Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Ford F-150 body problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 27 body complaints filed for the 2009 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Water intrusion is the most consistent complaint. Sunroof drain hoses come kinked from the factory or route improperly, backing water into the cabin through the headliner and onto floors at 19,000–26,000 miles. Third brake light seals fail, and roof gaskets become brittle early, letting rain pool on top and seep into rear corners. Passengers notice water from assist handles and stains spreading across headliners. Ford calls this normal in heavy rain—not a defect—and refuses warranty coverage.
Door latches and handles are unreliable. Latches seize at 90,000–108,000 miles, trapping occupants. Exterior handles require repeated pulls. Doors pop open during rear-end impacts, even minor fender benders. Interior handle fractures were supposedly addressed by recall 11V049000, but dealerships deny the recall applies and charge owners $450 for replacement.
Frame and rocker panel corrosion is premature and severe. Owners report rust completely through frame metal by 70,000 miles despite light use and regular maintenance, requiring $3,000+ structural repair. Door striker plates and rocker panels rust so badly doors won't close securely, creating a safety issue. Rear bumpers detach after low-speed crashes. Paint peels within the first few years, especially around the tailgate and rear window, suggesting poor primer application at the factory.
Same Ford F-150 body reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof drain hose failure and water ingress
Sunroof drain hose kinked at factory or improperly routed, causing water to back up into drip pan and leak into cabin through headliner and door posts. Water enters at driver and passenger side floor areas and assist handles.
When: 19,000 miles (narrative #1); spring 2011 at 26,000 miles (narrative #5)
Symptoms owners cite: Water collecting on driver-side front floor; Water dripping from sunroof through headliner; Water coming from passenger side assist handle; Water stains on headliner, front passenger side and rear cab corners; Wet drip pan; Musty odor in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Drain hose cut to correct length and sunroof adjusted; roof gasket reported as brittle; owners paid out of pocket $210 and declined further repairs due to warranty denial
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford advised extended warranty does not cover; told owner heavy rain causes water ingress in all sunroof vehicles; refused warranty coverage; manufacturer provided no recall or TSB
Rear window and third brake light seal failure
Poor seal around third brake light and rear window gasket allows water ingress during rain into cabin, wetting rear seats and headliner. Water damage to interior.
When: During tropical storm event (narrative #3); mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Water on back seat; Wet headliner with water spots; Water entry during heavy rain
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified bad seal around third brake light; owner responsible for repair costs plus seat cleaning from water damage; repair declined by owner due to cost during ongoing rain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under warranty; owner advised to pay for repairs and water damage remediation
Door latch and handle failure
Door latches seize or break, preventing doors from opening or closing. Interior and exterior handles fracture. Doors pop open or fail to latch during and after impacts. Some door handles do not return to stowed position.
When: Various mileages: 90,000 miles (narrative #11); 108,000 miles (narrative #15); unspecified (narratives #2, #4, #7, #13)
Symptoms owners cite: Door pops open while driving; Door will not close; Door will not unlock or open when parked; Interior handle fractured; Exterior handle difficult to operate or requires multiple pulls; Interior handle does not return to stowed position; Door unlatches during minor rear-end impact; Rear door stuck closed
Repairs/costs cited: Latch assembly replacement ($450 reported in narrative #4); door handle and cable replacement; some repairs declined due to cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V049000 (02/01/2011) issued for interior door handle fracture; recall stated door handle or housing failure would be replaced free; dealerships reportedly did not honor recall; manufacturer notified but stated no remedy for vehicles of that year (narrative #6)
Door striker plate and rocker panel corrosion
Severe corrosion and rust on rocker panels, door frame lower sections, and door striker plates. Corrosion prevents doors from closing securely. Rust deterioration creates structural integrity concerns.
When: 68,000 miles (narrative #17); 75,000 miles (narrative #6); unspecified (narrative #19)
Symptoms owners cite: Rust on bottom corners of rear doors; Severe exterior corrosion on rocker panels; Rust on door striker plate and latching hook; Doors do not close securely; Rust around lower front strip of front and rear doors
Repairs/costs cited: Rocker panel replacement needed; frame metal requiring cutting out and re-welding at lower sections ($3,000 estimated in narrative #9); repairs not completed by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no remedy available for vehicle of that year (narrative #6)
Frame rust and structural deterioration
Premature and severe frame corrosion despite vehicle maintenance and light use. Rust penetrates through to create safety hazard. Frame becomes unsafe to drive.
