There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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
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
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: DELAYED SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR, AND INCIDENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OUT OF PARK AND INTO GEAR, PROBLEMS ALSO IN THE TRANSMISSION'S DELAY IN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND OUT OF REVERSE. LOUD THUNK WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO REVERSE. STRUGGLING TO REACH 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH A WHINNING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026