2009 Ford Explorer

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 33 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 25th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 33

Of the 2009 reports, 5 involved a crash. 5 people were injured.

Primary concernVehicle speed control5 reports · 15% of complaints
Owner complaints33Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Other or unspecified5
  2. Vehicle speed control5
  3. Engine4
  4. Power train3
  5. Seats3
  6. Wheels3
  7. Air bags2
  8. Electrical system2

Recalls and investigations

  1. EquipmentSep 3, 2010

    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.

    AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

    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.

    Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: wheels

3 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Wheels, Apr 11, 2018, crash

    2009 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS

  2. Wheels, Feb 11, 2018, 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 WAS TOWED BACK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD DAMAGE TO MY FORD SUV INCLUDED: 1) A FAILED WHEEL BEARING AND 2) ALL FIVE LUG NUTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD SHEERED OFF. I WAS TOLD ALL PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED ON MY FORD SUV FOLLOWED PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION (BY MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP) INTO THE CAUSE OF MECHANICAL FAILURES RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AS OF MAY 30, 2017, NO INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS WERE REPORTED TO ME; AND I AGAIN REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF MECHANICAL FAILURES IN JUNE 2017, AND JULY 2017. AS OF AUGUST 2017, NO INVESTIGATIVE REPORT NOR FINDINGS WERE PROVIDED TO ME. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF MECHANICAL FAILURES OF MY FORD SUV INCLUDING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION BECAUSE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PUBLICLY REFERENCES CORPORATE POLICIES AND DIRECTIVES RELATED TO PRODUCT QUALITY, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS APPLYING TO ITS GLOBAL OPERATIONS. AS OF NOVEMBER 2017, NO RECONSTRUCTION REPORT NOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORT NOR FINDINGS WERE PROVIDED TO ME BY EITHER FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I PROVIDED NOTICE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP I WOULD CONTACT THE NHTSA REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS EVENT(S) ASSERTING MY CONSUMER PROTECTED RIGHTS TO INFORMATION, HONEST SERVICES, SAFETY, CHOICE, AND EQUAL PROTECTION HAD BEEN VIOLATED. I REQUEST MY SAFETY COMPLAINT BE RECEIVED AND REVIEWED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION.

  3. Tires, Wheels, Equipment, Aug 2, 2011

    WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 25K MILES HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES DUE TO THE INSIDE WEARING BALD ON MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER. JUNE 2011, 23 MONTHS OLD AND WITH 42K MILES RIGHT REAR TIRE WEARING DIFFERENTLY THAN THE OTHERS, CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOT. ALL 5 WHEEL STUDS HAD GRADUALLY BROKE OFF OVER A FEW MONTHS TIME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATES THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MAINTAINED IS THE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR THAT IS DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND MISC DRIVING, NO TOWING OR HOT RODDING, AND A FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE. FORD NEVER RETURNED MY COMPLAINT OF ANY OTHER REASONING, ONLY REPLACED THE WHEEL STUDS ON DAMAGED WHEEL AND CHARGED ME $165 BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED 7K BEFORE. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK TIRE AT 42K MILES. DAMAGE TO MY REAR WHEEL HUB AND PAINT. NO DAMAGE OR INJURY DUE TO BEING IN PARKING LOT GOING 5 MPH. *KB