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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
147,042 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

PROBLEM 1: MY TRUCKS TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES ON SNOW AND THROWS THE WHEELS INTO A SLIDE RATHER THAN STABILIZES THE VEHICLE. I TURN SWAY AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON WHENEVER I STOP AND THEN GET BACK IN AND RESTART THE TRUCK. PROBLEM 2: THIS TRUCK WILL NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE READ ON GAS IN THE TANK AS…

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PROBLEM 1: MY TRUCKS TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES ON SNOW AND THROWS THE WHEELS INTO A SLIDE RATHER THAN STABILIZES THE VEHICLE. I TURN SWAY AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND IT TURNS ITSELF BACK ON WHENEVER I STOP AND THEN GET BACK IN AND RESTART THE TRUCK. PROBLEM 2: THIS TRUCK WILL NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE READ ON GAS IN THE TANK AS THE NEEDLE IS ALWAYS GETTING STUCK. I GAUGE BY MILES GONE AS TO WHEN I NEED GAS. (JUST STOPPED TO GET GAS THOUGHT I WAS OUT BUT NEEDLE WENT OVER 1/2 WHICH IS WHAT I PUT IN.) BUT THERE ARE MORE ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS THE DOORS THAT UNLOCK DURING THE NIGHT WHEN I HAVE LOCKED ALL DOORS, BY MORNING ONE OR MORE DOORS OFTEN ON PASSENGER SIDE UNLOCK THEMSELVES. AND SYNC ALWAYS DOES IT'S OWN THING WITH MY IPHONE X, NEVER KNOW IF IT WILL CONNECT OR BE DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT GOES FROM HANDS FREE ANSWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION TO SUDDENLY IN PRIVACY MODE. THESE PROBLEMS ARE WHILE IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. PROBLEM 3: TRUCK SPEEDOMETER IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ DUE TO HASH MARKS FOR SPEED INSTEAD OF NUMBERS AT 20, 40, 60, ETC SPEEDS. NEARLY GOT A TICKET FOR LOOKING DOWN TOO LONG TO READ MY DISPLAY. STARTING TO HATE THIS TRUCK AS I NEVER KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO OR NOT DO. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT IS A CONSISTENT DISTRACTION. SO MUCH FOR SAFETY DUE TO TECHNOLOGY. IF OTHERS HAVE THESE ISSUES WELL IT'S NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE DRIVING SO BADLY NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11317418

130,000 miles · Mar 7, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2009 FORD F150 XLT 4 DOOR. SINCE ENGAGING THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURE TO THE LOCK POSITION, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN EITHER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE SINCE SWITCHED BACK THE UNLOCK POSITION AND BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. PASSENGERS CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND IS A SAFETY …

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I OWN A 2009 FORD F150 XLT 4 DOOR. SINCE ENGAGING THE CHILD SAFETY FEATURE TO THE LOCK POSITION, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN EITHER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE SINCE SWITCHED BACK THE UNLOCK POSITION AND BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. PASSENGERS CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11316754

120,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Wheels

THE RIGHT FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINE DETERIORATED AT THE CRIMPED FITTING. THE DETERIORATION IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE LINE AT THE CRIMP. THE DETERIORATION ACTS LIKE A CHECK VALVE ALLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE BUT NOT RELEASE OF BRAKING PRESSURE. I HAVE VERIFIED THIS ON THREE (3) REPLACEMENTS. THE ORIGINAL LINE WAS REPLACED …

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THE RIGHT FRONT FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINE DETERIORATED AT THE CRIMPED FITTING. THE DETERIORATION IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE LINE AT THE CRIMP. THE DETERIORATION ACTS LIKE A CHECK VALVE ALLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE BUT NOT RELEASE OF BRAKING PRESSURE. I HAVE VERIFIED THIS ON THREE (3) REPLACEMENTS. THE ORIGINAL LINE WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 120K AND NON OEM AT ABOUT 20K.

NHTSA ODI #11302221

68,000 miles · Dec 29, 2019
Service BrakesWheels

I TURNED MY TRUCK ON AFTER IT SAT OVERNIGHT AND THE ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER. TOOK THE TRUCK INTO A LOCAL PART STORE AND HAD A OBD2 READER HOOKED UP AND IT PULLED ABS CONTROL MODULE CODE. I TOOK INTO A AUTO SHOP AND THEY WERE PULL THE CODE AND DECIPHER WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS. THE …

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I TURNED MY TRUCK ON AFTER IT SAT OVERNIGHT AND THE ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH CLUSTER. TOOK THE TRUCK INTO A LOCAL PART STORE AND HAD A OBD2 READER HOOKED UP AND IT PULLED ABS CONTROL MODULE CODE. I TOOK INTO A AUTO SHOP AND THEY WERE PULL THE CODE AND DECIPHER WHAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11291931

82,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Electrical SystemFire

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER. KEPT SMELL A BURNING SMELL AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE. PARKED THE TRUCK AND LOOKED OUTS DE ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAB. OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW SEAT ON FIRE. YOU ASSENGER USED THE SEAT HEATER PRIOR. NO ONE SMOKES IN MY FAMILY SO THERE WAS…

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PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER. KEPT SMELL A BURNING SMELL AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE. PARKED THE TRUCK AND LOOKED OUTS DE ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAB. OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW SEAT ON FIRE. YOU ASSENGER USED THE SEAT HEATER PRIOR. NO ONE SMOKES IN MY FAMILY SO THERE WAS NO OTHER HEAT SOURCE.

