Should you buy a first-year truck or car model? Or is it best to wait a year or two?
That's Tyler and Marissa’s (@outoffuel) question because of all the issues with their 2022 Ford Maverick pickup. While looking at the Ford truck forums, I found an interesting post.
Tyler and Marissa wanted a new midsize pickup and saw the new Ford Maverick. The price was great; they wanted a new truck and jumped on the all-new Ford Maverick the first year it came out.
Now, Tyler says in his TikTok video,
"Look here on my phone. I get these warning malfunction notifications on my Maverick FordPass app daily. I've taken it to the dealer countless times. We are coming up on 36,000 miles, the warranty is almost up, and I'll have to start paying for all these problems," Tyler expresses his frustration.
"I'm wondering because it's an all-new model, should I have waited a year to buy it?"
Buying a New Vehicle is Great Until Things Go Wrong
Imagine buying a new vehicle, and less than two years in, the new truck starts spitting out warning notifications to you via your smartphone. You take it to the dealer, who fixes some recalls but can't replicate all the problems. That's where Tyler and Marissa's story begins.
Tyler and Marissa took their truck to the Ford dealer, and this is what happened.
Marissa says, "So, we just got the Ford Maverick back; let's see if they fixed anything. So, this is the third recall on our Maverick, and I wonder if they got it fixed?" Tyler says.
Tyler points to the warning codes on his phone, which are a full page of warning texts he has received. I can see 15 warnings he has received on his phone with dates from 10/29/24 through 12/22/24. So, over seven weeks, there have been 15 warning codes. However, he scrolls through the pages, and there are at least two more pages full of warning texts on his Ford Maverick.
Tyler says, "I can scroll back to December and see all these warnings over just a few days. When I took my truck to the dealer for the passenger seat belt malfunction, they said the work had been completed, but they weren't able to replicate the problem in the warning code."
"So, I told them this has been going on for over 30 days since December. The service advisor says that I can bring it back on Monday."
"So, we dropped the truck off at 8:30 am this morning, and it is now 5:50 pm. The dealer only did an oil change and one recall issue. So, with my phone app, I tracked the truck, and it was just sitting at the back of the lot, and they didn't start working on it until 1:00 pm."
"I left my house at 7:30 am so I could be here for the 8:30 appointment for which I was on time, and they don't touch it until 1:00 pm. They only did the oil change, which takes what? Maybe 30 minutes? And they fixed one recall."
"They did nothing with the seatbelt restraint module because they say they couldn't replicate the issue. Even though for the last 30 days I keep getting the warning code on it."
"I also keep getting tire pressure monitoring warnings, and they said that nothing is wrong with it even though I get a warning every couple of days that says, 'Your Tire Monitoring System is Malfunctioning.'
"So, they couldn't replicate that either, and the truck is about to be out of warranty, so now we are going to have to pay out of pocket to fix it. The service advisor said once it hits 36,000 miles, we will be responsible for paying for it all."
In another video, Tyler talks about the Maverick's temperature gauge malfunction.
Tyler says, "I am not impressed with this truck whatsoever. Because this is a brand new truck, it's still under its 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty, and they refuse to cover the temperature gauge, which is not working properly. I checked online on Reddit, and everyone is having this issue with the 2022 Ford Maverick."
Tyler concludes, saying, "Ford says it's the owner's fault. They say it could be because of a collision, rodents chewing on the wiring, or a rock hitting the front of the truck and damaging the temperature gauge. They refuse to take responsibility for a problem that many people are having with this truck."
"So, Ford, I'm giving this Maverick a thumbs down; I guess you get what you pay for."
What Are Others Saying About the 2022 Ford Maverick?
Longjumping_Use_9717 - One Sunday in the South Carolina Midlands, the temperature was in the 30s and 40s (Fahrenheit) when my Ford Maverick started in the 60s, then 80s, before peaking out at 114 degrees when I took this picture. I have had periodic problems with the temperature sensor. Usually, it is either correct or somewhat high (10 - 20 degrees).
He continues, I took it to the dealership twice. The first time, they could not reproduce the issue. The second time, I carried the picture above, and they also saw the issue happen while at the dealership. They could not fix the problem and contacted Ford. Ford verified it was a known issue and said they should be working on a software fix. There may be a recall letter coming for certain Mavericks.
tubbnugget - I'm having the same issue. It starts at 110 and slowly trickles down into the '90s. Any fix for it yet? I am taking mine to service under warranty on Monday, hoping for an easy fix.
Should You Avoid A First-Year New Model?
A first-year model may be less reliable. "The first model year of a redesign is often the least reliable, according to a 2019 Consumer Reports survey. The technology is new and often hasn't had the chance to be tested extensively in the real world," the report says.
CR says, "Our proprietary analysis shows that vehicles tend to be most reliable by the final year of any particular model run (typically five to seven years), after many of the bugs have been worked out, and least reliable in the first year of a redesign, when freshly reconfigured and often touted as all-new."
