YearToAvoid

2009 Ford Expedition Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#21 most-complained of 21 Expedition years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Ford Expedition has 28 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 0 out of 100 — #21 highest of 21 Expedition model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is structure & body (10 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes, 2 injuries, and 1 death.

Complaints
28
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy

Top 2009 Ford Expedition problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body10 (36%)
  2. Brakes5 (18%)
  3. Electrical System5 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain4 (14%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers4 (14%)
  6. Engine3 (11%)
  7. Other3 (11%)
  8. Fuel System2 (7%)
  9. Airbags1 (4%)
  10. Steering1 (4%)
2009 Ford Expedition complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2009Dec 2010Apr 2013Apr 2015Aug 2016Apr 2019Nov 2025
39 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2009 to Nov 2025; peak Jul 2014 (4).

2009 Ford Expedition recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 09V232000Jun 24, 2009Electrical System1,357 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    Ford is recalling 1,357 my 2009 expedition and navigator vehicles for failing to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may result in a delay in brake stoplamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stoplamps may not illuminate.

    Risk: Delay or loss of brake stoplamp function may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will adjust the brake stoplamp switch free of charge. The recall began on july 6, 2009. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 or www.ownerconnection.com.

2009 Ford Expedition fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Gasoline or E85
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Expedition years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Good30215215
2008Caution55146314
2009Best028116
2010Best2058015
2011Best571015

All Ford Expedition years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Ford Expedition a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Ford Expedition ranks #21 of 21 among Expedition model years (Complaint Index 0/100, verdict: Best). It has 28 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Expedition?
The most reported problem areas are structure & body (10 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), and electrical system (5 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 61,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Ford Expedition, most recently reported 2009, covering electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Ford Expedition?
EPA rates the 2009 Ford Expedition at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,050. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.