Ford Maverick years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Ford Maverick years

The first generation of the Ford Maverick - every model year currently on the used market - spans 2022 to present, meaning the worst and best years both sit within that single generation, separated mainly by how many early production bugs Ford had fixed by the time each model year rolled out.

CarComplaints rates the 2023 Ford Maverick as the worst model year, ranked on factors such as repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. That is a repair-cost and mileage-at-failure ranking - CarComplaints's PainRank method - and it is a different metric from raw complaint volume. On raw NHTSA complaint volume, there are 27 recalls and 572 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Ford Maverick, making 2022 the higher-volume year at NHTSA. We also cross-referenced RepairPal reliability data and Consumer Reports owner-survey results, and drew on owner discussions at the Maverick Truck Club forum. Our editorial guidelines and research methodology set out the full criteria we apply when weighting complaint data against recall severity and owner-reported repair costs.

Every Ford Maverick model year ranked

The 2022 model year is the single weakest pick of the generation, carrying the highest raw complaint count and the most recalls; 2024 and 2025 mark a clear turning point in reliability.

Most common Ford Maverick problems

The single biggest recurring failure across the first-generation Maverick is powertrain trouble - spanning the hybrid system, transmission, and battery-control software - and it accounts for more owner complaints than any other category.

Hybrid powertrain faults and engine compartment fire risk

The 2.5L Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine at the heart of the base Maverick has been the focal point of the generation's most serious safety issue. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and/or fuel vapor can leak and accumulate under the hood; isolated engine manufacturing defects cause engine block or oil pan breaches, and the fluid dynamics created by the under-engine shield and active grille shutter system increase the likelihood of that vapor accumulating near ignition sources such as the exhaust.

The expanded recall affects 2020-2023 Ford Escape and 2022-2023 Ford Maverick models equipped with 2.5-liter inline-4 engines as part of a hybrid powertrain. Ford issued the initial recall as NHTSA campaign 22V-484, (Ford internal number 22S47) covering 2022 Maverick Hybrids, and the campaign was later expanded to cover 2022-2023 models - confirmed on the Ford 22S47 recall page. Three NHTSA campaigns have been issued for this engine compartment concern - in July 2022, May 2023, and June 2025 - with the June 2025 campaign covering cars that were previously repaired incorrectly under the prior two.

Because this recall has been re-issued multiple times, confirming remedy status on any used 2022-2023 Hybrid is the single most important pre-purchase step. Dealer repair is free. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the latest campaign has been performed.

Transmission and drivetrain failures

The most common Ford Maverick problems across all model years, based on NHTSA owner complaint data, are powertrain (298 complaints), electrical system (229 complaints), and service brakes (114 complaints). A significant share of those powertrain complaints involve transmission behavior on both the hybrid eCVT and the 2.0L EcoBoost's 8-speed automatic (8F35).

On the hybrid side, Ford recalled certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid vehicles because the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software could cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power. On the EcoBoost side, owners on the Maverick Truck Club forum have reported complete transmission failure, with sudden failure occurring at highway mileage and dealers quoting approximately $9,000 to replace the unit. Transmission hesitation has also been reported primarily in EcoBoost models during low-speed acceleration, though software updates and adjustments have improved the issue in many cases.

If you're buying a used Ford 2.0 EcoBoost Maverick with higher mileage, get the transmission fluid inspected before purchase - some owners and technicians believe the OEM "lifetime fluid" designation leads to skipped service that accelerates wear.

Electrical system and 12-volt battery control failures

In certain Maverick models, the body and powertrain control modules are unable to accurately detect changes in the 12-volt battery's charge state. The body and powertrain control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge; an undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

The electrical system and powertrain are the definitive weak spots on earlier Maverick models, and from common issues all the way to the recalls issued by Ford, the majority of those problems were rooted in faulty electrical systems. Multiple software-update recalls have been issued to address battery monitoring on 2022 and 2023 models. A low transmission fluid symptom check combined with a battery-state diagnostic at a dealer is a smart pre-purchase move on any early-generation Maverick.

Rearview camera freeze

On 2022-2024 Mavericks equipped with the base Connected Touch Radio, a memory leak in the radio's software can cause the rear-view camera image to freeze while the truck is in reverse, displaying a stale or false representation of what is behind the truck. Ford recalled more than 144,000 2022-2024 Ford Maverick pickups because the rearview camera image can freeze when the vehicle is in reverse, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers update the Connected Touch Radio software free of charge under recall 24S59.

This is a straightforward software fix, but many used examples still have it open. Put the truck in reverse before signing anything and watch for a frozen or delayed camera image - if you see it, confirm the recall has not yet been performed and get it done at handoff.

Brake system anomalies (brake lights and low-speed grab)

Faults in the anti-lock braking system may trigger the brake lights to turn on unexpectedly, even when the brake pedal has not been pressed, creating confusion for other drivers and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. A separate issue documented early in the 2022 model year involved brakes grabbing harshly during light braking at or below about 6 mph - logged in a Ford Special Service Message for the Hybrid and addressed via a dealer software update.

The most commonly reported problem areas for the 2022 Maverick are powertrain (155 complaints), electrical system (135 complaints), and service brakes (77 complaints) at NHTSA. The brake-lights-on fault was the subject of recall 22C24. On any 2022 you're considering, confirm 22C24 has been completed and do a pre-purchase walk-around at night to verify no brake lights are illuminated at rest.

Interior fit, finish, and roof trim

The most-reported specific complaint on CarComplaints.com for the Ford Maverick is the 2023 model's roof trim piece falling off. Some owners of base trims have noted panel gaps, rattles, or lower-quality plastics, though these are mostly cosmetic concerns rather than mechanical failures. These issues are irritating rather than safety-critical, but they do point to build-quality compromises that are more common on early-run Mavericks than on later production cars.

Which Ford Maverick years should you avoid?

The Ford Maverick years to avoid are 2022 and 2023.

CarComplaints rates the 2023 Ford Maverick as the worst model year on repair cost and average mileage at failure. On raw NHTSA complaint volume, the 2022 is heavier: 27 recalls and 572 owner complaints, including 12 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints.

Worst Ford Maverick years: 2022, 2023

First-generation Ford Maverick (2022-2023)

The first-generation Ford Maverick launched for 2022 on Ford's C2 platform and has accumulated 1,050 NHTSA complaints across four model years and an extraordinary 33 separate recall campaigns, working out to roughly 262 complaints per year against a compact-truck segment median near 50 complaints per year.

There are 27 recalls and 572 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Ford Maverick, making it the highest-volume year at NHTSA. The 2022 model is also where the hybrid engine fire-risk recall (22V-484, / Ford 22S47) first appeared, and where the side-curtain airbag recall (NHTSA campaign 22V-594, Ford number 22C20) was issued, covering 64,974 vehicles whose side-curtain airbags may not deploy properly and may not meet FMVSS 226 ejection mitigation requirements. Dealers replace the left and right side-curtain airbag modules with a new design, free of charge, under that recall.

There are 20 recalls and 308 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Ford Maverick. The most commonly reported problem areas are powertrain (107 complaints), electrical system (59 complaints), and unknown or other (26 complaints). The 2023 is the year CarComplaints flags as worst on its PainRank, meaning problems tend to arrive at lower mileage and cost more to fix when they do. You can review the NHTSA complaints page for the Ford Maverick for a full breakdown.

What are the best Ford Maverick years to buy?

The best Ford Maverick years to buy are 2024 and 2025, both of which show significantly lower recall counts and complaint volumes than the 2022 and 2023 models.

Most reliable Ford Maverick years: 2024, 2025

2024 Ford Maverick

There are 14 recalls and 139 owner complaints on file for the 2024 Ford Maverick; severity signals include 7 crash-related complaints, and the most commonly reported problem areas are powertrain (32 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), and unknown or other (18 complaints). That is a sharp drop from the 2022's 572 complaints, and it reflects Ford's steady software-fix cadence closing out the early bugs.

The 2024 and 2025 Ford Maverick models appear to be stronger choices based on early feedback and the expectation that Ford addressed some earlier quality concerns. The 2024 is now a couple of years old and will often be found in budget ranges comparable to older Mavericks with far worse complaint histories.

2025 Ford Maverick

The 2025 Ford Maverick is the highest-scoring model year among those currently on the market, with a reliability score of 77/100 ("Good"), 6 recalls, and 31 owner complaints. The facelifted Maverick since 2025 represents the years with the fewest reliability issues. If your budget can stretch to a 2025, it is the most defensible choice in the generation's used market right now. The pros and cons of hybrid cars are worth factoring in: the Maverick's standard hybrid system is a relatively simple non-plug-in setup, which keeps battery service costs lower than full plug-in alternatives.

Ford Maverick pre-purchase checklist

Before buying any used Ford Maverick, run through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The 2022-2023 models carry up to 27 and 20 recalls respectively - confirm every one has been completed before signing.
• On 2022-2023 Hybrid models, verify the engine compartment fire recall (original campaign 22V-484, / Ford 22S47 and its subsequent expansions through June 2025) has been properly remedied. Ask for dealer paperwork showing the under-engine shield and active grille shutter modification has been done.
• Confirm the HPCM neutral-shift recall is closed on any 2022-2024 Hybrid. The recall (covered under campaign 24V-330 and its February 2025 re-do) addresses the hybrid unexpectedly shifting to neutral and losing drive power.
• Test the rearview camera in reverse before purchase on any 2022-2024 model. A frozen or stale image is the symptom of the software defect covered by recall 24S59 - if it's present, confirm the Connected Touch Radio software update has not yet been performed and request it before taking delivery.
• Check for brake lights on at rest on 2022 models. Illuminated brake lights with the pedal up indicate recall 22C24 may be outstanding.
• Ask for full transmission service records on EcoBoost AWD models with over 40,000 miles. Owners and forum members on the Maverick Truck Club report that transmission fluid degradation accelerates wear; confirm it has been changed.
• Inspect the roof trim and interior panels on 2023 models, where the roof trim falling off is the most-reported single defect on CarComplaints.

Better alternatives to consider

If the Ford Maverick years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Ford Ranger - a larger Ford pickup with a longer production history and a better-documented year-by-year reliability record for used buyers
• Ford F-150 - more truck than most compact-pickup shoppers need, but the used market is deep and year-specific reliability data is far more mature
• Hyundai Santa Cruz - the Maverick's closest same-class unibody rival, with a similarly sized bed and a shorter recall history in early production years
• Toyota Tacoma - a compact/mid-size truck benchmark for long-term durability, with a well-established used-market track record across multiple generations