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2009 Ford F-350 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Ford F-350 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation or blowout at highway speed.” 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-350.

Reported to NHTSA

Tire tread separation or blowout at highway speed

TIRES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2016-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 275/6518 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE TREAD OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10818682
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, TIRE SIZE LT 285/65/R20 AND DOT NUMBER BE0T02112911. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10599156
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH CAPITOL TIRES CL24757-245/70/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10483881

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

High-pressure fuel pump and engine failure

ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-08 → 2023-04

“The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, there was a winding sound detected. The code P0088 was displayed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11515513
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO EXIT. THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED! I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO ACCESS ROAD. AFTER I WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND RECEIVED DIAGNOSIS, I BEGAN TO PRICE SHOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10881844
“FORD DIESEL ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER/MISS/BACKFIRE/ETC-LATER SHOWN TO HAVE 'BLOWN-UP' ... BASIS OF PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IN THE 'CRANK-AREA' OF THE ENGINE. HAS TO BE REPLACED @ 116,000 MILES WITH A $20,000 PRICETAG. (NOTE: ANY DIESEL SHOULD BE GOOD FOR 250,000--300,000 MILES)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10587472

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front-end death wobble on rough pavement

STEERING, SUSPENSION

20 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2024-11

“When I hit a bump at between 55 and up, the Truck develops a death wobble even after having all the steering components, including ball joints, tie, rod ends, stabilizer, bar, shocks, replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11607069
“WHEN I HIT A ROUGH PATCH IN THE ROAD WITH THE FRONT LEFT SIDE, I GET A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AND ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. CONTROL IS REGAINED WHEN YOU SLOW TO 5-10MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR AWHILE AND HAVE HAD THE FRONT END INSPECTED WITH NO DEFECTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11141818
“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2009 FORD F350 SRW DIESEL CREW CAB. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A STRONG FRONT END VIBRATION; DEATH WOBBLE. WHEN I GO OVER UNEVEN ROADS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512156

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended engine deceleration or acceleration

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2014-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VCT PHASERS BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10586771
“CAME UP TO STOPLIGHT, APPLIED BRAKE, ENGINE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. PUT TRUCK IN PARK, ENGINE CONTINUED AT 4KRPM. PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. 4TH TIME THIS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW. FORD DEALER SAYS CODE DOESN'T SHOW UP AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10492358
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE RADIO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT WORK AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WOULD SWITCH INTO CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10365127

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of braking or brake pedal failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2012-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE BUT THE TIRE WOULD NOT TURN ONCE INSTALLED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10472064
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE SLOWLY WHILE STOPPING. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10419659
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RESISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10330778

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal crash

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2014-03

“CAR PULLED OUT OF SIDE ROAD CROSSING MY PATH. I STRUCK HIS CAR BROADSIDE IN DRIVER DOOR. MY AIR BAG RESTRAINTS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 AT POINT OF IMPACT. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED, BUT MY AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED! *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567704
“I WAS HEADED TO TOWN, TURNED TO AVOID A DEER, WENT OFF ROAD AND COLLIDED INTO A CREEK BANK HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF UPDATED PORTABLE 04/27/11”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10393248

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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-350 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.

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