2009 Ford F-150 MPG
Across its 7 EPA-rated versions, the 2009 Ford F-150 returns 14–15 mpg city, 18–21 highway and 15–17 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 4.6-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 17 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 4.6-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 15 mpg combined. That is 1 mpg better than the best gasoline 2008 version (16 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 SFE 2WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Gasoline or E85 · 592 g CO₂/mi |
2009 Ford F-150 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2009 Ford F-150 costs about $3,840 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (17 mpg combined), or roughly 26 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,360 a year, $510 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2009 Ford F-150 specs
2009 Ford F-150 buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 4.6 L 8-cyl and 5.4 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard pickup truck.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd; Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 5 |
| 5.4 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2009 Ford F-150 problems
Owners have filed 324 complaints about the 2009 Ford F-150 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Vehicle speed control is the most-reported area (14% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (12%) and engine (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 18 complaints a year: about as many as the 2008 (19 a year) and fewer than the 2010 (49 a year).
It has the fewest complaints per year on sale of any Ford F-150 model year from 2008 to 2024.
Of the 324, 28 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 11 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 54 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 46 | 12% |
| Engine | 42 | 11% |
| Structure | 34 | 9% |
| Power train | 33 | 8% |
| Steering | 29 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 6% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 14 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 3% |
| Tires | 13 | 3% |
| Air bags | 12 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 3% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 9 | 2% |
| Seats | 9 | 2% |
| Wheels | 7 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | 1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 1% |
| Equipment | 4 | 1% |
| Suspension | 4 | 1% |
| Visibility | 4 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The gas pedal got stuck while I was driving. I couldn't stop it and lost control. It caused a horrific car accident. 10 people were involved and I'm currently fighting the case in court to prove I was not reckless. …
This vehicle has been a lemon ever since we purchased it new. …
The contact's son owned a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while approximately 10 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the glove box and the check engine warning light illuminated. …
2009 Ford F-150 recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2009 Ford F-150.
The most recent, campaign 11V049000 from February 2011, concerns structure.
09V150000 · May 5, 2009 · Exterior lighting
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | F-150 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V049000 | February 1, 2011 | Structure | 2009–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 3 versions of the 2009 Ford F-150, without an overall score.
These ratings use NHTSA's pre-2011 test method, so they can't be compared with stars for 2011 and later models.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supercrew 4-door with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Supercab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Regular Cab with side air bags | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ford F-150s can be compared fairly. Among other 2009 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 (17 mpg) and 2009 Ram 1500 (16 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 | 369 | 19 | 1 |
| 2009 | 17 | 324 | 18 | 2 |
| 2010 | 17 | 843 | 49 | 1 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2,193 | 136 | 6 |
| 2012 | 19 | 1,784 | 118 | 4 |
Every Ford F-150 model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 F-150 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Ford F-150 has 18 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the fewest of its 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns and up to 17 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 F-150 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are vehicle speed control (54), electrical system (46) and engine (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 F-150 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–17 mpg combined (14–15 city, 18–21 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 F-150 per year?
About $3,840 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,360 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).