2023 Ford Maverick Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Electrical system and visibility issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on August 25th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones | Reviewer: Sergei Lemberg

The 2023 Ford Maverick is a compact truck with five-passenger seating. It is the smallest truck in the Ford lineup. Sharing a front-wheel-based unibody with the Bronco Sport and Ford Escape, the truck comes with a hybrid engine or turbocharged motor. There’s also available all-wheel drive.

The Maverick first arrived in 2022, with nearly 90,000 models sold by the end of that year. It had higher sales figures than the slightly larger Ford Ranger. Yet, it sold at a far slower rate than the very popular Ford F-150 trucks.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2022

Most Common Problems

The 2023 Ford Maverick looks great, with a sporty appeal. With the smaller size, it may not be designed for the larger jobs, but it’s created for the truck enthusiasts that don’t need a larger bed and capability. Yet, many owners are getting more than they bargained for with complaints about the electrical system, visibility, service brakes and seats.

2023 Ford Maverick Complaint Summary

Problems with the Electrical System

• Dead truck battery: Owners are complaining about the truck battery dying prematurely. It’s unclear if the problem is caused by a defective battery or if there’s a parasitic drain that’s causing trouble.
• Hybrid malfunctions: Drivers of the hybrid model complain that it’s unreliable. With consistent issues requiring a technician, the truck could spend more time in the shop than on the road. Few issues are being repaired, even though the malfunctions cause the engine to shake and rattle.
• Delayed stop/start feature: The stop/start feature is meant to save fuel and not put people at risk of an accident. Yet, on the Maverick trucks, it doesn’t seem to activate quickly enough, causing a lag when drivers should be pulling out.
• Frozen electronics: The monitors can freeze up and the stereo stops producing sound. While it does reset once the truck is restarted, it can stay frozen indefinitely while running.
• Wiring harness malfunction: There’s a recall involving the trailer taillights because there’s a missing electrical circuit. It turns out that the trailer taillights aren’t illuminating and the dealership needs to add a new wiring harness for them to work. Without this visibility, a crash could easily occur.

Visibility Issues

• Pitted windshield: Owners are complaining about a pitted windshield. This design causes trouble cleaning the glass. Plus, the sun shining into the pitting leads to increased refraction.
• Groaning windshield: Some drivers have found that the windshield groans when driving on uneven roads. When confronting Ford, the owners have been told that these are normal sounds.
• Rattling windshield: Others find the windshield rattles into the dash. In severe cases, the windshield cracks from the vibration.

Brake Problems

• Grabby brakes: The brakes can get grabby, especially when driving at slower speeds and trying to brake. This occurs most frequently when the roads are slippery, creating unpredictable stopping power. Because of the speeds, owners are struggling with this most often in parking lots, going through drive-thrus and in stop-and-go traffic.
• Jerky braking: Drivers find the brakes jerky right before they bring the truck to a complete stop. While Ford has released TSBs on the problem, there’s yet to be a complete fix.

Seat Complaints

• Folding seats: Rear seats may fold while braking, which could be dangerous for someone sitting in them. The problem seems to stem from a defective latch that’s meant to hold the seat in place.
• Cramped seats: Tall people are having trouble getting comfortable in the Maverick. It seems that people over six feet tall may have trouble with their heads hitting the top, even when the seat is down as low as it can go.

2023 Maverick Recalls

There are currently two recalls for the 2023 Ford Maverick. The first recall, issued on March 10, 2023, identified by NHTSA Campaign ID 23V160000, highlights concerns related to exterior lighting, specifically targeting inoperative trailer taillights.

Another recall was initiated on May 26, 2023, carries the NHTSA Campaign Number 23V380000 and involves the 2022 and 2023 Maverick. The main concern is the possibility of engine failure leading to the accumulation of engine oil and fuel vapor within the engine compartment. This accumulation, in proximity to ignition sources increases the risk of an engine compartment fire. Owners are advised to promptly park and shut off the engine if they notice unusual engine noises, a drop in vehicle power, or the presence of smoke.

What Should You Do If Your 2023 Ford Maverick is a Lemon?

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the professionals work out your lemon at no cost to you. The law makes Ford pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

Call the Lemberg Law Helpline or fill in our contact form and we will assess your 2023 Ford Maverick problems free of charge.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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