VehicleVerdict

2009 Ford Expedition problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Ford Expedition is among the quieter years of the Expedition on NHTSA's books: 42 complaints (79% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (8), electrical system (6), and visibility & wipers (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

42

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Expedition years?

Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted1,137 complaints1991: 1 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 1 complaints1996: 3 complaints1997: 1,065 complaints1998: 1,022 complaints1999: 1,137 complaints2000: 1,134 complaints2001: 739 complaints2002: 415 complaints2003: 800 complaints2004: 381 complaints2005: 452 complaints2006: 395 complaints2007: 267 complaints2008: 179 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 74 complaints2011: 92 complaints2012: 163 complaints2013: 114 complaints2014: 96 complaints2015: 229 complaints2016: 274 complaints2017: 474 complaints2018: 452 complaints2019: 581 complaints2020: 473 complaints2021: 270 complaints2022: 156 complaints2023: 87 complaints2024: 106 complaints2025: 47 complaints2026: 13 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Expedition NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Expedition years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Ford Expedition problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure819%
Electrical System614%
Visibility & Wipers512%
Brakes410%
Transmission410%
Seats37%
Other37%
Fuel System25%
Engine25%
Steering12%
Airbags12%
Suspension12%
Lighting12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 2009 Ford Expedition have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V232000LightingJune 24, 2009 · 1,357 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 1,357 MY 2009 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOPLAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Consequence

DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOPLAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 OR WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING IN A SCHOOL ZONE WHEN A VEHICLE RAN A YIELD SIGN AND HIT ME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME THROUGH A FENCE AND INTO A RESIDENTIAL YARD. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDOW AND THE HANDLE THAT WAS MOLDED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE LEFT SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 19, 2013 · crash

“2009 FORD EXPEDITION FOG LIGHTS - BOTH FOG LIGHT LENS CRACK AFTER DRIVING ON A PAVED HIGHWAY IN SUB ZERO FREEZING WEATHER. BOTH HAVE IDENTICAL FAILURE MODE AND FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MATERIALS, DESIGN, AND ENGINEERING IS SUB-STANDARD AND DOES NOT MEET DOT SPECIFICATIONS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 10, 2009

“2009 FORD EXPEDITION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MOON ROOF FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF WAS LEAKING. THE MOON ROOF WOULD NOT FULLY OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD COST $1994.00 TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 3, 2014

“THE HYDRALIC CONTROLLER WENT OUT AFTER GETTING THE BRAKES REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THEIR WAS NO WARNING THAT THE PUMP HAD GONE OUT. THIS ALLOWED THE BRAKES TO FAIL MAKING THE CAR A HAZARD ON THE ROAD. I WAS INFORMED BY THE FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN THERE WAS NOT A WARNING LIGHT OF FAILURE, WAY TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 5, 2013

“REAR AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS CAUSED EXPENSIVE FIXES. FUEL ISSUE IS THAT THE SENSOR DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND CONSTANTLY SHOWS ZERO MILES TO EMPTY ON INFORMATION PANEL. CAUSED US TO FUN OUT OF FUEL ON A FEW OCCASIONS. ON THE FUEL THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION, THE DIFFERENTIAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 20, 2018

2009 Ford Expedition — common questions

Is the 2009 Ford Expedition reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 42 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Expedition year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Expedition problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), visibility & wipers (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 Ford Expedition have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Expedition years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Expedition years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2001, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2005, 2002, 2006, 2004, 2021. The cleanest record among Expedition years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.