Total Complaints
7 filings
FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC · model year
2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
7 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009FORDEXPLORER SPORT TRAC carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is power train with 2 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (1) and tires (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2009 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20260111SERVICE BRAKES
On October 31, 2025, I was backing out of my driveway when multiple lights concerning the brakes came on. There had been no previous warnings about any issue with the brakes. My internet search revealed that it wasn't safe to drive, so I contacted Gary Yeoman Ford and they sent a rollback to pick the truck up. After Gary Yeoman performed tests, they confirmed that the ABS Module was defective and conducted a pinpoint test for code 1342 in system and found internal fault in module. According to Google, code B1342 can cause serious drivability issues. I have printouts from Google and Gary Yeoman Ford to support these statements. I will attempt to upload these documents from my phone. This is being filled out on a desktop and I have no scanner.
20210224AIR BAGS
THE SEAT BELT WARNING LITE WANTS TO STAY ON.
Mileage: 500
20210224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SEAT BELT WARNING LITE WANTS TO STAY ON.
Mileage: 500
20201113POWER TRAIN
WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK IT LOCKS UP. CAN NOT REMOVE AND GET OUT OF PARK.
Mileage: 77,504
20190903POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN PARK, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE MANUALLY PUSHED A PIN IN THE SHIFTER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Mileage: 102,000
20090904TIRES
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TIRE BLEW UP DUE TO A NAIL EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS RIPPED AWAY FROM THE RIM. THE SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED. THE TIRE WAS DEEMED DEFECTIVE AS A NAIL EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE SHOULD NOT CAUSE IT TO RIP AWAY FROM THE RIM. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
20090427VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY NEW 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS HAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. I FIND MYSELF HITTING THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME I AM HITTING THE BRAKE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I ALREADY HAVE RUN INTO AN INTERSECTION ONCE. *TR
Mileage: 500
Compare 2009FORDEXPLORER SPORT TRAC to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC have?▼
The 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC is POWER TRAIN with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and TIRES.
Is the 2009 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.