Lessons From Tyler and Marissa's Form Maverick Experience
According to Consumer Reports, the 2022 Ford Maverick has below-average reliability with a 45/100 rating. The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid is even lower, with a 19/100 reliability rating.
CR says the Ford Maverick gets a low for 1/5 build quality and a 1/5 for in-car electronics. A big red flag is the 2022 Ford Maverick, which was recalled 15 times by the NHTSA.
Final Thoughts and Questions for Maverick Owners
It pays to wait to get the most reliable car or truck model. It would have been best for Tyler and Marissa to wait a year or two until Ford worked out the new model Maverick issues.
CR says, "Snapping up a brand-new model is exciting but can often result in headaches."
How about you? Do you own a 2022 or 2023 Ford Maverick, and what has your experience been with the new truck? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Ford story titled; Ford Fails To Recall the F-150 and 9 Other Models, and Slapped With a Hefty $165M Fine, “When They Fail To Prioritize Safety, We’ll Hold Them Accountable”
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Ford Dealer
Comments
I wrote a letter to Ford…
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I wrote a letter to Ford Customer Relations and the Fairview Ford dealership in Riverside, CA where I bought the Maverick Hybrid XLT for $36,000 only to find a two months later a guy in my area bought the exact same truck for $25,000. I'm over that painful realization, but I am afraid of my Maverick. It has downshifted on me twice in the middle of the freeway with a "Stop Vehicle Now" flashing warning and the first a diesel truck has to swerve into the right lane beside me and missed my truck by inches!! If there has been a car in the next lane I would have been toast!! Scared me to death!! I also have to have AAA on speed dial. 5 times so far it has failed to start giving me the "Stop Vehicle Now" flashing and it happens at the weirdest times..I loaded my music gear into the club, came out to park so I could go back in and set up ..I had to do the gig with my truck double parked by the restaurant entrance and had to call triple A after the gig was done. I've taken it to the dealership multiple times and they tell me the battery was low and they've fixed it, only for it to happen again, and again...last time I tried to take it in they said I had to pay $235 for a diagnostic. All 'n' All? The truck is the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned and I'm kicking myself for getting rid of my Tacoma in favor of Ford's Hybrid technology. My wife has a 2017 Ford Fusion Energi Hybrid we live so I thought everything would be solid. NOT!! Not even close... Boo Hoo!! and bloated payments to boot!! :0(
I have one of the first 500…
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I have one of the first 500 Lightning EVs off the line. 3 years and 30k+ miles and it has only been in for service one time. Generally I wouldn't buy a first year, but I knew the following model was going up by $10k plus supply was non existent. So I jumped on the opportunity to pick up a mannequin. Best thing i ever did. It is a rip to drive and the truck pays for itself when I leave the old diesel in the driveway. Which is honestly all the time. The lightning tows my 12k rig like it's not even behind me.
2023 hybrid. Some recalls…
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2023 hybrid. Some recalls. Tech came to my house to do them. Other than that, no issues. Quoting CR just tells me the writer ain't a car guy. CR is a joke.
Tell the guy to sell his truck or buy a Ford extended warranty.
I ordered my 22 Hybrid XLT…
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I ordered my 22 Hybrid XLT Maverick Oct 2021 and it was delivered Oct 3, 2022. As of Feb 2, 2025, I have right at 49,000 and have had no issues thankfully. Most of my miles is from driving it to work, which is almost 70mi one way. I've even put it to the test hauling landscaping brick (roughly 1350-1400lb load) and flooring (about 1200lb load) and aside from it squatting from the weight, it handled like it didn't have a load. I have been impressed with what this truck has done and its capabilities so far. One thing I haven't done is towed anything with it. I give my Maverick TWO thumbs up!
Purchased my 2022 maverick…
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Purchased my 2022 maverick and now have 56,000 miles on it.i have not had any issues with this car.i love it and will be buying a second maverick 2025 soon
Purchased my 2022 maverick…
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Purchased my 2022 maverick and now have 56,000 miles on it.i have not had any issues with this car.i love it and will be buying a second maverick 2025 soon
I have a 2022 first edition…
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I have a 2022 first edition. Maverick, it has been in the shop so many times. I've lost count. I have went through seven batteries, and they keep telling me that I'm not driving my vehicle enough. I've now been in contact with strategic research to file a claim against Ford. I haven't had the problem with my temperature gauge yet, but I always get these warnings about low battery. If I had to do it over again I would have waited till 2025 and got the all-wheel drive model. Sorry that you're having so many problems yourself, I guess we should start a group of disgruntled Ford owners.
I own a 2023 Maverick Hybrid
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I own a 2023 Maverick Hybrid
I own a 2023 Maverick Lariat…
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I own a 2023 Maverick Lariat Hybrid. Thankfully, the only issue so far was that it went into limp mode one night after work. A quick internet search told me to disconnect and reconnect the battery. Shortly after, Ford issued a BCM & PCM update and I got it completed. The dealership failed to tell Ford so I kept getting notices concerning the recall for the next few months. I recommend carrying around a wrench and learn where the battery is.