← New search

2009 Ford F-150

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford F-150 are lower than the model-year median of 676.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

289 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

324 reports
20,900 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS STALLED/SHUT DOWN ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING OPERATION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. DURING THE LATEST OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE NAVIGATING A LEFT TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE STALL RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO S…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE HAS STALLED/SHUT DOWN ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS DURING OPERATION. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. DURING THE LATEST OCCURRENCE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE NAVIGATING A LEFT TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE STALL RESULTED IN A POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 05/23/2011. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUT THEY CANNOT RECREATED THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE HAVE NO SOLUTION. I HAVE ALSO NOTIFIED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN SIX OTHER QUALITY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOPEFULLY THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT WILL NOT RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406135

13,250 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING UP. I HAD JUST STARTED THE ENGINE AND PLACED IT IN REVERSE AND THEN TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY TO START MOVING. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY BACKWARDS. LUCKILY MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR FOR I WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND ON A SLIGHT INCLINE SO…

Read full complaint

I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING UP. I HAD JUST STARTED THE ENGINE AND PLACED IT IN REVERSE AND THEN TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR LIGHTLY TO START MOVING. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY BACKWARDS. LUCKILY MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR FOR I WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT AND ON A SLIGHT INCLINE SO I WAS RIDING THE BRAKE LIGHTLY. I HAD MY RIGHT FOOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COULD BARELY KEEP IT SLOWED. I PLACED THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL AND THE TACH SHOWED A STEADY 4000 RPM, AGAIN MY FOOT WAS STILL OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I THEN TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND ALL SEEM NORMAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR SHOW ANY COMPUTER CODE ERRORS.

NHTSA ODI #10406471

5 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THERE THE BACK LIGHTING OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD NOT BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY READING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DES…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THERE THE BACK LIGHTING OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD NOT BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY READING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ODI #10405399

64,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO 95. I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THINKING IT COULD BE STUCK, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT USING IT AT THE TIME, BRAKED AS HARD AS I COULD AND GOT THE TRUCK TO SLOW DOWN AND GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SIDE ROAD AND FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE TRUCK. IT IMME…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO 95. I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, THINKING IT COULD BE STUCK, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT USING IT AT THE TIME, BRAKED AS HARD AS I COULD AND GOT THE TRUCK TO SLOW DOWN AND GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE TO A SIDE ROAD AND FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE TRUCK. IT IMMEDIATELY RAN UP TO 5K RMP. I SHUT IT BACK DOWN AND CALLED A FRIENDS WHO IS A MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY AND LET IT SIT A FEW MINUTES. DID THIS AND IT RESTARTED AND I GOT IT HOME. HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER SINCE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; STATES THAT 4 PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN IT; THEY LET IT RUN FOR TWO HOURS AND ALL DIAGNOSTICS TESTS INDICATE ALL IS WELL. EVIDENTLY THERE IS AN ISSUE SOMEWHERE. I JUST PRAY I DON'T KILL SOMEBODY OR MYSELF NEXT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399308

40,337 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN EXHIBITING PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FORTH TIME FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS USING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSIO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN EXHIBITING PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FORTH TIME FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS USING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FOR HIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ABNORMALLY, THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD AND EXHIBITING A LOUD BANG SOUND WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,337 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10397388

43,000 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Wheels

WHILE DRIVING 2009 FORD F150 AT FREEWAY SPEED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED. WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED IT MADE HEAVY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER AND SOME CONTACT WITH THE UPPER A-ARM OF THE SUSPENSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOMENTARILY LOOSE CONTROL, CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE ROADS WERE RELATIVELY UNOCCUPIED A…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 2009 FORD F150 AT FREEWAY SPEED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED. WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED IT MADE HEAVY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER AND SOME CONTACT WITH THE UPPER A-ARM OF THE SUSPENSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO MOMENTARILY LOOSE CONTROL, CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THE ROADS WERE RELATIVELY UNOCCUPIED AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE WHEEL HAD NO PREVIOUS DAMAGE AND HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS. THE TIRE MOUNTED ON THE WHEEL HAD APROX 800 MILES OF USE. FORD CURRENTLY HAS THE WHEEL AND WILL BE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I ASSUME THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL, TIRE, BRAKE CALIPER ANT PMS SENSOR WILL BE NECESSARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396019

9,000 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Power Train

EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES AT LOW MILES (9,000, THEN 15,000, THEN 17,000). THE FORD DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE 3RD FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED OUT AND THEY REPLACED THE BAD PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386567

48,000 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2009 FORD F150 SUFFERS ENGINE STALL WHEN STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO DIAGNOSTIC INDICATIONS (ENGINE LIGHT, CODES STORED). IT HAS A "LIFETIME" FUEL FILTER, SO IT CANNOT BE CHANGED. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST, RESULTING IN POSSIBILITY OF ROLLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE SUFFERED…

Read full complaint

MY 2009 FORD F150 SUFFERS ENGINE STALL WHEN STOPPING IN TRAFFIC. THERE ARE NO DIAGNOSTIC INDICATIONS (ENGINE LIGHT, CODES STORED). IT HAS A "LIFETIME" FUEL FILTER, SO IT CANNOT BE CHANGED. WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST, RESULTING IN POSSIBILITY OF ROLLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE SUFFERED 3 NEAR MISSES IN THE PAST 3 DAYS. FORD WILL NOT ACCOMMODATE MY SCHEDULE FOR SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386540

2,800 miles · Feb 25, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DEEP GROOVES IN FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AFTER ONLY 2800 MILES . FORD REPLACED LEFT CALIP TURNED ROTORS ; DIDN'T REPLACE PADS. AFTER 5800 MI ROTORS AGAIN HAD DEEP GROOVES IN ROTORS. FORD HAS HAD TRUCK FOR 5 DAYS; UNABLE TO GET ROTORS IS THE EXCUSE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. I HOPE THEY REPLACE BOTH ROTORS ,PAD AND THE RIGHT CALI…

Read full complaint

DEEP GROOVES IN FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AFTER ONLY 2800 MILES . FORD REPLACED LEFT CALIP TURNED ROTORS ; DIDN'T REPLACE PADS. AFTER 5800 MI ROTORS AGAIN HAD DEEP GROOVES IN ROTORS. FORD HAS HAD TRUCK FOR 5 DAYS; UNABLE TO GET ROTORS IS THE EXCUSE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. I HOPE THEY REPLACE BOTH ROTORS ,PAD AND THE RIGHT CALIP. ROTOR S MAY NEED TO BE THE VENTILATED TYPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384485

20,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SMART JUNCT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SMART JUNCTION BOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMART BOX NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE FEATURES THAT WERE INCLUDED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 3/25/11 *CN UPDATED 04/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10382814

Official recalls

2

11V049000 · Structure:body:door

Feb 1, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL USAGE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE DOOR HANDLE SPRING CAN FAIL CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE INITIALLY NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IF ANY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE OR FAILS TO RETURN TO THE STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTIVATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECT MODULE. ONCE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF EACH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION, THE DEALER WILL EITHER ADD A SPRING EMBOSSMENT REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

09V150000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

May 5, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING 8,735 MY 2009 F-150 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF 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 STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOP LAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH REMOVED AND REINSTALLED WHICH WILL PROVIDE PROPER ADJUSTMENT. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 OR THROUGH THE INTERNET AT WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.