← New search

2009 Ford F-150

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Ford F-150 are lower than the model-year median of 676.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

289 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports8 fire reports11 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2016
Exterior Lighting

3RD BRAKE LIGHT LAMP LEAKS AND HAS FOR THE LAST 3- 4 MONTHS. WATER LEAKS AROUND THE LIGHT AND DRIPS DOWN THE CEILING OF THE CAB DOWN BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK INTO THE CARPET OF MY TRUCK. IT GOING TO USE IT TO START TO SMELL AND MOLD. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME HE HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF THESE LAMPS AN…

Read full complaint

3RD BRAKE LIGHT LAMP LEAKS AND HAS FOR THE LAST 3- 4 MONTHS. WATER LEAKS AROUND THE LIGHT AND DRIPS DOWN THE CEILING OF THE CAB DOWN BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK INTO THE CARPET OF MY TRUCK. IT GOING TO USE IT TO START TO SMELL AND MOLD. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP THEY TOLD ME HE HAS REPLACED HUNDREDS OF THESE LAMPS AND THE NEW FORD PART NEVER LEAKS WHILE HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THE AFTER MARKET ONES ALWAYS LEAK. FORD SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THESE AT THEIR EXPENSE, AS THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE A GASKET DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI #10892774

78,000 miles · Mar 3, 2016
Exterior LightingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER LEAKED INTO THE HEADLINER OF THE VEHICLE. A STRONG MILDEW ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER LEAKED INTO THE HEADLINER OF THE VEHICLE. A STRONG MILDEW ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 09/05/2017*JS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10839624

40,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR WAS DAMP AND THERE WAS AN ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND COLLECTING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT CARPETS. THE DEALER RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR WAS DAMP AND THERE WAS AN ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND COLLECTING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT CARPETS. THE DEALER REMOVED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND REPLACED THE SEAL AND LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V049000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REOCCURRED TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR LATCH SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE FUEL CAP FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR ALL FAILURES WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701687

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT "ALL CARS" THAT COME EQUIPPED WITH THESE NEW STYLE BRIGHT WHITE / BLUE HEADLIGHT BULBS. AND THE ENTIRE SECONDARY MARKET WHERE PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE THESE LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THEIR EXISTING HEADLIGHT BULBS. THE PROBLEM IS THE AT NIGHT THEY ARE DO [XXX] BRIGHT, I CAN'T TELL IF THEY ARE ON LOW OR HIGH BEA…

Read full complaint

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT "ALL CARS" THAT COME EQUIPPED WITH THESE NEW STYLE BRIGHT WHITE / BLUE HEADLIGHT BULBS. AND THE ENTIRE SECONDARY MARKET WHERE PEOPLE CAN PURCHASE THESE LIGHT BULBS TO REPLACE THEIR EXISTING HEADLIGHT BULBS. THE PROBLEM IS THE AT NIGHT THEY ARE DO [XXX] BRIGHT, I CAN'T TELL IF THEY ARE ON LOW OR HIGH BEAMS, I'M CONSTANTLY FLASHING MY HIGH BEAMS TO THESE CARS. THIS PAST WEEK ONE WAS SO BRIGHT THAT I COULDN'T SEE AND ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD..... THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN "OFF THEM MARKET", OR AT LEAST LIMIT THE BRIGHTNESS OR HAVE A STANDARD BRIGHTNESS (A MAXIMUM THAT HAS BEEN TESTED ON REAL PEOPLE AT NIGHT). THEY HAVE CAUSED OR TRIGGERED ME TO HAVE AN OCULAR MIGRAINE IN MY LEFT EYE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT, SOME PEOPLE WHEN THEY HAVE OCULAR MIGRAINES TRIGGERED FROM BRIGHT LIGHTS HAVE THE MIGRAINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEY EYE AND CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING. I'M TELLING YOU SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. IF IT HAS HAPPENED ALREADY, NO ONE PROBABLY KNOWS WHY THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED, BECAUSE NO ONE IS ASKING THE QUESTION ABOUT THESE DANGEROUS HEADLAMPS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AGE IS OF CONCERN AS WELL, THE OLDER YOU GET YOUR EYES BECOME MORE SENSITIVE TO THESE BRIGHT WHITE AND BLUE LIGHTS, IN MY MIND THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562751

55,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT A PREOWNED 2009 FORD F-150 IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 49000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAD ALWAYS COMPLAINED THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE. I FINALLY INVESTIGATED AND REALIZED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT ILLUMINATED UNDER DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS. IT IS ONLY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PARKING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS AR…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A PREOWNED 2009 FORD F-150 IN NOVEMBER 2011 WITH 49000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAD ALWAYS COMPLAINED THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE. I FINALLY INVESTIGATED AND REALIZED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT ILLUMINATED UNDER DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS. IT IS ONLY ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PARKING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET ILLUMINATION DURING DAYLIGHT IS TO COVER THE LIGHT SENSOR THUS SIMULATING DARKNESS. THIS,HOWEVER, ONLY ILLUMINATES THE GAUGES AT THE LOWER SETTING FOR NIGHTTIME DRIVING. THE DIMMER KNOB/WHEEL IS OPERATIONAL BUT DOES NOT INCREASE ILLUMINATION TO THE LEVEL EXPECTED FOR DAYLIGHT DRIVING. THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER LIKE COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITES. THE DEALER TECH WAS HELPFUL, BUT UPON CHECKING WITH FORD, WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. I FIND THAT TO BE LUDICROUS. FOR INSTANCE, TODAY, ON A SUNNY MORNING, WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE EAST AT 10:00 AM IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE GAUGES! HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524142

40,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOUL ODOR DEVELOPED IN VEHICLE, CONSISTENT WITH MOLD AND MILDEW. ENTIRE CARPET PAD FOUND TO BE WET. INSPECTION AT DEALER REVEALED LEAKING THIRD TAIL LIGHT. DEALER NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CLEARLY THIS SITUATION IS A PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD DUE TO THE RESULTING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD FROM MOLD GROWTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511764

65,000 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED WET SPOTS ON THE HEADLINER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE COMPANY WAS AWARE OF A BAD GASKET IN THE TAIL LIGHT THAT WOULD CAUSE WATER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10460823

38,000 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GASKET IN THE TAIL LIGHT WAS LOOSE, CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CARPET AND THE MIDDLE ARM REST IN THE REAR O…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GASKET IN THE TAIL LIGHT WAS LOOSE, CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CARPET AND THE MIDDLE ARM REST IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CONTAINED MILDEW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10455904

20,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SMART JUNCT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SMART JUNCTION BOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMART BOX NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONTAIN ALL OF THE FEATURES THAT WERE INCLUDED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 3/25/11 *CN UPDATED 04/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10382814

3,500 miles · Jun 27, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

AT AROUND 3500 MILES ON MY 2009 FORD F150 SUPERCREW, I NOTICED A MILDEW SMELL AND CONDENSATION FORMING ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND IT IS DUE TO LIQUID IN THE CAB SOMEWHERE. I PULLED UP EACH KICKPLATE AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE UNDER MY RIGHT REAR CAB KICKPLATE. WATER WAS ACCUMULATING DOWN THERE WI…

Read full complaint

AT AROUND 3500 MILES ON MY 2009 FORD F150 SUPERCREW, I NOTICED A MILDEW SMELL AND CONDENSATION FORMING ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDOWS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND IT IS DUE TO LIQUID IN THE CAB SOMEWHERE. I PULLED UP EACH KICKPLATE AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE UNDER MY RIGHT REAR CAB KICKPLATE. WATER WAS ACCUMULATING DOWN THERE WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. IT WAS REPLACED. AT 5000, I NOTICED THE SMELL AGAIN AND KNEW RIGHT WHERE TO LOOK. I DID AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SAME THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ONLY THEY SAID THIS ONE HAD A STRONGER SEAL. I JUST HIT 6500 MILES AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM AND SMELL, AND POPPED THE KICKPLATE AND HAD THE WATER AGAIN. I AM FIXING TO CALL THE DEALER ON MONDAY TO LET THEM KNOW. AFTER LOOKING IN MY CAB I NOTICED A SPOT OF DRIED WATER RESIDUE ON MY HEADLINER. I AM GOING TO POINT THIS OUT TO THEM AND LET THEM KNOW SOMETHING IS NOT SEALING CORRECTLY WHICH COULD VERY WELL COMPROMISE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH ALL THE WIRES DOWN UNDER THE KICKPLATE WHERE THE WATER ACCUMULATES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340315

Official recalls

2

11V049000 · Structure:body:door

Feb 1, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE DOOR HANDLE SPRING CAN FAIL CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN.

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.

09V150000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

May 5, 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 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DELAY OR LOSS OF BRAKE STOP LAMP FUNCTION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.