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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-FORD-F-250 NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Ford

Ford F-250 problems

77 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

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.

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.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
39 reports · fails ~82,936 mi · avg $700
moderate
engine
9 reports · fails ~44,193 mi · avg $3,100
severe
suspension
8 reports · fails ~138,379 mi · avg $900
moderate
tires
6 reports · fails ~7,024 mi · avg $150
moderate
fuel system
3 reports · fails ~59,219 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 F-250's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 F-250?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

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…
12/30/2015 · at 66,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10817038.0 · see steering pattern →
2009 F-250 · suspension
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…
2009 F-250 · fuel system
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…
12/19/2011 · at 21,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10440358.0 · see fuel system pattern →
2009 F-250 · seatbelts Crash
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.…
12/11/2012 · at 30,507 mi · NHTSA ODI #10487968.0
View all 77 owner complaints →
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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11T002000 March 15, 2011

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'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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days 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.
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