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2023 Ford Maverick problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
53% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2023 Ford Maverick are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 70% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 13 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 51%).
Does the 2023 Ford Maverick have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 176 of 331 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Maverick concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (53%), and the largest group is filed under power train (133). For comparison, the 2022 scores 50%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2023 compares with other Ford Maverick years
Of the 2 Ford Maverick years with enough complaints to score, the 2023 is the worst on engine and transmission share (53%). The best is the 2022 (50%). By volume, the 2023 drew 344 complaints (176 drivetrain), against 616 for the 2022.
Ford Maverick years to avoid and best years →
2022 Maverick problems · 2023
The rest of the picture on the 2023 Ford Maverick
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2023 Ford Maverick said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical transmission repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 176 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2023 Ford Maverick engine and transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the 2023 Ford Maverick involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 21 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an…
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-267. The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge.
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-330. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick, 2020-2022 Escape, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources such as hot engine or exhaust components, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023…
15 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2023 Ford Maverick? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2023 Ford Maverick have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 176 of 331 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Ford Maverick concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (53%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Ford Maverick?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2023 Ford Maverick is power train: 133 of 344 complaints (39%) name it, followed by electrical system (98) and engine (83). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2023 Ford Maverick reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 53% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 70% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 2 Ford Maverick years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2023 Ford Maverick?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the 2023 Ford Maverick involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 21 in total: 25V685000 (equipment: electrical: engine block heater), 25V345000 (engine), 25V158000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Maverick years are better?
Among the Ford Maverick years we track, the 2022 (50%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2023 (53%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-maverick
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.