2009 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ford F-150, most often about brakes. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
33
Recalls
1
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
12
Median mileage
128,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 8 of 33 complaints (24%).
  • Brakes (8) and electrical system (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 128,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 2 fires and 12 injuries.
  • The 2009 Ford F-150 has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 17th of 22 Ford F-150 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 23% fewer complaints than the 2008 model year (43).

2009 Ford F-150 problems by category

  • Engine · 1 crash
    8 complaints
  • Brakes
    8 complaints
  • Electrical System
    7 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    3 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine8
Electrical system6
Service brakes5
Structure:body3
Air bags3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Power train3
Unknown or other3

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k260k–100k9100k–150k7150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2009 Ford F-150 complaints that list mileage.

2009 Ford F-150 recalls (1)

  • Recall 11V049000Feb 1, 2011280,946 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Recent 2009 Ford F-150 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 8, 2026INBody & StructureElectrical SystemEngine
    This vehicle has been a lemon ever since we purchased it new. To start the 3rd brake light would always leak during rain and ruined the headliner took it back to andy mohr ford were we purchased approx 25 times for this issue. Then we have had oil leaks about a year after purchase and it still leaks. Third the fender wells are rusting. And also all the lights on the dash are lit because the computer board failed. To date the truck only has 147k miles. This truck has been a…
    NHTSA complaint #11749202 · source
  2. Filed Jan 6, 2026201,000 miMNFireTowedEngine
    The contact's son owned a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while approximately 10 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the glove box and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road, and he observed a small fire by the accelerator pedal. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that flames erupted from the engine compartment when the hood was opened, and he called 911. The fire…
    NHTSA complaint #11709147 · source
  3. Filed Dec 5, 2025129,000 miTXBrakesWheels & Tires
    The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. Additionally, the ABS and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed down; however, the brake pedal needed to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone and O’Reilly’s where it was diagnosed with a failed ABS module.…
    NHTSA complaint #11703324 · source
  4. Filed Jun 20, 2025183,000 miSCTowedBrakes
    The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated while 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for towing assistance to tow the vehicle to the residence. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with an ABS module failure. The contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11668110 · source
  5. Filed Jun 6, 2025VABrakesEngine
    My pickup truck at only 23 thousand miles in the engine, it's module went bad and brake and ABS lights came on on the dashboard. I took the car to the dealer and they said that I have to replace it and they are charging me 5,400 dollars. They said that some 2009 F150 module were bad from factory, but there's not recalls for it to be fixed by them.
    NHTSA complaint #11665339 · source
  6. Filed Jun 3, 202560,000 miTXBrakesEngine
    The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds and making sharp turns, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and depressed the brake pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while making sharp turns and while coming to a stop at traffic lights. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11664536 · source
  7. Filed May 23, 2025FLAirbags
    My airbag warning light came on. The dealer found 2 codes and replaced the parts. When they were done another code came up for weight sensor which is the seat frame. I was told that the part has been discontinued. I have searched for an aftermarket part with no luck. I purchased a used seat but it was not compatible I have a16 year old truck. The service life is as I understand it is 14-20 years. I don’t understand how the manufacturer can stop making safety parts while the…
    NHTSA complaint #11662825 · source
  8. Filed Apr 26, 2024115,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine rattled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was…
    NHTSA complaint #11585397 · source

Compare the 2009 Ford F-150 with another vehicle →

Other 2009 Ford models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology