2009 Ford F-250: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2024
“Driving and suddenly the entire vehicle will start to shake until slow or near complete stop. I think it's called a death wobble”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2023
“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”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“Death Wobble. Hit a dip in the road steering wheel and whole truck Shakes out of control until you slow WAY down or stop.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2021
“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”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2020
“While in motion, this vehicle has had violent shaking at highway speeds 60-70mph and at low speeds of 30-40mph. The steering wheel violently shakes from side to side along with the entire truck shaking violently. It nearly caused an accident twice while traveling on the highway with very light load in the bed (approximately 110lbs). This has been coined the "death wobble" from other f-250 owners that have experienced this issues as well. It seems that hitting a bump causes issues within the suspension and steering.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
“My truck going highway speeds has had numerous issues with death wobble. If you don't know what that is it's where the truck starts shaking violently and the only way to control it is to cone to a complete stop which in the middle of the highway is very dangerous. This has happened many times with me and my family in the truck.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2018
“While driving down the highway, the truck shut off and wouldn't come back on. Had to drift into a parking lot to have it towed home. After months and several mechanics later, changing out different fuel parts, engine components, batteries, etc. We found out it was the high pressure fuel injection pump. The pump "exploded" for lack of better word, inside and sent metal shavings throughout the fuel rail and engine itself. We spent 12,000 to put a used motor and all new fuel components. It took us a year to save up because we had to make a payment on a vehicle that couldn't be used.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“When driving at highway speeds (50 mph or higher) the truck experiences "death wobble" when it hits a small rough patch. During "death wobble" the vehicle shakes uncontrollably and won't stop until the vehicle speed is brought down to 30 mph or lower.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2017
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2017
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.
Remedy: CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford F-250 reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2009 Ford F-250. The most complained-about area is steering (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford F-250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,703 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Ford F-250 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning tires:tread/belt. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.