving on the highway, the tire blew up due to a nail embedded in the tire. the tire was ripped away from the rim. the spare was placed on the vehicle and then driven to the dealer where the truck was purchased. the tire was deemed defective as a nail embedded in the tire should not cause it to rip away from the rim. *tr…”
2009-04-27 · Vehicle Speed Control · 500 mi“my new 2009 ford explorer sport trac with adjustable pedals has the accelerator pedal and brake pedal too close together. i find myself hitting the gas at the same time i am hitting the brake. this is an accident waiting to happen. i already have run into an intersection once. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.