FordExpedition2009Overview/ford/expedition/2009/base/

2009 Ford Expedition

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Expedition.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2009 Ford Expedition is an SUV equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 14/20/16 mpg, while engine specifications include a 7.0 qt oil capacity and 5W-20 API viscosity. Ownership records for this model year document 28 total owner complaints and 2 recalls, with the structure identified as the top complaint area. Within the broader model complaint history spanning 1991 to 2027, where reported issues ranged from a low of 1 in 1991 to a high of 1007 in 1999, the 2009 iteration sits well below the lineage's peak complaint volume. Consequently, this model year occupies a middle ground in the reliability timeline, offering researchers a dataset defined by specific structural concerns rather than the high-volume complaint patterns seen at the history's peak.

Model year202520242023202120202019201820172009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255-70R18OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.9 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height77.2 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight5805 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Expedition of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2015 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008King Ranch 5.4L V88.10 sec16.10 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Limited 5.4L V88.40 sec16.20 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.00 sec16.80 sec300 hp4x4
2007EL Eddie Bauer 5.4L V89.10 sec16.90 sec300 hp4x4
2015Platinum 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.40 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2015EL King Ranch 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.10 sec365 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.2 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub258 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 2.07. With auxiliary A/C, 2.25. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket41 ft-lbs / 28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle148 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.259 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Ford Expedition registers a notably light federal footprint, with just 28 complaints, 2 recalls, zero investigations, and 33 TSBs, sitting well below the 146 complaints and 5 recalls posted in 2008 and the 58 complaints of 2010. Within the broader 2007-2017 arc visible in the record, 2009 occupies an early-cycle trough before complaint and recall activity climbs steadily and peaks at 360 complaints and 12 recalls in 2018, suggesting a 2009 buyer is acquiring the platform before mid-life issues accumulated in the field. The 2 crash and 0 fire complaints for 2009, distributed modestly across Structure, Power Train, Service Brakes, and Visibility categories, indicate no single systemic defect concentrated the filings, and the data does not specify a root cause for any of these clusters. By contrast, the 1997-2001 cohort logged 612-1,007 complaints and 7-11 recalls annually alongside 5-7 open investigations, so 2009 represents a clear quality improvement over that earlier high-volume stretch of the model's history. All considered, 2009 is a defensible used buy, but a pre-purchase inspection should still confirm that both open recalls have been completed and that the listed component areas (structure, powertrain, brakes, and visibility) show no unusual wear.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
33
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
28
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure3
Power Train2
Service Brakes2
Visibility2
Visibility,Structure2
Seats2
Electrical System2
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V232000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 24/06/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
TSB 22-22192022-06-21Power TrainSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Expedition. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Expedition take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Expedition have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Expedition get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.