2009 Ford F-250 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Ford F-250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering3237.2%
- Suspension2832.6%
- Engine78.1%
- Other / unspecified67.0%
- Tires & wheels44.7%
- Visibility22.3%
- Fuel system22.3%
- Powertrain (other)22.3%
- Driver assistance22.3%
- Electrical11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving at freeway speeds (typically above 50mph) the vehicle will have extended steering oscillation (violent shaking of the steering wheel) after going over normal expansion joints in the roadway and other roadway bumps. It is impossible to control the vehicle steering when oscillations start. Sometimes the only thing that stops the oscillations is slowing, and leaving the freeway. No warning messages or lamps appear. When brought to dealership for repair, was told to contact manufacturer customer service.
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving at freeway speeds (typically above 50mph) the vehicle will have extended steering oscillation (violent shaking of the steering wheel) after going over normal expansion joints in the roadway and other roadway bumps. It is impossible to control the vehicle steering when oscillations start. Sometimes the only thing that stops the oscillations is slowing, and leaving the freeway. No warning messages or lamps appear. When brought to dealership for repair, was told to contact manufacturer customer service.
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The dealer changed the filters and sensors. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel tank was contaminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,484.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50 MPH OR HIGHER) THE TRUCK EXPERIENCES "DEATH WOBBLE" WHEN IT HITS A SMALL ROUGH PATCH. DURING "DEATH WOBBLE" THE VEHICLE SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY AND WON'T STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE SPEED IS BROUGHT DOWN TO 30 MPH OR LOWER.
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 HIGHWAYS AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: RUGGED TERRAIN, TIRE SIZE: LP 275/70/R18 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD PREMATURELY SEPARATED CAUSING BOTH TIRES TO FAIL AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN TIME. A TIRE REPAIR SHOP DUE TO THE CONTACT INDICATING THAT THE EXTENSIVE NATURE OF THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE FENDER, HEADLIGHTS, AND THE FRONT FRAME INSPECTED THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE THEIR RECOMMENDATION OR SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2009 FORD F-250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIRES ISSUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, AS HE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. A PIECE OF THE TREAD ACTUALLY CAME OFF THE TIRE AND THE REMAINING TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRUCKS FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD AND WHEEL COVER IN ADDITION TO OTHER DAMAGE. ON JULY 5, 2014 A SECOND TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK, AGAIN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING 2009 FORD F-50 SUPER DUTY FX4 ON INSTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, AS I EXITED TO ANOTHER INTERSTATE I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHICH ONLY STOPPED WHEN I BROUGHT THE PICKUP TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND THEY GAVE ME A SHOPPING LIST OF $3300. THIS INCLUDED WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY ALSO DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD NOT HELP. LOOKING INTO THIS ON GOOGLE, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS COMMONLY CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" ON THE INTERNET. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING HAS OCCURRED ONCE MORE TWO WEEKS LATER. I AM PARKING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT I NEED TO DO. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND OTHER MOTORISTS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN SHINED ON THE WINDSHIELD, IT WOULD EMIT A GLARE OF RANGING COLORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The dealer changed the filters and sensors. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel tank was contaminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,484.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - THOUGHT IT WAS BAD SEALING GAS CAP. IT WASN'T. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND THEY ENDED UP REPLACING FUEL CARBON FILTER AT FUEL FILL AREA - SAID IT WAS FOULED WITH GASOLINE. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW IT COULD HAPPEN AND IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS WAS A NO CHARGE, UNDER WARRANTY FIX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A FORD F250 LARIET TRUCK FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA ON 3-11-2012. EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH A WOBBLE WHEN ON TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE HAD THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP ON MANY OCCASIONS AND WERE TOLD WE NEEDED NEW TIRES, ETC. SEVERAL TIMES WE BOTH HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING ON THE FREEWAY WHICH CAUSES US TO SLOW WAY DOWN AND MOVE TO THE SLOW LANE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM VISITS TO THE FORD GARAGE WHERE WE HAVE MENTIONED THE ISSUE AND HAVE HAD PAID FOR ITEMS THAT I DO NOT BELIEVE WE NECESSARY SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS STILL ONGOING. THE ISSUE CONTINUED TO GET WORSE SO WE RECENTLY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DIFFERENT FORD GARAGE ON 7-25-19 WHERE WE WERE TOLD BALL JOINTS WERE WORN, WE NEED A NEW TRACK BAR AND HUB SEALS. THE BILL FOR THIS ALONG WITH A SMOG CHECK CAME TO $2296.16. THE TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT ON THIS ISSUE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS QUICK SIGNIFICANT. I STILL DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE ISSUE IS FIXED AND I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD IS AWARE OF AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT. WE HAVE A 5TH WHEEL THAT WE INTENDED TO PULL WITH THIS TRUCK BUT THE STRESS INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE IS ENOUGH TO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN DO THAT. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET REIMBURSEMENT AND HAVE FORD FIX THIS ISSUE AND GUARANTEE THIS WILL NOT BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM?
THE VEHICLE WILL SPEW WHITE SMOKE AND LOSE ENGINE POWER WHEN UNDER ACCELERATION AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON RAINY OR HUMID DAYS. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW, VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT STATES, BUT THEY ALL TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble
DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, AFTER HITTING ROUGH AREA, FRONT END STARTS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY CAUSING ALMOST LOSS OF CONTROL. TOOK TO FORD DEALER IN LAREDO, TX AND WAS REPAIRED. THIS LASTED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AND PROBLEM AROSE AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING THE INTERSTATE IN MS. TOOK TO LOCAL REPAIR AND HAD KING PIN[?] REPLACED BUT DIDN'T STOP THE PROBLEM. CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE, SHOCKS, WHEEL BEARINGS...RESEARCH HAS PROVEN THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM BUT NO REAL ANSWER. THIS TRUCK IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND COST OVER $50,000. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST UNTIL A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TSB NUMBER: 11-04-22. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 219,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .