Ford F-150 2009–2014
12th generation · P415
NHTSA data through 12 August 202612,816 complaints, 9,918 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 104,100 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 206 complaints (2.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,200
- 25%
- 33,000
- Median
- 65,320
- 75%
- 104,100
- 90%
- 148,875
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 735 | 7.4% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 346 | 3.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 329 | 3.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 290 | 2.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 317 | 3.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 262 | 2.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 303 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 368 | 3.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 381 | 3.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 355 | 3.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 403 | 4.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 346 | 3.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 408 | 4.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 395 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 387 | 3.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 312 | 3.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 348 | 3.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 332 | 3.3% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 302 | 3.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 239 | 2.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 290 | 2.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 184 | 1.9% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 203 | 2.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 192 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 200 | 2.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 124 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 174 | 1.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 152 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 157 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 116 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 154 | 1.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 101 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 119 | 1.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 81 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 73 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 49 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 64 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 51 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 45 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 25 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 206 | 2.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 12,816 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2014 Ford F-150, and 9,918 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,000 and 104,100 miles. The median is 65,320 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (26.7% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles), the engine (14.3% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), the electrical system (8.6% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
17 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline92,000median 92,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 135,000
- Engine50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 87,000
- Electrical system66,000median 66,200 miles, middle half 40,000 to 103,000
- Steering72,000median 72,000 miles, middle half 44,000 to 109,000
- Brakes52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 83,000
- Throttle and speed control52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 94,000
- Problems owners could not categorise69,000median 68,721 miles, middle half 41,000 to 100,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 3,418 | 26.7% | 92,000 | 58,000–135,000 |
| Engine | 1,834 | 14.3% | 50,000 | 15,000–87,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,099 | 8.6% | 66,000 | 40,000–103,000 |
| Steering | 1,076 | 8.4% | 72,000 | 44,000–109,000 |
| Brakes | 960 | 7.5% | 52,000 | 32,000–83,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 898 | 7.0% | 52,000 | 15,000–94,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 671 | 5.2% | 69,000 | 41,000–100,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 554 | 4.3% | 60,000 | 38,000–83,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 409 | 3.2% | 60,000 | 30,000–90,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 299 | 2.3% | 49,000 | 31,000–70,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 65,320 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 26.7% of complaints (3,418 reports, 2,430 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,500 and 135,000 miles.
A single system taking 26.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 14.3% of complaints (1,834 reports, 1,565 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 87,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.6% of complaints (1,099 reports, 854 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,200 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,500 and 103,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 8.4% of complaints (1,076 reports, 908 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 44,000 and 109,480 miles.
The brakes account for 7.5% of complaints (960 reports, 717 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 83,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 7.0% of complaints (898 reports, 630 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 94,250 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 3,942 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 400. The median year sits at 2,182.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 17 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (6), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), seats (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 12,816 complaints filed against this generation, 361 reported a crash; 177 reported a fire; 309 reported an injury; 11 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 2.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 33,000 and 104,100 miles, with a median of 65,320. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2011–2014
3.5L EcoBoost intercooler condensation: water collects in the air-to-air intercooler during humid/damp highway driving and is ingested on hard acceleration, causing a stumble/misfire and limp mode. Ford's field fix relocated the intercooler air deflector and later revised the intercooler.
Engine 2011–2014
3.5L EcoBoost timing chain stretch and cam phaser wear producing cold-start rattle and cam correlation codes on higher-mileage first-generation EcoBoost engines.
Brakes 2013–2014
Brake master cylinder internal seal leaks allow fluid to migrate into the brake booster, causing loss of front brake circuit function; addressed by Ford recall action on 3.5L EcoBoost trucks.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 400 | 352 |
| 2010 | 1,136 | 984 |
| 2011 | 2,973 | 2,449 |
| 2012 | 2,440 | 2,012 |
| 2013 | 3,942 | 2,891 |
| 2014 | 1,925 | 1,230 |
Recalls (17)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V378000 | 2026-07-08 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm) |
| 24V444000 | 2024-07-01 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm) |
| 20V332000 | 2020-10-28 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 19V433000 | 2019-06-24 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm) |
| 19V075000 | 2019-03-04 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm) |
| 17V472000 | 2017-10-25 | Seats |
| 16V345000 | 2016-10-28 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid |
| 16V248000 | 2016-09-16 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 14V710000 | 2014-11-25 | Seats |
| 14V709000 | 2014-11-25 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 14V316000 | 2014-07-03 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 12V190000 | 2012-06-11 | Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights |
| 12V198000 | 2012-05-30 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive |
| 11V582000 | 2011-12-22 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 11V128000 | 2011-03-07 | Electrical System:software |
| 11V049000 | 2011-02-10 | Structure:body:door |
| 10V659000 | 2011-01-11 | Structure:body |
What owners reported
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated there the back lighting of the instrument panel could not be manually adjusted. As a result, the contact would have difficulty reading the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was…
2009 · 5 miles · Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side headrests were not adjustable and constantly struck him in the back of the neck. The manufacturer stated that it was a new design for safety. The dealer stated if the contact felt so strongly that the headrest was such a…
2009 · 10 miles · Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. While driving at speeds of 65 MPH, the air bag service light illuminated on the dashboard. The failure was ignored but the vehicle was eventually taken to an authorized Ford dealer. The contact was informed that there were no failure codes obtained from a diagnostic test. The…
2009 · 200 miles · Airbag system
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Ford F-150. The contact recently purchased a brand new vehicle. He stated that the braking system was failing. The brake pedal must be depressed with great force in order to stop the vehicle. The dealer stated that there were no failures with the vehicle. The contact stated that this…
2009 · 202 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 9,918 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page