2023 Ford Maverick

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Ford Maverick include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 52 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Hybrid Ford Maverick electrical system began to go into a save battery mode -no interior lights, only driver side door operated, and other system failures. Dealer replaced battery under warranty and general recall for this issue. A few months later same characteristics started showing up -interior lights not working, only driver’s side door operational, etc. This time the warranty had expired and the dealer, along with Ford Motor, told me any repairs would be at my expense, 100%. I feel problem was never resolved, even with replacement battery. Ford and dealer should address this problem. I’m sure I’m not the only one with this battery and electrical issue. After all, there was a full recall for the battery failure. Having no interior lights, unable to enter except driver’s side, and other manifestations are inherently unsafe.” (NHTSA Complaint #11719477)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2023 Ford Maverick have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 51 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “CV axles are covered under the Ford Powertrain Warranty. I am experiencing a driveline vibration consistent with axle failure. I would like a warranty diagnosis and documentation explaining why this is not considered a warrantable defect. Dealerships are refusing to evaluate a powertrain warranty issue involving driveline vibration consistent with axle failure. The vehicle exhibits driveline vibration under normal operation. That is not normal function and indicates a defect under warranty terms. Powertrain issues with axles present a safety concern. I see Ford has superseded the original NZ6Z axle part numbers to SZ6Z and now PZ6Z revisions. That indicates a known issue with earlier components. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact failure symptoms—this should be evaluated under powertrain warranty.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725681)

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Ford Maverick have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 34 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “[XXX]: Driving to work on the highway during rush hour. My vehicle started slowing down and wouldn’t go out of neutral. The instrument panel lit up and the display panel brought up collision ahead. A lot of other codes and things popped up as well. I avoided being hit by a semi truck and was able to pull over to the shoulder. I turned my vehicle off and on. The vehicle went into drive and i to got it off the highway. It was in limp mode after that. I tried turning the vehicle off and on several times, and to no prevail. I called a tow truck to have them take it to the dealership. Keep in mind that this happened so fast and I was more worried about getting out of the way to avoid a collision. To hear that this is a recall is ridiculous. I drive with kids in the backseat, and I will never feel comfortable driving this vehicle again! I waited 9 months to get the maverick and I’ve had nothing but issues. Under 5k miles, I had a code pop up saying they detected air in the engine compartment. I was on the road trip to Canada at the time. I spent my vacation worrying if I was going to make it home. Luckily I did and it needed an “update”. 2 other times, my left blinker failed. When it failed, my hazard lights would go off. Zumbrota ford “fixed” it the first time. Only for it to happen a month later. Zumbrota ford said they didn’t know what the issue was, but they “fixed it”. Now I had this even occur where the vehicle would go into neutral and limp mode. I’m not taking anymore chances, risking my life, driving this ford maverick. I’ve wasted so much time dealing with issue after issue and have missed several days of work. I just want a SAFE functioning vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)” (NHTSA Complaint #11597972)

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Ford Maverick have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 31 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2023 Ford Maverick. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was a fuel odor on the exterior and interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a fractured fuel seal. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer declined to provide a free diagnostic test. The contact referenced the notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V380000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 45,300.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725203)

Other Systems

The 2023 Ford Maverick has generated 31 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “CV axle…”

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Ford Maverick

The following 20 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Ford Maverick by the NHTSA or Ford. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Ford Maverick:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Ford to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Ford Maverick qualifies as a lemon under California law, Ford may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Ford pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Ford willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Ford Maverick Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Ford a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Ford dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Ford pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Ford a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Ford Maverick Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Ford Maverick as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Ford pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Ford is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Ford Maverick?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.