U.S. vehicle reference
2009 Ford Explorer MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2009 Ford Explorer MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2009 Ford Explorer reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2009 Ford Explorer MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 15 to 17 mpg across 8 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,600 | 522.7647058823529 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,600 | 522.7647058823529 g/mi |
| 4.0L 6-cylinderAutomatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,100 | 592.4666666666667 g/mi |
| 4.6L 8-cylinderAutomatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,850 | 555.4375 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2009 Ford Explorer annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 4.0L 6-cylinder, Automatic 5-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2009 Ford Explorer recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 1 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
EQUIPMENT · 10E043000
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
2009 Ford Explorer NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Ford Explorer 4-DR. w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 3/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2009 Ford Explorer gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 to 17 mpg across 8 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Explorer?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2009 Ford Explorer have recalls?
NHTSA returned 1 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated