YearToAvoid

2009 Ford Expedition Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2009 Ford Expedition carries a Good verdict, ranked 21st worst out of 21 model years, with 28 complaints and a complaint index of 0. Its verdict is capped to Good rather than higher because NHTSA records for 2005-2009 are considered less complete. It has one recall, for a brake stoplamp switch issue.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#21 of 21 Expedition years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
28
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 20 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 1

Top 2009 Ford Expedition problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in a side-impact crash despite the driver wearing a seatbelt, resulting in head injury.
  • Vehicles have suddenly shut off while driving, triggering the electronic throttle control light and causing loss of power steering and braking assist.
  • Fog light lenses cracked after driving in sub-zero highway conditions, with owners reporting this as a design or materials defect.
  • A third-row rear side window reportedly shattered on its own while driving, with no outside impact.
  • The dash instrument cluster went dark during daytime, making the speedometer, fuel gauge, and other readouts unreadable.
  • Front seats reportedly could not slide backward due to a failed motor, seat track, or wiring in the seat mechanism.
2009 Ford Expedition complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2009Dec 2010Apr 2013Apr 2015Aug 2016Apr 2019Nov 2025
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2009 to Nov 2025; peak Nov 2011 (2).

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
2009Good028116
2010Best2058015
2011Best571015

All Ford Expedition years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Ford Expedition reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2009 Expedition a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0 and only 28 complaints, ranking it 21st worst (meaning best) among 21 model years.
Does the 2009 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (09V232000) covering a brake stoplamp switch issue that failed to meet federal lamp standards.
What is the top complaint area for the 2009 Ford Expedition?
Structure & Body complaints lead with 10 reports, or 36% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 61,072 miles.
Why is the 2009 Expedition capped at Good instead of a higher verdict?
NHTSA notes that complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete, so the verdict is capped to Good rather than being scored purely on the low complaint index.
How does the 2009 Expedition compare to other Expedition years?
It performs much better than the 2017-2021 model years, which are all rated Avoid with complaint indexes between 80 and 100.

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.