2009 Ford F-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
324 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
50,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 289 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 324 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 91 | 28.1% |
| Steering behavior | 36 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 28 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 22 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 5.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 52 |
| Electrical System | 42 |
| Engine | 42 |
| Steering | 29 |
| Service Brakes | 25 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 52; Electrical System: 42; Engine: 42; Steering: 29; Service Brakes: 25; Power Train: 23; Structure:Body: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 87 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 55 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 48 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 34 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 26 |
Under 25,000: 87; 25,000 to 49,999: 55; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 34; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 26
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 35 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 34 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2009: 22; 2010: 40; 2011: 23; 2012: 34; 2013: 22; 2014: 32; 2015: 26; 2016: 31; 2017: 26; 2018: 19; 2019: 16; 2020: 9; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 1; 2025: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 91 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 28 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10275949 · 2009-07-07 (July 7, 2009)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10275949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279621 · 2009-08-06 (August 6, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 202 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268827 · 2009-05-15 (May 15, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE CAB, TIRES, AND SEATING AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANC…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292218 · 2009-11-15 (November 15, 2009)
WHILE DRIVING OUR NEW 2009 F150 TRUCK WITH ONLY 3,200 MILES ON IT, I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO IDLE VERY FAST AND WAS LURCHING FORWARD, WHEN I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE THE TRUCK ACCELERATED VERY FAST TO 80 - 90 MPH. I COULD HARDLY SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. I WAS ON A FREEWAY AND CONTINUED TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL WHICH ONLY SLOWED IT DOWN FOR A MOMENT .CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON AND THERE ARE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE TRUCK. I CONTINUED DOWN THE FREEWAY FOR APPROX. 3 MILES WHEN I DECIDED I HAD TO EXIT …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,259 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296802 · 2009-12-23 (December 23, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO FORWARD IT ROLLS BACKWARDS AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES AND WAS GIVEN A LETTER STATING THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. HE ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRAMMED INTO THE COMPUTER SO NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CONSUMER STATED 1ST GEAR WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE AFTER STOPPING AND TRYING TO TAKE OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD REV AS IF THE GEAR WERE IN NEUTRAL. UPDAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386540 · 2011-03-05 (March 5, 2011)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10284656 · 2009-09-20 (September 20, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302318 · 2010-01-26 (January 26, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150 WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2009. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND REPROGRAMMED A SENSOR TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUE THAT EXISTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328796 · 2010-05-04 (May 4, 2010)
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. WIRES LEADING INTO THE FUEL TANK SHORTED CAUGHT BED ON FIRE, BUT WAS EXTINGUISHED IN TIME TO STOP FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10414985 · 2011-07-25 (July 25, 2011)
**CATASTROPHIC FUEL TANK FAILURE** TWO DAYS AGO MY 2009 F150 DIED IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT ACTED AS IF OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOUGH THE GAGE READ OVER HALF A TANK. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS INITIALLY INFORMED THAT THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF GAS AND THE FUEL GAGE WASN'T WORKING. A NEW UNIT WAS ORDERED AND ONCE THE TANK WAS REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ISSUE WAS EXCEEDINGLY MORE SEVERE. THE MECHANIC AND A FORD ENGINEER CONCLUDED THAT THE CHARCOAL PURGE VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL PUMP CREATED SUCH A STRONG VACUUM THAT THE FUEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10414985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336579 · 2010-06-16 (June 16, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT NOTICED WATER POURING IN FROM THE HEADLINE ONTO HER SHOULDER. FIRST GLANCE WE THOUGHT MAYBE THE WINDOW SEAL WAS LEAKING. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND STARTED EXPLAINING THE SITUATION AND BEFORE I COULD COMPLETE MY SENTENCE THEY REPLIED "...OH YES ITS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL, BRING IT IN AND WE'LL REPLACE IT." WOW A KNOWN ISSUE AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN REPLACING THE SEAL I HAD REQUESTED THAT THE HEADLINER BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR MOLD AND ANY RUST THAT M…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340315 · 2010-06-27 (June 27, 2010)
AT AROUND 3500 MILES ON MY 2009 FORD F150 SUPERCREW, I NOTICED A MILDEW SMELL AND CONDENSATION FORMING ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND IT IS DUE TO LIQUID IN THE CAB SOMEWHERE. I PULLED UP EACH KICKPLATE AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE UNDER MY RIGHT REAR CAB KICKPLATE. WATER WAS ACCUMULATING DOWN THERE WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. IT WAS REPLACED. AT 5000, I NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN AND KNEW RIGHT WHERE TO LOOK. I DID AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340315 at NHTSA ↗