Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford explorer. While the vehicle was stationary, the hinges on the rear hatchback window disintegrated and caused the window to detach itself completely from the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 95,000.
2009 Ford Explorer visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Ford Explorer have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Explorer | 26 |
| 2006 Explorer | 12 |
| 2007 Explorer | 6 |
| 2008 Explorer | 4 |
| 2009 Explorer (this page) | 3 |
| 2011 Explorer | 16 |
| 2012 Explorer | 19 |
| 2013 Explorer | 42 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 visibility complaints filed for the 2009 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Ford Explorer we track for visibility problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I have a 2008 Ford explorer and the rear defroster wire that was attached to the rear glass door fell off. It is only held on the window by a small weld the size of an eraser head. I called my dealership weisleder Ford in point pleasant nj, said they could not replace it because they said we pulled it off and its not under my extended warranty. I cannot believe that anyone in this country has not…
Had visibility trouble with your 2009 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2009 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 65,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.