NHTSA ODI #11289174

164,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOV 2018, LESS THAN ONE YEAR THAN THE DATE OF THIS CLAIM. ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, STEERING, ACCELERATION CONTROL, FUEL PUMP/INJECTORS, TIMING OF THE RPM, AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHER…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOV 2018, LESS THAN ONE YEAR THAN THE DATE OF THIS CLAIM. ON NINE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, STEERING, ACCELERATION CONTROL, FUEL PUMP/INJECTORS, TIMING OF THE RPM, AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, IMMEDIATELY AND INSTANTANEOUSLY STALLED OUT ON HIGHWAYS AND MAJOR FREEWAYS WITHOUT WARNING, SOME OF WHICH NEARLY LED TO VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS FROM SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND POWER OF THE TRUCK, WITH HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS HAVING EXPERIENCED THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL F-150. IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF THIS, I'VE SPENT OVER $3,500+ IN REPAIRS BETWEEN THE DATE OF PURCHASE TO DATE OF THIS CLAIM TO THE ECM, FUEL PUMP MODULE, FUEL INJECTOR HARNESS, BATTERY, IGNITION SWITCH, MASS FLOW AIR SENSOR, CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, SERPENTINE BELT, AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE, AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I NOW NEED A NEW ENGINE, ANOTHER $5,000 ON TOP OF THE PRESENT $6,784 LIEN CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE. THE PHYSICAL SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS HAS NOT ONLY BEEN PLACED IN JEOPARDY, BUT THIS ISSUE AND VEHICLE HAS PLACED ME IN A SERIOUS, DELINQUENT, AND SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE FINANCIAL POSITION. I CAN'T EVEN GET THE CAR TO RUN NOW, IT WILL NOT DRIVE AFTER THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED OUT 15 DAYS AGO AS I LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON FREEWAY; ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING AND HAD NO OIL PRESSURE. TIMING CHAINS, ROD, MAIN BEARING AND CAMSHAFTS ALL NEED REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT I WON'T BE PLACED IN THE SAME OR SIMILAR POSITION AGAIN IF I WERE TO CORRECT, POSSIBLE BANKRUPTCY IF LEFT UNCORRECTED. FORD WANTS $400 MORE FOR INSPECTION, MAKES NO GUARANTEE ALL ISSUES WILL HE IDENTIFIED AND REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY 5.4L V8 TRITON ENGINE & ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT ARE 'BUILT FORD TOUGH.' PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11271106

170,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Engine

SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6L 2V TRITON ENGINES FROM MY SEARCH RESULTS. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE ISSUE AS THERE IS ONLY A FEW THREADS HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN THE ENGINE HEADS.

NHTSA ODI #11269985

186,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 5 2019, I HEARD A LOUD POP ABOVE MY HEAD. I SLOWLY PUSHED BACK THE SUNROOF VISOR TO GET A LOOK, AND THE GLASS HAD EXPLODED OUTWARD. NOTHING APPEARS TO HAVE STRUCK THE GLASS. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO INSPECT AND TAKE PHOTOS.…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 5 2019, I HEARD A LOUD POP ABOVE MY HEAD. I SLOWLY PUSHED BACK THE SUNROOF VISOR TO GET A LOOK, AND THE GLASS HAD EXPLODED OUTWARD. NOTHING APPEARS TO HAVE STRUCK THE GLASS. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO INSPECT AND TAKE PHOTOS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT I DROVE IT A FEW BLOCKS TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND GOT A SERVICE PERSON TO INSPECT IT AS WELL, AND HE AGREED WITH MY ASSESSMENT OF THE WAY IT BROKE. I GOT A VERBAL ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE GLASS AND THE TRACK.

NHTSA ODI #11269955

172,628 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MACHENS FORD (1911 W WORLEY, COLUMBIA, MO 65203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD TURN IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE MACHENS FORD (1911 W WORLEY, COLUMBIA, MO 65203) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE FUEL PUMP HAD BURNED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,628.

NHTSA ODI #11265445

20,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A PULSATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, A PULSATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KENDALL FORD OF KENAI (10288 KENAI SPUR HWY, KENAI, AK 99611, (866) 387-7984). THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS, AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256429

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.