NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2026 Ford Maverick. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 23–38 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport vehicles. Certain vehicle joints may be improperly tightened. This can lead to detached parts, unsecured cargo, degraded crash protection, electrical system failure, or a loss of vehicle stability.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Good afternoon To who it may concern: Ford I just bought a ford maverick 2026 hybrid xlt awd 4k tow This pertains to all maverick awd only gas and hybrid. WIRE HARNESS VERY CLOSE TO EXHAUST PIPE. Rear drivers side it looks like it is for electric ebrake and ads . On mine and others that I went back and look at are all the same but very in distance from hot exhaust pipe. Mine was about 1” but because the suspension moves or if bed is load wth weight may hit. I talked service advisor but did seem to care to much. See pictures of mine I pushed away but there had been over 200,000 awd’s made. I was under my new truck running wire for my extra lights ,also they put heat reflective tape on wire near exhaust end pipe I also put tape on my wire but the is 3” or more and does not move.”
“I was driving with some gravel in the back and the trailer sway control came on causing it to brake and almost lose control on the interstate in front of a semi. This. Vehicle has never had a trailer attached and the nothing in the trailer plug and that still came on.”
“Description On your vehicle, the instrument panel ip upper section may detach from the passenger air bag chute doors during air bag deployment. The airbag is expected to otherwise deploy in position and restrain the occupant as designed. Safety Risk In the event of a crash in which the vehicle deploys the passenger airbag, a part of the ip upper section may detach and strike a vehicle occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy Parts are available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the ip upper section free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maverick HEV FWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 42 | 35 | 38 | $1,650 | 234 |
| Maverick HEV AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 40 | 34 | 37 | $1,700 | 241 |
| Maverick Lariat HEV AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 39 | 32 | 36 | $1,750 | 248 |
| Maverick FWD Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,400 | 341 |
| Maverick AWD Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Maverick Lobo AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Maverick Tremor AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (2), electrical system (2), service brakes (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Ford Maverick at 23–38 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Ford Maverick 5 out of 5 stars overall.