2009 Ford F-150: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10256097 · 2009-01-23 (January 23, 2009)
GETTING INTO MY TRUCK TO GO TO WORK I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED DOWN THE ROAD .THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN WITH SUCH A FORCE THAT ITHOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF FAILURE AND HAD BEEN WORKING FINE UP UNTIL THAT POINT. I HAVE TO USE MY TRUCK TO GO TO WORK, SO I CONTINUED ON WITH THE TEMPERTURE AT 13 DEGREES AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS AROUND "0".WHILE I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL THAT COLD AIR BLASTED ME IN THE FACE. WAS A 20 MILE RIDE FROM HELLT. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER DRIVE THIS TRUCK OCCASIONALLY AND I COULD …
Owner-reported narrative. 600,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261828 · 2009-03-14 (March 14, 2009)
MY 2009 FORD F-150 HAS THE REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM AND CAMERA AS WELL AS THE SYNC PACKAGE, SO WHEN IN REVERSE THE SCREEN SHOWS THE OBJECTS BEHIND AND HAS PARALLEL LINES "TRUCK WIDTH" & A CENTER BLACK LINE TO JUDGE WHERE THE TRUCK IS "AIMED" IN REVERSE. ON THE ABOVE DATE, ALL THE LINES DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCREEN. THE NEXT DAY THE TWO LINES (1/3 GREEN,1/3 ORANGE, 1/3 RED WERE BACK ON THE SCREEN AS WAS THE BLACK CENTER LINE. THAT EVENING AS I LEFT WORK I CHECKED, NO LINES AGAIN. SAME THING THE NEXT DAY, THEY ARE THERE ONCE OR TWICE IN AM, THEN DI…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261828 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 10273311 · 2009-06-10 (June 10, 2009)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273334 · 2009-06-01 (June 1, 2009)
2009 FORD F150 XLT HAS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HEAD REST. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD REST WERE SO LARGE AND SO WIDE, THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CLEARLY LOOK THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10273334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274082 · 2009-06-17 (June 17, 2009)
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 .
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274082 at NHTSA ↗
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 10276876 · 2009-07-15 (July 15, 2009)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276876 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V150000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2009-05-05 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V049000 · Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 2011-02-01 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