2009 Ford Expedition

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

65/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ford Expedition, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Structure	3	11%
Power train	2	7%
Service brakes	2	7%
Visibility	2	7%
Visibility	2	7%
Seats	2	7%
Electrical system	2	7%
Engine	1	4%
Steering	1	4%
Power train	1	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The drive shaft is bad. My expedition is shaking very bad at high speeds it shakes the rear view mirror. I took it back to the dealership where I got it from 3 months after I got it because they thought it was the shocks
NHTSA complaint: Power train

THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE VEHICLE WOBBLES WHEN STOPPING. THE BRAKES LOOK FINE AND THE ROTORS APPEAR TO BE GOOD. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN JERRY'S FORD IN ALEXANDRIA, VA FOR OVER 2 WEEKS THIS TIME. OVER A MONTH ALL TOGETHER OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I CAN'T GET THEM TO GIVE ME A SIMILAR VEHICLE AS LOANER OR TELL ME WHEN MY CAR WILL BE F
NHTSA complaint: Steering

WHILE IAM DRIVING MY 2009 EXPEDITION ON A HIGHWAY ITS GOING TO A LIMP MODE MEANS VECHLE AUTOMATICITY LOSE POWER AND GO DOWN TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. 18 WHEELER ALMOST REAR END ME OTHER DAY . THIS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME O
NHTSA complaint: Power train

REAR AND FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS CAUSED EXPENSIVE FIXES. FUEL ISSUE IS THAT THE SENSOR DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND CONSTANTLY SHOWS ZERO MILES TO EMPTY ON INFORMATION PANEL. CAUSED US TO FUN OUT OF F
NHTSA complaint: Power train

LOWER RETAINING BOLT BETWEEN STRUT AND WHEEL HUB HAS FAILED CAUSING HEAD OF BOLT TO SHEAR OFF (SEE PHOTOS) ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY. BOLT HEAD WAS FOUND LYING IN DRIVEWAY AND SHEARED BOLT WAS FOUND ON
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

TAMARA RECALL I WAS RECENTLY IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED! I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH AND HIT SOMETHING AT A DEAD STOP. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint: Structure

AIR CONDITIONER AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL.FRONT BLOWER PERIODICALLY STOPS BLOWING.MAY NOT TURN ON WHEN VEHICLE STARTED OR STOP WHILE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING, NOTHING SPECIFIC TO RECREATE ISSUE.REAR BLOWER WORKS FINE.BEEN DIA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Ford Expedition. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch 09V232000

FORD IS RECALLING 1,357 MY 2009 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOPLAMP

Risk: DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOPLAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 OR WWW.OWNERCONNE

The seven scores

Reliability raw	84	excellent
Longevity est.	79	good
Maintenance	60	average
Depreciation	39	below average
Performance	73	good
Efficiency	31	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 72% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 77% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 23% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 7% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 84: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 79: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2009 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 60: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2009 Ford Expedition?

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 3 of them (11%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2009 Ford Expedition reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2009 Ford Expedition last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2009 Ford Expedition?

AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.