2023 Ford Maverick

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

The 2023 Ford Maverick has 1 recall campaign marked do-not-drive. Transmission and drivetrain draws the most owner complaints, 133 of 347 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Combined fuel economy ranges from 21 to 37 mpg on gasoline, with a 5-year fuel cost of $8,780 to $15,470 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 4 overall stars. Its 22 recall campaigns may apply, affecting suspension, electrical system, lights, and others.

Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.

Fuel economy
21–37 mpgcombined; city 20–40, highway 24–33; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$8,780–$15,470U.S. average; Ohio $7,840–$13,820 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
4 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
22over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
347filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2023 Maverick. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 347 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Maverick. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power train133000
Electrical system98201
Engine84100
Unknown or other50200
Forward collision avoidance35100
Service brakes35101
Vehicle speed control32000
Suspension19000
Fuel/propulsion system18000
Back over prevention15200
Structure13000
Steering12101
15 more parts
Exterior lighting10000
Visibility/wiper9000
Lane departure5000
Visibility5000
Wheels5000
Air bags4201
Seats4101
Tires4000
Service brakes, hydraulic3101
Seat belts2000
Engine and engine cooling1000
Equipment1000
Firerelated1111
Latches/locks/linkages1000
Trailer hitches1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 2022617
  2. 2023347
  3. 2024177
  4. 202550
  5. 202616

Every Maverick year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for the 2023 Maverick over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Suspension: front

NHTSA campaign 26V340000 · reported May 27, 2026 · 4,653 vehicles potentially affected

Do not drive until repaired

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.

Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 29, 2026.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control; Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 26V104000 · reported Feb 20, 2026 · 4,381,878 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 25V881000 · reported Dec 18, 2025 · 87 vehicles potentially affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 15, 2026. This is an expansion of Recalls 24V330 (24S33) and 25V133 (25S16).

NHTSA's record and documents

Equipment: electrical

NHTSA campaign 25V685000 · reported Oct 10, 2025 · 59,006 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

NHTSA's record and documents

Back over prevention: software

NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · reported Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine

NHTSA campaign 25V345000 · reported May 23, 2025 · 1,809 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module/bcm; Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 25V158000 · reported Mar 14, 2025 · 48,041 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 25V123000 · reported Feb 28, 2025 · 933 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An instrument panel that does not illuminate critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C06.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 25V133000 · reported Feb 28, 2025 · 207 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module; Exterior lighting: turn signal

NHTSA campaign 25V094000 · reported Feb 14, 2025 · 1,635 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal cannot notify other drivers that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C04.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module; Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 25V095000 · reported Feb 14, 2025 · 2,711 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: Rear tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S07.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

NHTSA campaign 25V019000 · reported Jan 17, 2025 · 272,817 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.

NHTSA's record and documents

Back over prevention: software

NHTSA campaign 24V684000 · reported Sep 13, 2024 · 273,701 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the Connected Touch Radio (CTR) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S59.

NHTSA's record and documents

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

NHTSA campaign 24V594000 · reported Aug 9, 2024 · 86,852 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 6, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S51.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 24V330000 · reported May 10, 2024 · 9,312 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module; Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 24V293000 · reported Apr 26, 2024 · 242,669 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: Rear tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 10, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module/bcm; Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 24V267000 · reported Apr 12, 2024 · 456,565 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 4, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S24.

NHTSA's record and documents

Tires

NHTSA campaign 24V223000 · reported Mar 22, 2024 · 115 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: A loss of vehicle handling and control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the tires, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S20.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 24V140000 · reported Feb 23, 2024 · 62,813 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An instrument panel that does not illuminate critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 26, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C01.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: body control module; Exterior lighting: turn signal

NHTSA campaign 23V848000 · reported Dec 15, 2023 · 189,814 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal will not notify other drivers that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C41.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine

NHTSA campaign 23V380000 · reported May 26, 2023 · 125,322 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehicles. For the other vehicles, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If a connecting rod bearing failure is detected, dealers will replace the engine long-block. All inspections and repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S27. This recall expands and replaces recall number 22V-484. Vehicles previously repaired under 22V-484 will need to have the new remedy completed.

NHTSA's record and documents

Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 23V160000 · reported Mar 10, 2023 · 2,716 vehicles potentially affected

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."

Risk: Trailer taillights that do not illuminate as intended can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will add an electrical circuit to the engine bay wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C04.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 121 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2023 Maverick, the latest on Oct 6, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: unknown or other (56), power train (33), electrical system (31), engine (11), equipment (9).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Recall query RQ24014
Loss of Motive Power
Electrical systemNov 15, 2024Closed Oct 10, 2025
NHTSA's summary names recall 24V267000, 25V019000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2023 Maverick.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2023 Ford Mavericks for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: small pickup trucks. EPA greenhouse gas score: 4–7 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Maverick
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline23 / 30 / 25
Maverick
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline22 / 28 / 24
Maverick HEV
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Regular Gasoline40 / 33 / 37
Maverick Tremor
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic 8-spdRegular Gasoline20 / 24 / 21

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data