Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2009 Ford Explorer

The Verdict

92 Smooth Ride

The 2009 Ford Explorer has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (20 complaints) and engine (7 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 92/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Explorer, consider the 2024 model year which has 42% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 42% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Ford Explorer dashboard →

92

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2009 Ford Explorer. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200059160179136137
200141451969597
200213561272863221518
200367748116137332
20046723986155450
2005279145312993
2006762826244261
20077610313951
2008496372728
2009201372
20104111152423
20118642112113154
2012572197311239
201315123115839791
201411142413930464
201511432615235157
2016149613176554156
201711161610032985
201846574813334
20191864193232
202037860154157406
202117216406995
20221019325051
202362611146
2024150211
202545119913

By Category

Body
20
Engine
7
Electrical
3
Transmission
2
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
14
2
12
3
2
4
5

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2009 Ford Explorer stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 2

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY SPEED LIMIT WAS75 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL

63mo ago
Engine 1

MY CAR HAS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I HAVE CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A FEW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.

66mo ago
Engine 4

SUV SEEMS TO BE IDLED DURING START UP OR EVEN WHEN DRIVING. SOUNDS AIRY LIKE ITS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ALSO I HAVE HAD BREAK PADS REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE GONE OUT MORE THAN NORMAL. EACH TIME GOING OUT BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TODAY, CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND CAR SPENT OUT OF CONTROL SPINNING AROUND 3 TIMES BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALMART. *TR

75mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD (5041 FORD PARKWAY, BESSEMER, ALABAMA 35022, (205)491-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,684. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WOULD STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *JB

94mo ago
Body 1

THROTTLE BODY ISSUES, INTERMITTENT STAHLS, PEDAL SURING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ A DEFECT IN THE 2009 FORD MODELS. MY TRUCK IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REPAIR AND I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE EXPENSES OF REPAIRING THIS DEFECT.

95mo ago
Body 2

THE SHIFTER DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. THE CAR DOES NOT STAY IN GEAR. IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE PIN IN SHIFTER IS NOT WORKING.

97mo ago
Body 1

FORD: MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6 EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT/ALARM WITH THE RSC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADS (STREET, FREEWAY, HIGHWAY). ALL THE INSTANCES OCCURRED HAD BEEN PROPERLY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN REPEATED VISITS THAT SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED ON THEIR BOOKS. IN ALL INSTANCES THE ALARM IS *** NOT *** REGISTERED IN THE NON-VOLATILE MEMORY (NVM) PORTION OF THE ON BOARD COMPUTER CODE IS B1432 CONTROL MODULE FAILURE

99mo ago
Body 4

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

100mo ago
Body 4

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.

102mo ago
Body 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MULTIPLE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

105mo ago
Body 2

CAR OFTEN FILLS WITH A STRONG SULFUR (EGG LIKE) SMELL. VERY NOTICEABLE AFTER LONG TRIPS OR VERY HOT DAYS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

114mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER BRAKE OR STEERING ABILITY. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AND STARTED THE VEHICLE NORMALLY, BUT THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. ...UPDATED 02/22/17 *BF *TR

116mo ago
Brakes 1

FORD: MY 2009 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER V6 EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT/ALARM WITH THE RSC SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON PUBLIC ROADS (STREET, FREEWAY, HIGHWAY). ALL THE INSTANCES OCCURRED HAD BEEN PROPERLY DOCUMENTED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN REPEATED VISITS THAT SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED ON THEIR BOOKS. IN ALL INSTANCES THE ALARM IS *** NOT *** REGISTERED IN THE NON-VOLATILE MEMORY (NVM) PORTION OF THE ON BOARD COMPUTER (AS EVIDENCED BY DEALER RECORDS TO ME). THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY FORD AND THIS AGENCY. DATE BELOW IS THE LATEST INSTANCE OF THIS EVENT. IT HAD BEEN OBSERVED, RECORDED AND DISCUSSED WITH FORD IN AT LEAST 5 OTHER TIMES. ON ALL INSTANCES BUT ONE, THE ALARM (VISUAL AND SOUND CHIME) REPEATS FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES WITHIN AN INTERVAL OF 5 MINUTES AND FOR AS LONG AS THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND PRONE TO DISTRACTION OF THE DRIVER. THERE IS NO KNOWN OVERRIDE BUTTON TO DISARM THE ALARM/ANNUNCIATION. AT ONE INSTANCE I HAD MY OWN OBD2 DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE OBD2 PORT TO CAPTURE THESE EVENTS WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS THIRD PARTY DIVIDE DID NOT REGISTER A FAULT CODE. I FIND THIS (BUT MAINLY THE OFFICIAL DEALER TECHNICAL EXPERTS LACK OF RECORDED FAULT CODE) HIGHLY DISTURBING GIVING THE IMPLICATION THAT A FAILURE OF THE ROLL-STABILITY-CONTROL (RSC) CAN IMPART TO THE VEHICLE AND ITS OCCUPANTS. *TR

117mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE HINGES ON THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO DETACH ITSELF COMPLETELY FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

118mo ago
Electrical 1

PLEASE KEEP ANONYMOUS AND REFERENCED UNDER J9EL1, MC32SZ, KYH2U AS THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WITH REAR LICENSE PLATE TAG# OBX90432 MAY BE AN ISIS/ISIL MEMBER LEADER AND OR BOTH AND HAS SEXUALLY ASSAYED AND ABUSED ME SINCE 1993. HER CAR HAS NO VIN NUMBER ON IT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SAWED OFF. I CHECKED MYSELF. SHE WORKS AT DIAMOND SHOALS RESTAURANT IN BUXTON, NC 27920 AND SHE BREAKS INTO MY HOME AT NIGHT WHEN I'M SLEEPING. SHE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVIL WORSHIPING, DRINKING BLOOD, AND SHE'S A WELL KNOWN IV DRUG USER IN DARE COUNTY AND HAS BEEN SINCE 1977. SHE VIOLATES MY PRIVACY AND CIVIL RIGHTS EVERY DAY AND CONSTANTLY HARASSES ME AND MY FAMILY. SHE DRIVES A GREENISH BLUE FORD EXPLORER THAT'S PROBABLY BEEN WRECKED NUMEROUS TIMES AND PUT BACK TOGETHER AND TAKEN APART TO SELL ITS PARTS FOR DRUG MONEY SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE WRITTEN COMPLAINTS TO THE DEPT OF EDUCATION, THE DEPT OF JUSTICE, THE DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE DEPT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND SHERRI THOMAS BREAKS BOUNDARIES WITH HER VEHICLE IN THE ROAD EVERY DAY UNDER THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 5U.S.C. 552A, THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 5U.S.C. 552, AND 34 C.F.R 5B.9(B)

119mo ago
Body 3

2009 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE WINDOW GLASS TO DROP. I WAS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, PUSHED THE WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON, WINDOW STARTED TO OPEN, THEN THE HINGE GAVE OUT. WAS ABLE TO CATCH WITH RIGHT HAND, PINNING MY WRIST AGAINST THE GLASS AND REAR HATCH. I SEE A SIMILAR SAFETY RECALL 04S20 WAS ISSUED FOR 2002 - 2005 VEHICLES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, SAME HINGE BEING USED ON MY 2009.

122mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A FRACTURED RIB, BRUISED LUNG, AND A BROKEN TOOTH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE FOREHEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

137mo ago
Body 2

I STARTED THE EXPLORER AND WENT ABOUT 300 FEET AND PULLED OVER TO ALLOW AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE TO PASS. THE EXPLORER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BUT WAS HELD BACK BY THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RESTARTING THE EXPLORER RAN FINE UNTIL ANOTHER INCIDENT IN MID OCTOBER. I STARTED THE EXPLORER AND WENT ABOUT 500 FEET TO A STOP SIGN AND AS I SLOWED DOWN THE EXPLORER WANTED TO KEEP GOING. AS I WAS IN A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS AROUND (ALSO BEING THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED) I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AS THE ENGINE SURGED. THIS TIME I HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SURGE STOPPED. NEITHER TIME WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. ALSO EACH TIME THE EXPLORER HAD JUST BEEN STARTED. NO LIGHTS INDICATING A FAILURE ON THE DASH. NO CHANCE I HIT THE CRUISE BUTTON. *TR

141mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END SEPARATING FORM THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE TIE ROD DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

144mo ago
Engine 2

WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOUD TICKING NOISE. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ONLINE, IT APPEARED TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SNAPPING OFF CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. THE REPAIRS WILL BE OVER $1,000, AND THIS SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE FORUMS QUITE FREQUENTLY. *TR

153mo ago

33 total

1/ 2
Report a Klunk