2023 Ford Maverick Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 262 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 21 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2023 Ford Maverick receives a 3.3/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 262 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 21 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports with a median failure point at 20,000 miles (IQR: 17,000 – 26,725 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $1,400 – $3,800 .
58.2 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
21 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“When throttling or under load, significant vibration of the car. Possibly CV axle problem.”
“During acceleration from 40-60 miles per hour, there was a pronounced vibration/shudder through the front end of the vehicle. After taking it to the dealership, they advised both front axles would need to be replaced. The catastrophic failure of an axle is likely to cause a ca...”
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started shaking, prompting the contact to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was pulled over, and a squealing, clicking, and grinding sound star...”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“During acceleration from 40-60 miles per hour, there was a pronounced vibration/shudder through the front end of the vehicle. After taking it to the dealership, they advised both front axles would need to be replaced. The catastrophic failure of an axle is likely to cause a ca...”
“The throttle body component of the vehicle failed at approximately 40,000 miles. While this is an engine component that experiences normal wear and tear, throttle body valves fail anywhere between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. I have owned previous vehicles, each crossing the 100,...”
“While driving on the highway at normal speed in normal conditions, I suddenly lost ABS, traction control, downhill assist, hold assist, AdvanceTrac, Cruise control, and a severe reduction of power. The engine went into limp mode and would not rev past 3k RPM. This made driving...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“infotainment center and modules related to the front-facing display have malfunctions 5x since 9/2024 and have been in the shop 5 times for the same issue, 4 downloads and updates, 3 recalls, and 2 battery and a front-facing module replacement in the last 15 months of issue st...”
“My 2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid experienced repeated 12V battery discharge and “Deep Sleep” events associated with Recall 24C01 and SSM 53801. The vehicle repeatedly discharged the 12V battery while parked under normal conditions. In January 2026, after approximately two weeks pa...”
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake lights and turn signals failed to function as intended. In addition, the message “Brake Light Failure” was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake lights and turn signals failed to function as intended. In addition, the message “Brake Light Failure” was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an...”
“While driving on the highway at normal speed in normal conditions, I suddenly lost ABS, traction control, downhill assist, hold assist, AdvanceTrac, Cruise control, and a severe reduction of power. The engine went into limp mode and would not rev past 3k RPM. This made driving...”
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes made a loud screeching sound and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated....”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“During acceleration from 40-60 miles per hour, there was a pronounced vibration/shudder through the front end of the vehicle. After taking it to the dealership, they advised both front axles would need to be replaced. The catastrophic failure of an axle is likely to cause a ca...”
“The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started shaking, prompting the contact to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was pulled over, and a squealing, clicking, and grinding sound star...”
“The vehicle was at the dealer for a loud noise on the hinge area of the driver side door. I was contacted by the dealer and told That the door has cracked spot welds and needs to be replaced. The dealer contacted Ford and for opening offered to pay for a portion of the repair ...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“The seat belt system is faulted and is showing the airbag light is on, when started it shows a red question mark on the drivers seat. Also shows a rear seat fault.”
“The contact owned a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle driving at approximately 20 MPH crashed into the front passenger side. The vehicle came to a stop at a ditch after the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated. The ...”
“On ... at approx. 9:30PM I was traveling on ... in Garland, TX, at 70mph when my vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power, with speed immediately dropping to about 35-40mph. Cluster showed prompts saying 1) cannot use selected gear at this speed (light under "D" was flashing...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“2023 Ford Maverick 2.0L engine current mileage 5300 Noticed oil leak on top of engine valve cover. Ford Mechanic stated there are (3) current service related engine leak issues with Maverick. (1) Plastic valve cover cracked (2) Turbo Oil leak (3) Timing Cover Leak. Mechanic st...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (21)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Maverick vehicles. A missing electrical circuit may cause the trailer taillights to not illuminate as intended when utilizing the vehicle trailer tow electrical connector. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
ENGINE
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:BULBS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. In the event that one of the rear turn signals stops working, the vehicle will not adjust the turn signal flash rate frequency to warn the driver that a turn signal is not working correctly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Maverick Hybrid vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster may not properly illuminate warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 102, "Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 105, 108, and 208.
TIRES
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Maverick and Bronco Sport vehicles. The tires may have been manufactured incorrectly, which may result in a loss of vehicle handling and control.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) may inadvertently deactivate one or both rear tail lights.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Maverick, Ford Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Ford Maverick vehicles equipped with Connected Touch Radios (CTR). The rearview camera image may freeze when the vehicle is in reverse.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles. The 12-volt battery may experience degradation and suddenly fail.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-848. In the event that one of the rear turn signals stops working, the vehicle will not adjust the turn signal flash rate frequency to warn the driver that a turn signal has failed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-293. The body control module (BCM) may inadvertently deactivate one or both rear tail lights.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Maverick Hybrid vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-140. The instrument panel cluster may not properly illuminate warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 102, "Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" as well as FMVSS numbers 105, 108, and 208.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
ENGINE
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuckle.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2023 Ford Maverick
Before purchasing a used 2023 Ford Maverick, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 21 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2023 Ford Maverick
Is the 2023 Ford Maverick a reliable used car?
The 2023 Ford Maverick earns a 3.3/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 262 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2023 Ford Maverick?
The leading complaint category is Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports, with a median failure point around 20,000 miles (IQR: 17,000 – 26,725 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2023 Ford Maverick?
Yes, the NHTSA records 21 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.