Ford Maverick Problems (2022-2026): Issues, Recalls and Fixes

The Ford Maverick is one of those rare vehicles that made people excited about a small, affordable truck again. It’s practical, it’s frugal (especially the hybrid), and it fits in a normal garage. It’s also had a busy few years at the dealer service desk.

This guide rounds up the most common problems owners report on 2022-2026 Mavericks, the recalls you should check your VIN against right now, and what actually fixes each issue. If you own one, or you’re shopping for a used one, this is the stuff worth knowing before something goes wrong.

First, the urgent one: the front ball joint recall (26S36)

If you read nothing else, read this. In May 2026 Ford filed a safety recall for certain 2022-2026 Mavericks (and 2021-2026 Bronco Sports) because the front lower control arm ball joints may have been assembled or repaired incorrectly at the factory. Ford’s recall number is 26S36, and the NHTSA campaign number is 26V340.

Ford’s safety recall report to NHTSA says a ball joint that isn’t fully seated can separate from the steering knuckle, which can cause a loss of vehicle control. Ford lists 2,357 Mavericks in the recall population. That’s a small slice of all Mavericks on the road, but if yours is one of them, it matters a lot.

Do not drive an affected truck. Ford has issued a “do not drive” advisory for vehicles in this recall. Check your VIN, and if it’s included, call your dealer instead of driving in. Ford says dealers can send a mobile technician or tow the truck, and the inspection and any repair are free.

According to Ford’s recall FAQ, the dealer inspects both front lower ball joints and replaces the suspension parts if a joint isn’t seated correctly. Ford says the remedy has been available since August 27, 2026. Ford also says it added a fixture at the assembly plant on June 1, 2025 to guarantee the part is fully inserted.

How to check: Enter your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or Ford’s recall lookup page. It takes about 30 seconds, which is less time than it takes to find your registration in the glovebox.

Dead 12-volt battery and “won’t start” (mostly hybrids)

This is the complaint you’ll see over and over in owner forums. The truck sits for a few days, you hop in, and nothing happens. The big hybrid battery is fine. The problem is the small 12-volt battery that wakes everything up.

An analysis of NHTSA owner complaints by Know Your Truck counted about 120 complaints about a dead 12-volt battery or no-start condition, and 113 of those were hybrids. Ford has issued recalls related to this, including one for 12-volt batteries that can suddenly fail on some 2022-2023 trucks (NHTSA 25V019000) and one for battery monitoring software (24V267000).

What owners say fixes it

Over on MaverickTruckClub, a lot of hybrid owners have swapped the factory flooded battery for a Group 140R (also called H4 or LN1) AGM battery. Owners report it drops into the hybrid’s battery compartment without modification, and that the truck’s no-start issues improved afterward. A few practical notes from those threads:

Watch the terminal orientation. The “R” in 140R matters, and owners say some parts websites will wrongly tell you an AGM won’t fit. Measure your old battery and compare before you order.
Owners recommend a long 1/4-inch drive extension (around 10 inches) to reach the hold-down bolt, and a magnetic pickup tool for when you inevitably drop that bolt.
Some owners mention resetting the battery monitoring system after the swap. Ask your dealer, or check your owner’s manual, for the right procedure on your truck.

Keep in mind this is an owner-community fix, not a Ford service bulletin. Before you spend money, have the battery tested and make sure any open recalls on your VIN are done, because those may be covered for free.

Gear that helps

A Group 140R AGM battery, such as the UPLUS AGM-L50-UP Group 140R, the one most often linked in owner threads. Confirm size and terminal layout against your truck first.
A battery maintainer like the Battery Tender Plus 1.25A if your Maverick sits for long stretches, such as when you travel or work from home.
A compact jump pack such as the NOCO Boost GB40 for the glovebox. It’s a lot less awkward than flagging down a stranger with jumper cables.

Losing power with “Stop Safely Now” (hybrid)

This is the scariest one owners describe: the truck suddenly loses drive power on the road and the dash says “Stop Safely Now.” Know Your Truck’s review of NHTSA complaints counted about 190 complaints about losing power while driving.

There isn’t one single cause. Owners often link it to a weak 12-volt battery, and software is another factor. Ford recalled certain 2022-2024 hybrids for software that could shift the truck into neutral (NHTSA 24V330000). If it happens to you, get safely off the road, then have a dealer pull the fault codes, test the 12-volt battery, and install all available software updates.

Sync and infotainment glitches

This one isn’t dangerous, just annoying. Owners on r/FordMaverickTruck complain about a slow or frozen Sync screen, and some say they reset it regularly. A few also noted that phone and app issues can look like truck issues, so try a different phone or cable before you blame the truck.

What helps:

Install software updates. Many Mavericks get them over the air, and the dealer can push the rest.
Try a soft reset of the system (your owner’s manual covers the button combination for your Sync version).
Use a quality USB cable for CarPlay or Android Auto. Bargain-bin cables cause more “truck problems” than you’d think.

Transmission feel and shifting complaints

Owners of the 2.0L EcoBoost with the 8-speed automatic sometimes describe it as indecisive. It might downshift and pull nicely one time, then lug along at low RPM the next. Hybrid owners mention a noticeable handoff between regenerative and friction braking at low speed.

Most of these reports describe drivability quirks rather than failures. If yours shifts harshly, slips, or throws a warning light, that’s a dealer visit, especially while the truck is under warranty. Bring notes on when it happens (cold start, highway merge, stop-and-go), because “it does a weird thing sometimes” is not a diagnosis technicians love.

Other recalls worth checking

The Maverick has had a long recall list for a young truck. Beyond the ones above, check your VIN for these:

Engine compartment fire risk after an engine failure on 2022-2023 hybrids (NHTSA 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. Some of these needed a second repair.
Trailer lights and brakes that can stop working while towing because the trailer module loses communication (26V104000). The fix is a software update.

Recalls only cover specific VINs, so the lookup at NHTSA.gov is your friend. It also shows whether a past recall was already completed.

Buying a used Maverick? A quick checklist

Run the VIN for open recalls, especially 26S36. Don’t test drive a truck with an open do-not-drive recall.
Ask how old the 12-volt battery is, and whether it was ever replaced with an AGM.
Ask for service records showing software updates and completed recalls.
Test the Sync screen, backup camera and phone connection during the test drive.
On the 2.0L, drive it in stop-and-go and on a highway merge so you can feel the transmission in both situations.

The bottom line

The Maverick is still a smart, practical truck, and most owners on the forums are happy with theirs. But it’s a truck where checking recalls isn’t optional. Look up your VIN today, take the ball joint recall seriously if it applies, and keep an eye on that 12-volt battery. Do that and the Maverick will mostly just do its job, which is what you bought a small truck for in the first place.

Sources

Recall details change. Always confirm your specific vehicle’s recall status with NHTSA or a Ford dealer. As an Amazon Associate, Ford Fixed earns from qualifying purchases.

Ford Maverick Problems (2022-2026): Common Issues, Recalls and Fixes