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2026 Ford Maverick: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Ford Maverick[1]. The truck also has 7 recalls[2], so check your VIN before you buy or keep one.
Most reported problems
Owners have sent NHTSA 16 complaints about the 2026 Maverick[1]. Two mention a crash, one mentions a fire, and none report an injury or a death[1]. One complaint can name more than one part of the truck, so the counts below add up to more than 16[4][5][6][7]. These are unverified owner reports.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Brakes[4] | 6 |
| Electrical system[5] | 5 |
| Unknown or other[6] | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper[7] | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance[8] | 1 |
| Back over prevention[9] | 1 |
| Steering[10] | 1 |
| Suspension[11] | 1 |
We read a small sample of the complaint texts. That is not enough to say how common any problem is, so treat these as examples of what owners describe.
- Brakes. In the brake sample, owners describe brake or anti-lock warnings, a truck that did not slow down when the brakes were pressed, and a parking brake that would not release. One report describes fire at the wheels while the truck was being towed behind another vehicle. The cause was listed as inconclusive. NHTSA counts 1 fire in this group[4].
- Electrical system. In the electrical sample, owners describe a dead or drained battery and battery sensor warnings. One owner says the trailer sway control braked the truck when no trailer was attached[5].
- Visibility/wiper. In the visibility sample, two of three texts say the windshield chips or cracks easily. The third says the instrument cluster and camera screen look dim[7].
The other groups each have one complaint, so we do not call any of them a pattern.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2026 Maverick[2]. All of them say "certain" vehicles, so a recall may not cover your exact truck. VINs for these recalls are searchable on NHTSA.gov, and Ford customer service is at 1-866-436-7332[12]. Newest first:
- Loose joints (26V550). Some vehicle joints may be tightened wrongly. That could cause detached parts, electrical failure or loss of control. 23 vehicles are potentially affected, across the Maverick, F-150 and Bronco Sport[12]. Dealers will inspect and tighten the joints or replace parts as needed, free. Owner letters were mailed October 19, 2026[12].
- Front ball joints (26V340). The front lower control arm ball joints may have been installed or repaired wrongly. The control arm could then come off the wheel knuckle and cause a loss of control. 4,653 vehicles are potentially affected, across the Bronco Sport and Maverick[13]. Ford advises owners not to drive until the repair is done. Dealers will inspect and repair the joints, free[13].
- Passenger air bag sensor (26V201). The sensor that detects who is in the front passenger seat may misread an adult or a child. The air bag may then not deploy as intended. 3,170 vehicles are potentially affected[14]. Dealers will replace the sensor, free[14].
- Moonroof glass (26V157). The moonroof glass may not be bonded correctly and could come off the truck. That would leave a hazard on the road. 323 vehicles are potentially affected[15]. Dealers will inspect the glass and replace it if needed, free[15].
- Trailer module (26V104). When towing, the trailer module may lose contact with the truck. Trailer lights or brakes could then stop working. This recall covers 4,381,878 vehicles across many Ford models[16]. A dealer or an over-the-air update will fix the software, free[16].
- Dashboard cover (25V884). The instrument panel cover may come apart when an air bag deploys, and pieces could hit people in the truck. 6,897 vehicles are potentially affected[17]. Dealers will replace the cover, free[17].
- Park function (25V863). The park module may fail to lock when the driver shifts into park, so the truck could roll away. 272,645 vehicles are potentially affected, across three Ford models[18]. The fix is a software update over the air or at a dealer, free[18].
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the 2026 Maverick in seven versions[19][3][20][21][22][23][24]. The hybrids use the 2.5L engine[3]. The others use the 2.0L turbo engine[19]. All use regular fuel.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| HEV FWD[3] | 42 / 35 / 38 | $1,750 |
| HEV AWD[21] | 40 / 34 / 37 | $1,800 |
| Lariat HEV AWD[24] | 39 / 32 / 36 | $1,850 |
| FWD[19] | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 |
| AWD[20] | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Lobo AWD[22] | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Tremor AWD[23] | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
The HEV FWD has the best combined rating on the list and the Tremor AWD has the lowest. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the truck was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars in the frontal crash test and 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[25]. The FWD version also gets 5 stars frontal and 4 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[26].
Engine and size
The EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder at 250 hp[27]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks[28].
How 2026 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 617 | 29 |
| 2023 | 347 | 22 |
| 2024 | 179 | 16 |
| 2025 | 50 | 12 |
| 2026 | 16 | 7 |
NHTSA data for each Maverick model year[2]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 617 | 29 |
| 2023 | 347 | 22 |
| 2024 | 179 | 16 |
| 2025 | 50 | 12 |
| 2026 | 16 | 7 |
2026 has the fewest complaints and the fewest recalls of the five years. These counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect reports. A low count is not proof of a better truck.
Should you buy a used 2026 Maverick?
The 2026 Maverick has a small complaint count so far[1], and NHTSA crash tests gave 5 stars frontal[25][26]. It also has 7 recalls, and one tells owners not to drive until the front ball joints are repaired[13][2]. Check the VIN on NHTSA.gov and ask the seller for proof that every open recall was done. Fuel economy depends a lot on the version, from 23 to 38 mpg combined[3][23]. We do not have data on price or long-term reliability, so those need a separate check.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2026 Ford Maverick have?
- NHTSA has 16 owner complaints[1]. Brakes have 6 and the electrical system has 5[1][4][5]. In a small sample of texts, owners describe brake warnings and battery trouble[4][5].
- Are there recalls on the 2026 Ford Maverick?
- Yes, 7 are on file[2]. They cover joints, front ball joints, a passenger air bag sensor, moonroof glass, the trailer module, the dashboard cover and the park function[12][13][14][15][16][17][18].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Ford Maverick?
- The EPA rates it from 23 mpg combined for the Tremor AWD to 38 mpg combined for the HEV FWD[23][3]. The FWD turbo is rated 26 mpg combined[19].
- Is the 2026 Ford Maverick safe?
- NHTSA gave both the AWD and FWD versions 5 stars in the frontal test and 4 stars for rollover[25][26]. Check open recalls too[2].
- Is 2026 a better Maverick year than earlier ones?
- It has the fewest complaints (16) and recalls (7) of the five years on file[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Ford Maverick (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Maverick model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maverick HEV FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the back over prevention component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V550, filed August 25, 2026: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V340, filed May 27, 2026: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V201, filed March 31, 2026: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V157, filed March 17, 2026: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V104, filed February 20, 2026: Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V884, filed December 18, 2025: Structure › Interior Panels › Dashboard. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V863, filed December 12, 2025: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Internal › Park Pawl. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maverick FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Maverick AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Maverick HEV AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Maverick Lobo AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Maverick Tremor AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Maverick Lariat HEV AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 39 city / 32 highway / 36 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC AWD: frontal 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC FWD: frontal 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Ford Maverick with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAVERICK 4DR PICKUP AWD: length 200 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 3,730 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAVERICK 4DR PICKUP FWD: length 200 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 3,563 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAVERICK FHEV 4DR PICKUP: length 200 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 3,675 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov