FORD F-250 · model year

2009 FORD F-250

92 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009FORDF-250 carries 92 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 F-250 is steering with 32 filings, followed by suspension (27) and wheels (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2009 F-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

92
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

92 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING32
SUSPENSION27
WHEELS6
ENGINE5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
TIRES3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
POWER TRAIN2
VISIBILITY1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1

Recalls (1)

11T00200015/03/2011

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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 SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SO

Recent Complaints

20240904ENGINE

The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The dealer changed the filters and sensors. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel tank was contaminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,484.

Mileage: 128,484

20240904FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The dealer changed the filters and sensors. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel tank was contaminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 128,484.

Mileage: 128,484

20240709SUSPENSION

While driving at freeway speeds (typically above 50mph) the vehicle will have extended steering oscillation (violent shaking of the steering wheel) after going over normal expansion joints in the roadway and other roadway bumps. It is impossible to control the vehicle steering when oscillations start. Sometimes the only thing that stops the oscillations is slowing, and leaving the freeway. No warning messages or lamps appear. When brought to dealership for repair, was told to contact manufacturer customer service.

20240709STEERING

While driving at freeway speeds (typically above 50mph) the vehicle will have extended steering oscillation (violent shaking of the steering wheel) after going over normal expansion joints in the roadway and other roadway bumps. It is impossible to control the vehicle steering when oscillations start. Sometimes the only thing that stops the oscillations is slowing, and leaving the freeway. No warning messages or lamps appear. When brought to dealership for repair, was told to contact manufacturer customer service.

20230205SUSPENSION

Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble

20230205VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble

20230205STEERING

Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it’s called a death wobble

20220904ENGINE

Motor gaskets leak oils and cracked and the other one is that when driving the truck it begins to shake aggressively and dangerously to where you can lose control

20220904UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Motor gaskets leak oils and cracked and the other one is that when driving the truck it begins to shake aggressively and dangerously to where you can lose control

20211229SUSPENSION

Was driving on the highway when my truck started shaking violently, had to pull over and check what was wrong, but no did not see anything wrong. Took it to the Ford dealership near me. Was told the tires were my problem had them replaced but the shaking continues. Ford does not have an explanation for me. What are my options?

20211029STEERING

Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.

20211029SUSPENSION

Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.

20210902UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds. Suspected "death wobble."

20210902SUSPENSION

Vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds. Suspected "death wobble."

20210101UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN PUTTING FUEL INTO THE CAR, IT WAS CUT OFF AS IF IT IS FULL, AND NOWHERE NEAR BEING A FULL TANK.

Mileage: 55,000

20200722STEERING

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND MY 2009 F250 STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS LIKE I HAD BLOWN ALL 4 TIRES OR THE SUSPENSION HAD FALLEN APART. I WAS TALKING TO MY SISTER ON THE CAR SPEAKER WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE COULD EVEN HEAR THE SHAKING AND STARTED YELLING TO MAKE SURE I HAD NOT WRECKED MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE, ALL TIRES IN TACT, SUSPENSION STILL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND ALSO ONCE ON A PACKED INTERSTATE. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" BUT WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ME $120 TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY SCARY BUT ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I CHECKED GOOGLE AND SEE LAWSUITS AND FORD ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE REPAIRS AND SAVE MY RECEIPTS! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS! THAT IS TOO BIG OF A VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS KIND

Mileage: 156,000

20200722SUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AND MY 2009 F250 STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WAS LIKE I HAD BLOWN ALL 4 TIRES OR THE SUSPENSION HAD FALLEN APART. I WAS TALKING TO MY SISTER ON THE CAR SPEAKER WHEN IT HAPPENED AND SHE COULD EVEN HEAR THE SHAKING AND STARTED YELLING TO MAKE SURE I HAD NOT WRECKED MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT AND EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE, ALL TIRES IN TACT, SUSPENSION STILL ON THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND ALSO ONCE ON A PACKED INTERSTATE. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WAS KNOWN AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" BUT WOULD NEED TO CHARGE ME $120 TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY SCARY BUT ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I CHECKED GOOGLE AND SEE LAWSUITS AND FORD ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT NO RECALLS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE REPAIRS AND SAVE MY RECEIPTS! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS! THAT IS TOO BIG OF A VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS KIND

Mileage: 156,000

20200630STEERING

WHEN DRIVING SPEED BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH, THE STEERING STARTS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH. HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER. ROAD IS A 4 LANE STRAIGHT STREET. HAS HAPPENED TWICE. TRUCK AS 43,000 MILES. TAKING TO A MECHANIC TODAY FOR ASSISTANCE IN DIAGNOSES. LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. HAVING THE STABILIZERS CHECKED. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

20200211STEERING

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EPISODE OF DEATH WOBBLE. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT END SUSPENSION REBUILT TWICE AND HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM RETURN, MECHANICS SAY ITS THE WORSE THEY HAVE EVER SEEN. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BODY MOUNTS BECAUSE THEY WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIOLENT WOBBLE. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MILES AN HOUR AND ONLY STOPS WHEN SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE

Mileage: 160,000

20200211SUSPENSION

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EPISODE OF DEATH WOBBLE. I HAVE HAD THE FRONT END SUSPENSION REBUILT TWICE AND HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM RETURN, MECHANICS SAY ITS THE WORSE THEY HAVE EVER SEEN. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BODY MOUNTS BECAUSE THEY WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIOLENT WOBBLE. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MILES AN HOUR AND ONLY STOPS WHEN SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE

Mileage: 160,000

Compare 2009FORDF-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 FORD F-250 have?
The 2009 FORD F-250 has 92 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 FORD F-250?
Yes, the 2009 FORD F-250 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is TIRES:TREAD/BELT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 FORD F-250?
The most-complained component for the 2009 FORD F-250 is STEERING with 32 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and WHEELS.
Is the 2009 FORD F-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.