FordF-5502009Overview/ford/f-550/2009/base/
550 platform

2009 Ford F-550

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 F.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Ford F-550 is a heavy-duty truck built on Ford's 550 platform, specified with an automatic four-speed transmission, EPA fuel-economy ratings of 14/19/16 mpg, and an engine oil capacity of 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API. Reliability records for this model year show 324 owner complaints and three recalls, with vehicle speed control ranking as the most frequently reported concern. Within the broader 2007-2020 F-550 complaint record, that reporting volume makes the 2009 model a year researchers should scrutinize closely, particularly around speed-control and recall documentation.

Model year2025202420232009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4085 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2009 F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V87.90 sec16.20 sec310 hp4X4
2009F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.10 sec16.20 sec320 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.50 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4
2010F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.70 sec15.30 sec411 hp4x4
2007F-150 FX4 SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V88.80 sec16.70 sec300 hp4x4
2011F-150 FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2011F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec365 hpRWD
2011F-150 Harley-Davidson 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.30 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 10W-30 · 0W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity15.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)4-7
RPM4-7 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle295 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
150 ft. lbs., step 2: 9050 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 694 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1step 2: 8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.31.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 130 ft. lbs., Step 3: 170110 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2007 the F‑550 recorded zero complaints and one recall; the 2009 model year shows the same figure with zero complaints and one recall, matching the 2010 year as well. Beginning in 2011 complaints rise to 12 and recalls increase to five, marking a clear uptick in federal activity. This elevated level of complaints and recalls continues through the subsequent years, with peaks in 2011‑2012 and again from 2016‑2020, indicating a trend of higher issue reporting after 2010. Consequently, the 2009 model sits at the low end of the complaint/recall arc, similar to the surrounding 2007 and 2010 years. Given the absence of complaints and only a single recall in 2009, it represents a comparatively favorable year to purchase a used F‑550.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
58
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
324
Owner complaints
28 involved a crash · 8 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 324 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control38
Engine29
Power Train26
Structure23
Electrical System23
Steering22
Air Bags11
Service Brakes11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V049000Structure:Body:DoorReported 01/02/2011

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… 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…

09V150000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 05/05/2009

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 58 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
TSB 22-22192022-06-21Power TrainSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 F take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.