FordE-2502009Overview/ford/e-250/2009/base/
250 platform

2009 Ford E-250

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

Body VANTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2009 Ford E-250 is a full-size commercial van built on the 250 platform, designed for cargo and light commercial transport with a 6.0-quart engine oil capacity using 5W-20 API viscosity for routine service intervals. Fuel efficiency comes in at EPA estimates of 15 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined mpg, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that balances capability with drivability for work-site and delivery applications. With 16 recalls and just 8 total owner complaints—predominantly in the engine category—this model year sits notably well within the E-Series' 1990–2023 complaint history, which ranged from a peak of 28 complaints in 1998 down to a low of just 1 in 1990, placing the 2009 near the model's most reliable period over its three-decade production span.

Model year20172016201520142009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque140-150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/22/18 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
Tire sizeP245-75R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length216.5 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height82.3 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight4645 lb
Track (front / rear)70.1 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140-150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140-150 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.043-0.047 in
Spark Plug Torque10.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
RPM28-45 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.511 in / 1.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10517 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs. step 3: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 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 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 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) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2009 E-250 sits at a notable inflection point in the model's federal record: complaints drop to just two — the lowest of the 2005–2014 generation — while recalls remain elevated at 18, down from the 2006 peak of 30 but still well above the 10–12 range seen by 2012–2013. Technical service bulletins rise to 24 from 16 in 2008, signaling ongoing dealer-level service activity even as owner-reported issues plummet. The preceding years (2005–2008) show a pattern of high recalls (10–30) and TSBs (13–56), suggesting a generation working through systemic campaigns; 2009's recall count of 18 places it in the latter half of that remediation arc. The two recorded complaints span Engine, Service Brakes, Suspension, and Air Bags, with one crash complaint logged, though the data doesn't specify root causes. Compared to 2010–2011, which see complaints rebound to 6–9 and recalls hold at 12–18, 2009 appears quieter on the owner-experience side. For a buyer, this is a relatively clean complaint year within a high-recall generation — verify all 18 campaigns are closed before purchase.

16
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
24
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Engine2
Service Brakes1
Suspension1
Air Bags1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control1
Electrical System1
Structure,Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 13 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V729000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 04/11/2015

MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair… Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts…

14V584000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 23/09/2014

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010… Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 24 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
19B402020-02-21Power TrainIn the affected vehicles, the single-engaging coast one-way clutch (OWC) inside the…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

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

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VIN
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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 E take?

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

Does the 2009 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the E get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.