2009 Ford F-150 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Ford F-150 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Door handle and latch failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Ford F-150.

Reported to NHTSA

Door handle and latch failure

STRUCTURE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2022-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935567
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABLE THAT RELEASED THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683905
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935571

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion through third brake light

EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2026-07

“3RD BRAKE LIGHT LAMP LEAKS AND HAS FOR THE LAST 3- 4 MONTHS. WATER LEAKS AROUND THE LIGHT AND DRIPS DOWN THE CEILING OF THE CAB DOWN BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK INTO THE CARPET OF MY TRUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10892774
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER LEAKED INTO THE HEADLINER OF THE VEHICLE. A STRONG MILDEW ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839624
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR WAS DAMP AND THERE WAS AN ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10701687

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exhaust manifold stud and bolt failure

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2017-05

“FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS INSTALLED DEFECTIVE FASTENERS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS OF NUMEROUS MODULAR V8 (4.6L & 5.4L) EQUIPPED F-150S. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE AMONG SEVERAL F-150 OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE US AND CANADA FOR MANY MODEL YEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10824124
“EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK DUE TO BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO HEAD BOLTS. ON COLD START THERE IS A MODERATELY LOUD EXHAUST LEAK THAT DIMINISHES AS THE ENGINE HEATS UP. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED WHEN FIRST NOTICED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10808309
“CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD 2009 FORD F150 5.4 TRITON V8. I HAVE NOW CRACKED THE SECOND RIGHT SIDE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS IRRITATING AS EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER CAB WHEN STOPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981719

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal sticking causing unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

32 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2021-09

“The gas pedal got stuck while I was driving. I couldn't stop it and lost control. It caused a horrific car accident. 10 people were involved and I'm currently fighting the case in court to prove I was not reckless”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11432816
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, IT REVVED UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN ENCLOSED TRAILER ON JULY 5, 2017”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048607
“ON NOW 4 OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD AN ACCELERATOR STUCK IN WIDE OPEN CONDITION. ON 3 OF THEM, IT INVOLVED PASSING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND ON THE LATEST (10/22/16), IT HAPPENED ON A HARD ACCELERATION IN CITY CONDITIONS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM SLOW TO FASTER SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10918853

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS control module failure and brake warning lights

SERVICE BRAKES

13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2025-12

“AT APPROXIMATELY 86000 MILES MY ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH REVEALED A FAILED ABS MODULE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11153589
“ABS & TCS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, WHEN DIAGNOSED IT READS A CODE B1342 FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE TRIED DESPERATELY TO FIND A REPLACEMENT ALL THE DEALERS SEEM TO HAVE THEM ON BACK ORDER WHIT NO SHIP DATE KNOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11056160
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. Additionally, the ABS and TPMS warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11703324

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump fuse failure causing engine stall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2022-08

“VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET. ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT FIRE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALER AT COST OF $90. WAS ADVISED BY DEALER SERVICE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FUSE 27 MELTED AND DAMAGED THE FUSE BOX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11351627
“DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND QUIT RUNNING. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SEMI TRUCK AND ONLY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD ROOM TO GO TO THE RIGHT AND THE SEMI HAD ROOM TO SWERVE AROUND ME ON THE LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11208286
“MY VEHICLE SIMPLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, TWICE. AFTER A SMALL COOL DOWN PERIOD, THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN AND SEEMED FINE TILL A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11034581

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine shake and stall linked to camshaft phasers

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2024-04

“MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IT, THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING SEVERELY AND WOULD NOT POWER THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND GET IT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10881912
“WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT SPEED BELOW 5 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND CHATTER. THE SOUND AND VIBRATION WENT AWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 5 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM REPEATEDLY. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CAM PHASER, AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10764230
“The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine rattled. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11585397

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-04 → 2019-10

“SPARK PLUG EJECTION. ON 4/24/16, #3 CYLINDER EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG, RECOMMENDED REPAIR WAS TO USE/INSTALL HELI-COIL. 7/1/16, #3 CYLINDER EJECTED THE SPARK PLUG AGAIN, THIS TIME DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10882816
“SPARK PLUG BLOWS OUT OF HEADS AT 80774 MILES PRIOR TO FIRST TUNE UP INTERVAL. COULD OF CAUSED A ENGINE FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10971490
“SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. COMMON PROBLEM WITH 4.6L 2V TRITON ENGINES FROM MY SEARCH RESULTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269985

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

227 crashes 1990–2024

How the 227 occupant deaths break down

184

driver deaths

42

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

227

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

28

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Ford F-150 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.