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Ford Explorer Sport TracModel year report

2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
20,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and brakes (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11252869, filed 2019-09, 102,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

60% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 77,504 miles.

40%0–1020%10–250%25–500%50–7520%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 20,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200922019202020212026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Explorer Sport Trac · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 19.8% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic142016$4,200
Explorer Sport Trac 2WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152117$3,950
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic131915$4,450
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic141916$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20103130,0001—17Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
2009620,0000—17—Not enough data
20082365,2651—16—Rising
200710039,2751—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2006574,0000———Not enough data
20056668,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048643,7680—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20037858,5000—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200214448,1042—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200116771,7604—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1998551,7000———Not enough data
19976107,5000———Not enough data

All Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Explorer Sport Trac 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,000 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 77,504 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.