2009 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a violent steering wobble after bumps, often called death wobble. Other common complaints involve tread or belt separation on tires, steering that suddenly becomes hard or is lost, and sudden engine power loss. Among complaints that give mileage, most fall between about 40,000 and 160,000 miles, and wobble complaints often describe the shaking returning after repairs.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering wobble after bumps, often called death wobble

   • 31 complaints (57%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 7.4 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners describe the steering wheel and front end shaking violently after the front tires hit a bump, pothole, or rough patch, often at highway speeds and sometimes at 30 to 40 mph. The shaking can make steering very difficult, and it often stops only after the truck is slowed or brought to a stop, sometimes after drifting into another lane. According to complaints, dealers checked tire pressure and alignment or replaced parts such as stabilizers, shocks, track bar bushings and ball joints, and the shaking often returned. Complaints that give mileage range from about 22,000 to 248,000 miles, with most between 40,000 and 160,000 miles, and bumps often trigger the shaking.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering wheel oscillation service bulletin was applied, and have the steering stabilizer, track bar and ball joints checked for wear, since complaints often describe the shaking returning after repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I hit a small bump at highway speeds my truck will start to shake violently and will not stop without hard braking or aggressively jerking the steering wheel. I feel this is a real hazard and am afraid to let my family drive the truck. I will not let my grand children ride with me in fear of an accident when the truck decides to shake.”

   NHTSA complaint #10943984, filed 2017-01, 99,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11152390, filed 2018-11, 162,000 miles
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire tread or belt separation while driving

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2020

   Owners describe tread separating from the tire while driving, often at highway speeds near 60 to 70 mph, and in some cases a second tire on the vehicle failed later. Some complaints describe damage to the fender, bumper, running board or wheel well, as well as cracked sidewalls and visible wire belts. A mechanic could not identify the reason for a failure, and an owner says the manufacturer offered no assistance. Few complaints in this group give mileage, and the recorded value, about 7,500 miles, is low compared with the other complaints on this page.

   What to check: Check the tires for uneven wear, sidewall cracks, or bulges, and ask for the tire dates and any replacement history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2009 Ford F-250. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle tires issue. The consumer stated the tread separated from the right front tire, as he was driving 60 MPH. A piece of the tread actually came off the tire and the remaining tread separated from the tire. The tread separation caused damage to the trucks front bumper, passenger side running board and wheel cover in addition to other damage. On july 5, 2014 a second tire tread separated as the consumer was driving 70 MPH and caused significant damage to his truck, again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10626718, filed 2014-08

   “The contact owns a 2009 Ford F-250 equipped with bf goodrich tires, tire line: rugged terrain, tire size: lp 275/70/r18 and the DOT number was not available. The contact stated that the front driver side and passenger side tire tread prematurely separated causing both tires to fail at different points in time. A tire repair shop due to the contact indicating that the extensive nature of the tread separation caused damages to the fender, headlights, and the front frame inspected the tires. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11012364, filed 2017-08
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering gear or power steering suddenly hard or lost

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 64,403 mi at 6.0 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2017

   Owners describe the steering becoming very hard to turn, stuck in a turned direction, or lost entirely while driving. According to complaints, a steering gearbox failure was diagnosed in some cases, and parts were reported on national back order. Owners say the vehicle wandered or swerved, and some pulled over onto the shoulder or came to a stop. Complaints that give mileage place these between about 40,000 and 67,000 miles, and they often occur while turning or starting from a stop.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering gearbox and power steering components have been inspected, and check that the steering returns to center and stays consistent during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got onto highway 45 from 517. While switching lanes, my steering wheel felt like a child's toy. There was no steering whatsoever. I instinctively applied the brake. My truck was weaving from middle lane to the fast lane and finally I was in one lane when I came to a complete stop and placed it in park. At this point I am frantic because traffic is fast approaching. I'm looking for the hazard lights and pumping my brakes so the traffic can see brake lights. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10630788, filed 2014-09, 67,406 miles

   “I am the original owner of a 2009 f250 super duty pu. The vehicle has been well maintained over the 61630 miles I have accumulated. Recently the truck has started experiencing what can only be described as a loss of power steering. This seems to most often occur after starting from a stop, and turning left. The wheels seem to be stuck in the turned direction, and needs to be muscled back into a straight path. This is usually followed by an unusual slight tugging of the wheel in the opposite direction. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11000547, filed 2017-06, 61,200 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Sudden engine power loss while driving

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 94,842 mi at 8.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2024

   Owners describe engine power dropping suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes with white or blue exhaust smoke, and in some cases the engine shut off on the highway. According to complaints, a fuel pump or high-pressure fuel pump was replaced in some cases and the problem recurred afterward. In other cases a computer update was said to be needed, and dealers and technicians could not pinpoint the fault. Mileage ranges widely, from about 5,000 to 220,000 miles, and some complaints describe the problem as present since the vehicle was new.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the service bulletin for intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation was applied, and ask for records of any fuel pump or fuel injection repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle will spew white smoke and lose engine power when under acceleration after extended periods of driving time at highway speeds on rainy or humid days. I have had this problem since it was new, vehicle currently has 120,000 miles on it. I have had this vehicle in to several different Ford dealers in several different states, but they all tell me there is nothing wrong with the truck.”

   NHTSA complaint #10513717, filed 2013-05, 10,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11270406, filed 2019-10, 185,000 miles

Buying note. A prospective buyer may want to check steering behavior on a test drive over a bump, and ask whether the steering oscillation service bulletin was applied. Ask for records of steering, suspension and tire repairs, since complaints often describe repeat repairs with the problem returning.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.