VehicleVerdict

2009 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Ford F-250 sits mid-pack among F-250 years: 92 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 146, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 33 reports (36% of the total).

92

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other F-250 years?

F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted1,919 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 3 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 42 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 85 complaints1989: 141 complaints1990: 134 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 149 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 156 complaints1995: 238 complaints1996: 212 complaints1997: 348 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 417 complaints2001: 269 complaints2002: 189 complaints2003: 151 complaints2004: 201 complaints2005: 207 complaints2006: 332 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 255 complaints2009: 92 complaints2010: 109 complaints2011: 384 complaints2012: 423 complaints2013: 153 complaints2014: 236 complaints2015: 426 complaints2016: 427 complaints2017: 1,718 complaints2018: 616 complaints2019: 1,919 complaints2020: 351 complaints2021: 205 complaints2022: 152 complaints
F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering3336%
Suspension2932%
Tires & Wheels1011%
Engine78%
Other44%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Fuel System22%
Electrical System22%
Transmission22%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2009 Ford F-250 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11T002000Tires & WheelsMarch 15, 2011 · 390,657 units

Defect

CONTINENTAL TIRE IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONTITRAC TR TIRES, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S OUTLINE WHITE LETTERS AND BLACK SIDEWALL, AND CONTITRAC, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S, BLACK SIDEWALL, PRODUCED FROM MAY 6, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE BELT EDGES COULD LEAD TO TREAD BELT SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MY TRUCK WILL START TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WILL NOT STOP WITHOUT HARD BRAKING OR AGGRESSIVELY JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL HAZARD AND AM AFRAID TO LET MY FAMILY DRIVE THE TRUCK. I WILL NOT LET MY GRAND CHILDREN RIDE WITH ME IN FEAR OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 27, 2016

“MY TRUCK GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH DEATH WOBBLE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS IT'S WHERE THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE ONLY WAY TO CONTROL IT IS TO CONE TO A COMPLETE STOP WHICH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 17, 2018

“I HAD A LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING COME ON SO I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE TIRE SHOP. THE SHOP FOUND I HAD A CRACKED WHEEL ON THE RIGHT REAR OF MY TRUCK. I KEEP MY TRUCK AND WHEELS CLEAN AND HAVE NEVER PULLED HEAVY LOADS SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE A CRACKED WHEEL. THIS TRUCK IS A DAILY DRIVER ON US…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 26, 2016

“ENGINE FIRE IN MY 2009 F250. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND STARTED TO SEE SMOKE AND WENT TO STOP AND PULL OVER. WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY WERE HARD TO PUSH AND BARELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE BACK TIRE LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED ON THE GRASS, BUT THE FRONT TIRE DID NOTHING EVIDENT. THERE WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 16, 2011 · fire

“Motor gaskets leak oils and cracked and the other one is that when driving the truck it begins to shake aggressively and dangerously to where you can lose control ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 1, 2022

2009 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2009 Ford F-250 reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 92 NHTSA complaints, below the typical F-250 year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (33 complaints), suspension (29 complaints), tires & wheels (10 complaints).

Does the 2009 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.