I'm not sure how you approached it with your friend, but this certainly isn't the sort of thing where you need to ask them directly if they gave you a bad refer

I'm not sure how you approached it with your friend, but this certainly isn't the sort of thing where you need to ask them directly if they gave you a bad reference. No one is going to respond well to that. I would just bring up that you had the interview with the recruiter, but weren't able to move forward in the process. If they're indeed a friend--or anyone you're close to professionally--they'll probably ask why, and that point you tell them what you've told us, and just see how they react. If they don't ask why or have any interest in caring why you didn't get the position, that might be a red flag.