Best and Worst Years for Ford Maverick

Just when we thought the small truck market was dead (save for the Toyota Tacoma, of course), in steps Ford. The Ford Maverick took the small truck world by storm when it debuted in 2022. Fans love it so much they 3D-print parts for it, and aftermarket accessory makers are having a field day, too. The Ford Maverick is also priced to sell, making it a truck many consider when they’re looking to buy without breaking the bank.

Low-cost trucks often have issues, and the Maverick is no exception. Not all model years are great; some are downright bad. Here, we’ll go over which model years of the Ford Maverick are worth purchasing, which you should avoid, and what problems to expect no matter which model year of Ford Maverick you buy.

2022 was the first year Ford made the Maverick. Like any new vehicle, it came out of the gate wobbly. No amount of engineering could prepare Ford for how real-world drivers would fare with the Maverick. The most pronounced issue in the 2022 Maverick is braking, where the truck tends to “grab” the brakes at low speed, suggesting the 2022 Ford Maverick has some software issues.

• 2023

• 2024

• 2025

Because it was introduced in 2022, the Maverick only has one generation. Though the Maverick is a newer vehicle, Ford has made several changes year over year. Like any new car, the Maverick is imperfect, but it is improving with each model year.

There were many other issues, too. The electrical system was imperfect in the 2022 Ford Maverick, which caused issues with starting the truck and engine stalls. Many drivers reported severe vibrations when accelerating, too. 

The brakes on a Ford Maverick were suspect, but most should have seen a solution by now. Dealerships reprogrammed the brakes early on in model year 2022, so this shouldn’t be an issue if you buy a pre-owned Maverick. When towing, many reported issues with trailer brakes not working, too.

Most specific to the 2022 Ford Maverick, the side-curtain airbags were prone to failure and did not meet NHTSA safety standards. The issue affects roughly 65,000 2022 Mavericks. Ford has contacted owners to arrange airbag replacements, but if you’re concerned your truck hasn’t been serviced yet, your local Ford dealership can schedule a swap or check whether the repair has already been completed.

Hybrids aren’t easy; the dual-system power system can be tricky to engineer, and the Maverick is a testament to that. Early model year Mavericks are reported to have vibrations in hybrid models, most notably at slower speeds where the truck might be trying to figure out which powertrain is most appropriate.

Generally, yes. 2022 has quite a few issues, and we rarely suggest getting the first model year of any vehicle for that reason. Still, many of the issues were fixable through software updates, recalls, and simple dealership fixes. 

The Ford Maverick is a great little truck, and worth purchasing if you can find one for a reasonable price. It has a fervent, vocal fanbase, too.

Always have the Maverick you’re eyeing inspected by a mechanic of your choosing. If it’s a certified pre-owned Maverick, be sure it’s had all necessary recalls and that the dealership inspects any known issues before you purchase the vehicle.