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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
5 miles · Sep 20, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY, THE THROTTLE STUCK AND KEPT ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT 4000RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AND SHUT IT OFF. IT WORKED FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THI…

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WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY, THE THROTTLE STUCK AND KEPT ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT 4000RPM WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AND SHUT IT OFF. IT WORKED FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THIS VEHICLE IS GOING TO FORD IN THE MORNING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284656

3,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXTENDED 1.5 INCHES OUTSIDE THE NORMAL PLACEMENT FOR THE TIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNINGS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXTENDED 1.5 INCHES OUTSIDE THE NORMAL PLACEMENT FOR THE TIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,000. UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/14/09.

NHTSA ODI #10284021

3,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
SeatsStructure

WHEN ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, HEAD RESTS FORCE THE HEAD TOWARDS THE CHIN AND ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS THE NEW SAFETY DESIGN. HEADRESTS ARE NON ADJUSTABLE. ALSO, THEY ARE VERY WIDE AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FRAME POST AT THE REAR OF THE DOORS, CREATE A BLIND SPOT ON BOTH SIDES OF TH…

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WHEN ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, HEAD RESTS FORCE THE HEAD TOWARDS THE CHIN AND ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS THE NEW SAFETY DESIGN. HEADRESTS ARE NON ADJUSTABLE. ALSO, THEY ARE VERY WIDE AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FRAME POST AT THE REAR OF THE DOORS, CREATE A BLIND SPOT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PICKUP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281262

2,500 miles · Aug 18, 2009
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD NO ANSWER TO MY CONCERN. I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 FORD XLT FOUR DOOR EXTENDED CAB PICKUP IN FEBRUARY. IN APRIL 2009, I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE DASH LIGHTS (GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, ETC.) CAME ON ONLY WHEN IT WAS VERY DARK OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TRUE WHETHER THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE MANUAL OR THE AUTOMATIC POSITIO…

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I HAVE HAD NO ANSWER TO MY CONCERN. I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 FORD XLT FOUR DOOR EXTENDED CAB PICKUP IN FEBRUARY. IN APRIL 2009, I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE DASH LIGHTS (GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, ETC.) CAME ON ONLY WHEN IT WAS VERY DARK OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS TRUE WHETHER THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE MANUAL OR THE AUTOMATIC POSITION. THE DASH LIGHTS WILL NOT RESPOND WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED IN THE MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC POSITION UNLESS IT IS VERY DARK OUTSIDE OR YOU PLACE YOUR FINGER OVER THE ELECTRIC EYE. THE FORD DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AGREED THAT THE DASH LIGHTS SHOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE DAYS TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY FINALLY GOT HOLD OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HOT LINE AND WERE TOLD THAT THE CURRENT LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A RESULT OF A PROGRAMMING CHANGE MADE BY THE COMPANY FOR 2009. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION TO MY CONCERN WOULD RESULT AS A PROBABLE RECALL FOR ALL OF THE VEHICLES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN LATE MAY 2009, I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND RELATED THE ABOVE-STATED CONCERN. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY ATTENTIVE AND COURTEOUS AND INDICATED THAT HE WOULD FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE FORD ORGANIZATION. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT FEEL THAT I WOULD BE GETTING ANY RESPONSES. I UNDERSTAND THE YOUNG MAN'S DILEMMA (IT'S A TECHNICAL PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS A TECHNICAL INPUT). I AM STILL WONDERING WHETHER A FORD COMPANY PROGRAMMING CHANGE IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OR IF MY CONCERN IS JUSTIFIED. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME SAFETY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED, I.E. SHOULDN'T YOU BE ABLE TO TELL IF YOUR HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BY GLANCING AT YOUR DASH LIGHTS DURING DAYLIGHT STORM CONDITIONS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280857

202 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED WITH GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A DANGERO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAILING. THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED WITH GREAT FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN A REAR END CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 202. UPDATED 09/01/09 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10279621

600 miles · Aug 3, 2009
StructureUnknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. DURING RAINY CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM VIEWING THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE AT A SPECIFIC RANGE OF DARKNESS OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. DURING RAINY CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM VIEWING THE SPEEDOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE AT A SPECIFIC RANGE OF DARKNESS OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 600. UPDATED 08/28/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SENSOR ON TOP OF THE DASH, THAT DIDN'T SENSE ENOUGH DARKNESS TO ALLOW THE HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON. UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10279147

1,200 miles · Jul 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFire

I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED FRONTAL COLLISION WITH MY 2009 FORD F150 PICK UP. THE COLLISION WAS OFF CENTER LEFT WITH ANOTHER FORD F150 (1993-1994 MODEL). THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLES WAS LESS THAN 40 MPH AS THE COLLISION HAPPENED ON A HILLY AND TWISTING ROAD. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON IMPACT AND WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN JUST OV…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOW SPEED FRONTAL COLLISION WITH MY 2009 FORD F150 PICK UP. THE COLLISION WAS OFF CENTER LEFT WITH ANOTHER FORD F150 (1993-1994 MODEL). THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLES WAS LESS THAN 40 MPH AS THE COLLISION HAPPENED ON A HILLY AND TWISTING ROAD. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON IMPACT AND WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN JUST OVER A MINUTE. MY DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE AND I WERE NOT INJURED AS THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS WORKED PROPERLY. WE NEVER MADE CONTACT WITH THE AIR BAGS AND SUSTAINED NO SEAT BELT BRUISING OR OTHER INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276876

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE ACCELERATING ON A RAMP TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE TRUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GAIN SPEED RAPIDLY. THE TRUCK WENT FROM APPROX 25 TO 87MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PEDAL UN-STUCK. THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD LITTLE EFFECT, I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE TR…

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WHILE ACCELERATING ON A RAMP TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC THE TRUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GAIN SPEED RAPIDLY. THE TRUCK WENT FROM APPROX 25 TO 87MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PEDAL UN-STUCK. THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD LITTLE EFFECT, I NARROWLY MISSED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET THE TRUCK TO SLOW DOWN FOR A FEW MILES. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO SLOW IT TO 30MPH AND PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO MAKE IT STOP COMPLETELY. IT HAS OCCURRED ONCE (AND THAT IS ENOUGH). I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS LATER ADVISED THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO I COULD COME PICK THE TRUCK UP. NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275949

1 miles · Jun 17, 2009
Seats

HEAD RESTS IN THE WAY, SEEM TO BE TO LARGE, MOSTLY NOTED WHEN BACKING UP & TRYING TO LOOK OUT BACK WINDOW, ALSO ON A PERSON 5' FOOT TALL (A WOMAN ) THE HEAD REST HITS THEM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD ,MAKES IT VERY UNPLASENT TO RIDE IN. *TR THE TRUCK UNDER THAT CONDTION .

NHTSA ODI #10274082

3,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Seats

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND CONSTANTLY STRUCK HIM IN THE BACK OF THE NECK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NEW DESIGN FOR SAFETY. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS NECK COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS IN THE EVE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADRESTS WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND CONSTANTLY STRUCK HIM IN THE BACK OF THE NECK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NEW DESIGN FOR SAFETY. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS NECK COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273311

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.