Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-FORD-F-250NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2009 Ford F-250 problems
The 2009 Ford F-250 has 77 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Ford F-250 has 77 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 39 complaints, typically surfacing around 82,936 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 F-250?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Ford F-250? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,936 mi · ~$700 to fix
engine — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,193 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
suspension — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 138,379 mi · ~$900 to fix
tires — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 7,024 mi · ~$150 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 44,193 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 F-250· steering
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…
Was driving on the highway when my truck started shaking violently, had to pull over and check what was wrong, but no did not see anything wrong. Took it to the Ford dealership near me. Was told the tires were my problem had them replaced but the shaking continues. Ford does not…
While driving with fuel level between 1/8 and 1/4 tank, truck shut down completely. The "50 miles to empty" indicator had illuminated approx. 2 miles before failure. Had truck towed to dealer and was forced to pay approx. $250 for diagnostic and tow. Dealer coordinated with…
The Ford f250 was turning left on a two way undivided highway. It was struck in the driver's side by a passing semi-truck/trailer. The collision was just behind the driver's seat and back toward the box of the pick-up. It spun the pick-up into the ditch where it rolled once.…
Had a problem with your 2009 Ford F-250?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
Separation of the belt edges could lead to tread belt separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Ford F-250 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ford F-250 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Ford F-250?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Ford F-250 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Ford F-250?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 39 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,936 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Ford F-250 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 77 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 82,936 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Ford F-250?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 39 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,936 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 82,936 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-250 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Ford F-250?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 77 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/F-250.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
