2009 Ford Explorer vs 2011 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2009 Ford Explorer | 2011 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 33 | 1,195 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 20 | 78 |
| Investigations | 0 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 30 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 4 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 15–17 | 19–20 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 81,466 mi | 71,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Explorer | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1 | 740 |
| Structure | 2 | 110 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 95 |
| Engine | 4 | 83 |
| Power Train | 3 | 64 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 44 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 35 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 28 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 0 | 178 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 116 |
| Stalling | 0 | 41 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 27 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 15 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 13 |
| Water leaks | 0 | 10 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 10 |
2009 Ford Explorer
2011 Ford Explorer
Compare all Ford Explorer vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.