NHTSA vehicle safety data
2009 Ford F-150 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2009 Ford F-150 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 324 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Ford F-150, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2009 Ford F-150 owner complaints
Owners have filed 324 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Ford F-150, describing incidents dated September 9, 2008 to January 3, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Vehicle Speed Control 54 complaints
- Engine 51 complaints
- Electrical System 46 complaints
- Service Brakes 39 complaints
- Structure 34 complaints
- Power Train 33 complaints
Of the 324 complaints on file, 28 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 324 complaints, owners report 21 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11749202 · Filed
This vehicle has been a lemon ever since we purchased it new. To start the 3rd brake light would always leak during rain and ruined the headliner took it back to andy mohr ford were we purchased approx 25 times for this issue. Then we have had oil leaks about a year after purchase and it still…
ODI #11709147 · Filed
The contact's son owned a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while approximately 10 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the glove box and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact steered the vehicle to the side of the road, and he observed a small fire by the accelerator…
ODI #11703324 · Filed
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. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed down; however…
Owner-reported
2009 Ford F-150 mileage at failure
287 of the 324 complaints on file for the 2009 Ford F-150 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | Median 30,000 miles | Middle half 13,000–70,000 miles | Based on 50 complaints |
| Engine | Median 85,000 miles | Middle half 60,000–150,000 miles | Based on 47 complaints |
| Electrical System | Median 65,000 miles | Middle half 35,000–140,000 miles | Based on 38 complaints |
| Service Brakes | Median 60,000 miles | Middle half 20,000–110,000 miles | Based on 35 complaints |
| Structure | Median 35,000 miles | Middle half 14,000–75,000 miles | Based on 30 complaints |
| Power Train | Median 35,000 miles | Middle half 8,000–75,000 miles | Based on 30 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING FAILURE
NHTSA #11V049000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice
Reported February 1, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 280,946 vehicles
Ford campaign 11S15 · Owners notified February 10, 2011 · Vehicles built January 18, 2008 – November 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL USAGE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE DOOR HANDLE SPRING CAN FAIL CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE INITIALLY NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IF ANY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS LOOSE OR FAILS TO RETURN TO THE STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTIVATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AFFECT MODULE. ONCE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF EACH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION, THE DEALER WILL EITHER ADD A SPRING EMBOSSMENT REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Notes
FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S15.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH ADJUSTMENT/FMVSS 108
NHTSA #09V150000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice
Reported May 5, 2009 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 8,735 vehicles
Ford campaign 09C07 · Owners notified May 13, 2009 · Vehicles built March 19, 2009 – April 7, 2009 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
FORD IS RECALLING 8,735 MY 2009 F-150 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOP LAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOP LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.
Safety consequence
DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOP LAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND HAVE THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH REMOVED AND REINSTALLED WHICH WILL PROVIDE PROPER ADJUSTMENT. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332 OR THROUGH THE INTERNET AT WWW.OWNERCONNECTION.COM.
Notes
FORD RECALL NO. 09C07.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other Ford F-150 model years
Check your 2009 Ford F-150 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-150 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Ford VIN