Most common 2009 Ford F-250 problems
Share of the 54 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-250 complaints by model year
Best F-250 years: 2010, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011, 2006. Compare all years →
What 2009 Ford F-250 owners say
Steering all 32 →
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.
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. …
Suspension all 28 →
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.
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?
Wheels & tires
I was driving on the highway, hit a bump and the front tires started to hop, increasing in intensity the entire time. The experience was very scary, and I felt like I was going to loose control of the vehicle. I had to pull over on the side of the highway, very carefully, since I had hardly no control of the vehicle at this point. Since the first incident I have noticed the hopping of the front tires every time I hit a little bump in the highway or a pothole. It tends to happen at speeds on the highway and is less frequent traveling on local roads at a slower pace. The only way to make the tires stop from hopping is to either gradually pull off the road, or jerk the wheel in one direction or the other violently. Either way I do not consider it safe.
I had a low tire pressure warning come on so I took my truck to the tire shop. The shop found I had a cracked wheel on the right rear of my truck. I keep my truck and wheels clean and have never pulled heavy loads so I do not understand why I have a cracked wheel. This truck is a daily driver on us highways and has never been off road.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford F-250 a good car?
Based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 F-250 rates better than average: 68% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-250 at the same age. It is one of the best F-250 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ford F-250?
The steering — 32 complaints, 59% of all complaints for this model year, most often about gear box (other than rack and pinion). Next are the suspension (28) and wheels & tires (10).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford F-250 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Ford F-250. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011 and 2006. See the full Ford F-250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Ford F-250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.