FORD: SOME TRUCKS WITH 6.4L ENGINE WILL RUN ROUGH, SMOKES, OR NO START DUE TO GASOLINE OR ALCOHOL IN THE FUEL. GASOLINE/ALCOHOL LACK THE LUBRICITY OF DIESEL FUEL AND WILL CAUSE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Ford F-250 fuel system problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 3 fuel system complaints filed for the 2009 Ford F-250, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 16 model years of Ford F-250 we track for fuel system problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 fuel system 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.
FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VEHICLES FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS CAN PREMATURELY WEAR. AS A RESULT, FUEL MAY LEAK INTO CRANKCASE CAUSING OIL LEVEL TO RISE. HIGH OIL LEVELS CAN CAUSE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 12/08/09. CSC LETTER WAS REC'D.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 Ford corporate and determined I drove truck until fuel was empty. Approx. 4 weeks later, truck shut down again. Dealer…
Had fuel system trouble with your 2009 Ford F-250?
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 fuel system problem on the 2009 Ford F-250?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 59,219 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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-250.
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.