YearToAvoid

2009 Ford Explorer Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2009 Ford Explorer carries a Good verdict with a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 21 model years covered, though the rating is capped to Good rather than Best because 2005-2009 complaint records are less complete. Engine issues are the top reported problem area, at 27% of complaints.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
0/100
#21 of 21 Explorer years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
33
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2010
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16
14 city / 19.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2009 Ford Explorer problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine9 (27%)
  2. Other7 (21%)
  3. Structure & Body5 (15%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (15%)
  5. Brakes3 (9%)
  6. Electrical System3 (9%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
  8. Airbags2 (6%)
  9. Fuel System2 (6%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (6%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report the accelerator pedal sticking in the open throttle position, causing sudden unwanted acceleration that brakes could not stop.
  • Some drivers describe wheel separation while driving, in one case leading to a crash.
  • Seat belt buckles reportedly failed to lock properly in a crash, contributing to injuries.
  • Front and rear head restraints are described as pushing the head forward or toward the windshield, raising injury concerns.
  • Electrical problems include flickering dashboard lights and door locks that stop responding.
  • Sun visor mirrors reportedly pop out unexpectedly while driving, described as a distraction.
2009 Ford Explorer complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2009Sep 2010Mar 2012Sep 2014Sep 2016Nov 2017Jul 2018Jan 2021
33 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2009 to Apr 2021; peak Aug 2011 (2).

2009 Ford Explorer recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2009 Ford Explorer fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
19.5 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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 Explorer 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
2007Good15208115.5
2008Good10148115.5
2009Good033016
2010Good45115116
2011Caution701,197619.5

All Ford Explorer years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Explorer has a complaint index of 0, the best score among all 21 model years tracked, and carries a Good verdict.
Does the 2009 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Ford Explorer, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2009 Ford Explorer?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, making up 27% of the 33 complaints NHTSA has on file, with a median failure mileage of 73,842 miles.
Why isn't the 2009 Ford Explorer rated Best instead of Good?
The verdict is capped to Good because complaint records for model years 2005-2009 are considered less complete, not because of the complaint data itself.
How does the 2009 Explorer compare to later years like 2013 or 2016?
The 2009 model's complaint index of 0 is far lower than 2013 (85), 2016 (100), or 2015 (90), all of which carry Avoid verdicts.

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.