Common problems
Ford Maverick Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 5 Ford Maverick model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated April 2026
- Owner complaints
- 1,050
- Top recurring issue
- Power Train
- Crash reports
- 32
- Fire reports
- 5
5 model years
4 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
16 injuries · 1 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Ford Maverick problem categories
Power Train
298complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2022.
Electrical System
228complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2022.
Unknown Or Other
88complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2022.
Service Brakes
97complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2022.
Engine
82complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2022.
Air Bags
22complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2022.
Suspension
15complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2023.
Vehicle Speed Control
7complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.
Steering
6complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.
Forward Collision Avoidance
3complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2025.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Ford Maverick model year
POWER TRAIN
Owners report multiple issues with the powertrain of the 2022 Ford Maverick, most notably involving the CV axles and transmission. Complaints frequently mention vibrations or shaking during acceleration, often attributed to defective CV axles, which some owners indicate are on backorder. These issues typically arise between 20,000 and 70,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe the transmission unexpectedly disengaging or failing to shift properly, leading to a loss of power while driving. One injury is reported, and the inability to shift gears or restart the vehicle poses potential safety risks, especially if the vehicle becomes immobilized on roadways.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2022 Ford Maverick frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving battery failures and rear lighting malfunctions. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to start, requiring jump-starts, and premature battery replacements, often occurring between 9,500 and 36,000 miles. Some owners also describe inoperative rear lights, which pose a safety risk due to the lack of brake and turn signal visibility. Additionally, there are reports of electrical component failures such as unresponsive radio head units and rearview camera malfunctions. One incident involved a fire, and another included a crash, highlighting potential safety concerns associated with these electrical issues.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the CV axles in the 2023 Ford Maverick, often noting vibrations and shaking during acceleration, particularly between 40-65 mph. This problem appears to arise around 16,000 to 50,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated failures even after axle replacement. Additionally, several complaints mention sudden power loss while driving, with vehicles unexpectedly shifting into neutral or park, posing potential safety risks due to loss of control at highway speeds. These issues can lead to concerns about driving stability, especially in busy traffic conditions, making it important for potential buyers to consider these patterns when evaluating the vehicle.
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2022 Ford Maverick frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, particularly at low speeds. Common symptoms include brakes grabbing or locking up unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, often accompanied by a loud noise. These problems are often noted from the time of delivery or within the first few thousand miles. Some complaints also describe premature wear of rear brakes and rotors, with difficulties in performing basic maintenance tasks like changing brake pads. Safety implications include the risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden stops, and two complaints involve crashes. These issues are often unresolved even after multiple dealer visits, leaving potential buyers to consider the unpredictability of the braking system.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Ford Maverick frequently report issues with the 12-volt battery, including parasitic drain and the vehicle entering "Deep Sleep" mode, which often requires jump-starting. Symptoms include the battery not recharging properly, frequent battery saver alerts, and certain vehicle functions being disabled. These issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some owners experiencing problems shortly after purchase. Safety implications are present, with two complaints involving crashes and one injury reported. Additionally, some reports mention problems with the vehicle's interface module and other electrical components, such as the display and rearview camera, which may complicate usage.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ENGINE
Owners of the 2022 Ford Maverick frequently report engine stalling and loss of power while driving, often accompanied by dashboard warning lights such as "Service Engine Soon" and "Powertrain System Failure." These issues typically occur at various mileages, with some incidents reported as early as 200 miles and others at 50,000 miles. A notable safety concern includes one report of an engine fire, and several accounts describe vehicles entering limp mode, which limits acceleration and can create hazardous situations in traffic. Additionally, some owners experience persistent burning odors in the cabin, which have been linked to headaches and nausea. These patterns suggest potential reliability issues that prospective buyers should consider, especially regarding engine performance and safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several issues with the 2024 Ford Maverick's power train, most notably involving the front CV axles and transmission. Complaints frequently mention vibrations and wobbling during acceleration, often attributed to CV axle failures, with symptoms appearing around 20,000 to 50,000 miles. Additionally, some owners describe unexpected power loss or the vehicle shifting into neutral while driving, occasionally accompanied by warning lights or error codes related to the powertrain control system. Safety implications include incidents of vehicles shutting down on highways or losing acceleration, posing potential risks in traffic. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be cautious of these recurring issues, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2024 Ford Maverick frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly related to the 12-volt battery not maintaining a charge. Common symptoms include the vehicle entering "deep sleep" or "battery saver" modes, resulting in the inability to start the vehicle, unlock doors, or have functional interior lights. These issues often arise within months of purchase and can leave owners stranded, as reported in several complaints. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the reverse camera freezing even after recall repairs, and one incident involved a crash due to brake failure. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, especially when electrical failures coincide with critical systems like brakes and cameras.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Ford Maverick
When problems are reported to begin
- Transmission hesitation — 0–700 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Power steering failure — 1,200–4,800 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 2,000–14,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- CV axle failures — 3,500–50,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- 12V battery issues — 1,000–20,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Brake system failures — 470–12,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- CV axle failures — 5,000–50,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Throttle body failures — 40,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Test brakes at low speeds for failure
- Check for power steering functionality
- Inspect for water leaks in passenger cabin
- Verify rearview camera operation
- Test adaptive cruise control for unintended acceleration
- Check for electrical system warnings on dashboard
- Inspect windshield for stress cracks
- Inspect CV axles for leaks or damage
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Ford Maverick data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ford Maverick research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Ford Maverick research FAQ
What is the most common Ford Maverick problem?
Power Train is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 4 years with 298 complaints represented.
Which Ford Maverick year has the most reported problems?
The 2022 has the largest power train count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ford Maverick has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ford Maverick you are considering.
