Total Complaints
92 filings
FORD F-250 · model year
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.
Total Complaints
92 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 32 |
| SUSPENSION | 27 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
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
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
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
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.
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.
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think itâs called a death wobble
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think itâs called a death wobble
Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think itâs called a death wobble
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
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
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?
Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.
Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.
Vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds. Suspected "death wobble."
Vehicle shakes violently at highway speeds. Suspected "death wobble."
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
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
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
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
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
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
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.