Know Your Truck

2022–2026 Ford Maverick common problems and fixes

Ford says not to drive Mavericks covered by its 2026 front ball joint recall until a dealer inspects them. Owners of hybrids most often report losing power while driving, sometimes with a "Stop Safely Now" warning, and dead 12-volt batteries. Other recalls include tail light and turn signal software and an engine fire risk on 2022–2023 hybrids.

What owners should know

Covers 2022–2026 · 2.5L hybrid, 2.0L EcoBoost four · Updated 2026-10-07

The Maverick is a small pickup built on a crossover platform. Most have a 2.5L hybrid with front-wheel drive; the 2.0L EcoBoost with an 8-speed automatic is the other choice, and the only one with all-wheel drive at first.

We counted 1,195 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2022–2026 Mavericks (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 921 from hybrids and 261 from the 2.0L, identified by VIN; the other 13 had no usable VIN. We left out one complaint whose VIN belongs to another vehicle. That's the most of any compact pickup, partly because so many were sold. 2022, the first year, has about half (616). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Ford says not to drive trucks covered by its 2026 front ball joint recall until a dealer has inspected them.
  • Losing power while driving: about 190 complaints.
  • Dead 12-volt batteries or no-starts: about 120 complaints, almost all hybrids.
  • 87 complaints filed under NHTSA's forward collision avoidance category (automatic emergency braking and collision warnings).
  • Many recalls, some redone because the first repair didn't work.

12-volt battery and power loss

About 190 complaints describe losing power while driving, often with a "Stop Safely Now" warning, and about 120 describe a dead 12-volt battery or a truck that won't start (113 of those are hybrids). The warning can have several causes. On MaverickTruckClub, owners link many of these to the small 12-volt battery and its charging software, and report fewer problems after switching to a Group 140R AGM battery. Ford recalled some 2022–2023 trucks for batteries that can suddenly fail (25V019000) and for battery monitoring software (24V267000), and 2022–2024 hybrids for software that could shift into neutral (24V330000).

Recalls to check

  • Engine compartment fire risk after an engine failure on 2022–2023 hybrids (22V484000 and 23V380000)
  • Tail lights that can turn off (24V293000) and turn signals that don't warn of a burned-out bulb (23V848000) on 2022–2024 trucks
  • Front lower ball joints that may have been assembled incorrectly on some 2022–2026 trucks (26V340000, Ford 26S36). Ford says not to drive these trucks until the recall is done. If the VIN is included, ask the dealer to send a mobile technician or tow the truck in; Ford's owner letter says either is free.
  • Trailer lights and brakes on certain 2022–2026 trucks: while towing, the trailer module may lose communication with the truck, so the trailer's lights or brakes can stop working; the fix is a software update from the dealer or over the air (recall 26V104000)

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (15)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2022-2026 Ford Maverick. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Front lower ball joints may separate (do not drive)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Often none before it fails. If a ball joint separates while driving, the front wheel can lose its connection to the control arm and you can lose steering control.

    Fix: Ford's recall 26S36 (NHTSA 26V340000) covers certain 2022–2026 Mavericks, and Ford tells owners of those trucks not to drive them until the recall is done. Check the VIN first. If it's included, call a Ford dealer: Ford's owner letter says the dealer will either send a mobile technician to inspect the truck where it's parked or tow it to the dealership at no cost. Dealers inspect both front lower ball joints and replace the front suspension parts free if they fail the inspection. Don't drive it to the dealer yourself.

    May be covered free by recall 26V340000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Dead 12-volt battery

    Easy DIY

    Signs: The truck won't start or turn on, often after sitting a few days, even though the hybrid battery is fine.

    Fix: Have the 12-volt battery tested and replaced if it's weak; Ford's recalls cover battery failures and battery monitoring software on some 2022–2023 trucks. On MaverickTruckClub, many hybrid owners switch to a Group 140R AGM battery. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 25V019000 / 24V267000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

    Shop: Maverick 12V battery group 140R AGM▶ How-to videos

  • Loses power with "Stop Safely Now" (hybrid)

    Dealer job

    Signs: The truck suddenly loses drive power while driving and shows a "Stop Safely Now" warning.

    Fix: The warning has several possible causes, so have a dealer read the stored fault codes. One cause owners often report is a weak 12-volt battery; hybrid software is another. Ford recalled 2022–2024 hybrids whose software could shift into neutral; ask the dealer to test the 12-volt battery and install all software updates.

    May be covered free by recall 24V330000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Engine compartment fire risk after engine failure (2022–2023 hybrid)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Usually none until the engine fails; oil and fuel vapor can then reach hot parts.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls that modify the under-engine shield and grille shutters and update the engine software on 2022–2023 hybrids. Pull over and shut the engine off if you hear unusual engine noises or see smoke. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 22V484000 / 23V380000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Tail lights or turn signals stop working

    Dealer job

    Signs: One or both tail lights go out, or a burned-out turn signal doesn't make the blinker flash faster to warn you.

    Fix: Covered by Ford software recalls; some trucks were recalled again because the first repair was done incorrectly. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 24V293000 / 23V848000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →