2009 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 49 complaints
49
Total Complaints
67,000mi
Median Mileage
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Top Issue
8
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

42,000 25th Percentile
67,000 Median Mileage
100,000 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
ENGINE
4
WHEELS
3
SEATS
2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
2
SEAT BELTS
2
POWER TRAIN
2
TIRES
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2

Severity Assessment

8
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE HEAD REST PUSHES THE DRIVER'S HEAD TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO ITS PERPENDICULAR DESIGN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT SOMEONE WITH A SHORT STATURE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIS/HER HEAD DOWN. IF THE AIR..."
"LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON DASH ON RIGHT SIDE IF YOU TAP IT WOULD COME ON NOW ONLY ONE SIDE OF DASH LIGHTS UP AIR CONDITIONER BLOW OUT FROST ON COMPRESSOR RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK DOOR LOCK WILL NOT COME UP WHEN YOU PRESS LOCKS DEALER NEEDS TO FIX THIS NOT THE CUST IT MAKES YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A FORD ANY M..."
"LIGHT WAS BLINKING ON DASH ON RIGHT SIDE IF YOU TAP IT WOULD COME ON NOW ONLY ONE SIDE OF DASH LIGHTS UP AIR CONDITIONER BLOW OUT FROST ON COMPRESSOR RIGHT SIDE OF TRUCK DOOR LOCK WILL NOT COME UP WHEN YOU PRESS LOCKS DEALER NEEDS TO FIX THIS NOT THE CUST IT MAKES YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A FORD ANY M..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28