Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 6 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 6 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When in 4 wheel drive and put it in park it locks up. Can not remove and get out of park.
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…
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…
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…
Common questions
Is the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 6 owner complaints have been filed for the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 6 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Ford Explorer Sport Trac has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 6 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.