The Lemon Index2009 Ford F-150.
The 2009 Ford F-150 is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 157 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 47, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 15 to 17 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 451 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford F-150 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 19K to 98K miles on the car (394 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 45K–115K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 58K–146K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 13K–70K miles
Recalls 3
- tires 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 S…
- body structure 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2009.
- lights 2009
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 67 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is a rattle noise when driving 25-30 mph from the transmission when under load
- There is a noise coming from the front hub integrated wheel end (iwe) areas and when shifted…
- Lincoln/mercury/ford: there is fluid leaking around the transmission bulkhead connector sleeve
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle vibrates at highway speed seems to come from right rear. Have taken it to three dealers they could not fix problem. Dealer stated all 2009 f-150s do the same. Replaced tires but still has same problem.
2009 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 10445855
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford F-150 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 47; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2009 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (17%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford F-150 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Ford F-150 get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 19,900 and 98,000 miles. The middle report was at 54,000 miles, from 394 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford F-150 have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works