When: Identified after purchase (narrative #9); 70,000 miles (narrative #24)
Symptoms owners cite: Frame rusted completely through; Hole in frame when attempting panel replacement; Motor rusted and requiring replacement; Excessive rust for age and mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Frame repair estimated at $3,000 plus; motor replacement needed; repairs not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage mentioned; no recall issued
Rear door locking and access failure
Rear passenger doors ('suicide doors' on extended cab) fail to open from interior or exterior despite child lock disengaged. Doors stuck closed, making rear seat inaccessible.
When: 41,000 miles (narrative #22); unspecified (narratives #16)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door refuses to open from inside; Rear door refuses to open from outside; Child seats inaccessible in emergency
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified; repairs not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer contact or response documented
Rear bumper attachment failure
Rear bumper detaches from vehicle structure after low-speed impacts. Bumper fails at attachment points despite minor crash severity.
When: 22,000 miles (narrative #21)
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper detaches after two low-speed rear crashes; Bumper separation from vehicle structure
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner suspects defective manufacturing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Paint failure and peeling
Paint peeling on rear tailgate, sides, and under rear window. Appears to lack primer underneath, suggesting manufacturing defect in paint application.
When: Unspecified mileage (narrative #23)
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling on rear tailgate; Paint peeling on sides; Paint peeling under rear window; Apparent lack of primer coat
Repairs/costs cited: Not yet taken to dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Exterior door handle sticking and poor operability
Exterior door handles require multiple pulls before door opens. Affects both driver and passenger sides. No difference whether vehicle running or not.
When: Long-term issue (narrative #26)
Symptoms owners cite: Exterior handle must be pulled multiple times; Delayed entry into vehicle; Both sides affected
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Windshield post/roof drain water leak
Water leaks at passenger windshield post handle area and possibly from satellite radio antenna mount on roof. Water entry during rain.
When: Unspecified (narrative #27)
Symptoms owners cite: Water leak at passenger windshield post handle; Possible antenna-related water entry
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented
Headrest design and blind spot obstruction
Headrests non-adjustable and force head toward chin when set per manual. Wide headrest design combined with door frame posts creates significant blind spots on both sides of truck, creating visibility safety hazard.
When: Unspecified (narrative #18)
Symptoms owners cite: Headrests uncomfortable and force head forward; Blind spots on both sides of vehicle; Reduced rear and side visibility
Repairs/costs cited: Not applicable; design issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is new safety design
Frame bending at low mileage
Bent frame detected at very low mileage with no prior impact or warning. Rear tire extended 1.5 inches outside normal placement.
When: 3,000 miles (narrative #14)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear passenger side tire extended 1.5 inches outside normal tire placement; Frame bent without prior impact
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed frame bend; no warranty coverage mentioned
Excessive vibration at moderate speeds
Excessive vibration while driving between 40–50 mph. Could not be reproduced during dealer and engineer test drives. Began shortly after purchase at very low mileage.
When: 300 miles after purchase (narrative #12)
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive vibration between 40–50 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated could be related to frame assembly but could not diagnose; not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Field engineer and zone manager unable to reproduce; no repair provided
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Water leak at the passenger windshield post handle. Possibly from the satellite radio antenna on the roof. *tr
In april 2014 I noticed a vast amount of water collecting on the driver's side front floor. There was a leak coming from the sunroof down the headliner and through the post to the floor. I inspected the sunroof and found the drip pan to be wet. I poured a little water through the drain hose and it did not go through. I brought it to Ford for repair and was told that the drain hose was kinked…
While trying to exit the vehicle after parking, the front driver door would not unlock or open. The lock knob and inside handle would not move. The outside handle would not open the door either. The driver had to climb over the center console to exit the vehicle through the passenger door. The vehicle was brought to the dealer where they determined that the door latch was seized. After replacing…
When opening the left rear door from inside while it is stationary, the handle does not return to the stowed position after opening the door unless it is pushed manually. The vehicle was brought to the dealer to investigate this issue in addition to another unrelated issue. The dealer was notified that this issue seems to be exactly what was mentioned in a recall I found involving this model/year…
Had body trouble with your 2009 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2009 Ford F-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 22,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 41,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.