The Lemon Index2009 Ford Explorer.
The 2009 Ford Explorer has too few complaints to score: 12 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about seats, it has 1 recall, and it gets 15 to 17 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 33 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 100K miles on the car (26 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- equipment 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 20 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Lincoln/mercury/ford: there is fluid leaking around the transmission bulkhead connector sleeve
- 2009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated…
- No crank, crank no start, driveability symptom, or idle concern
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The front passenger head restraints push the head forward, creating stress on the neck/back and could cause injury. Seating is uncomfortable unless the seat is reclined. Which poses another risk and sight problem.
2009 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10416733
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Explorer reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (25%), tires (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Explorer have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,100 and 100,600 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 26 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works