Ford Maverick Is Almost The Perfect Truck, But One Part Of It Really Sucks

[Optimus]

If I can jump in here, it seemed to me that Optimus was making a joke referencing that they spin the climate control fan speed knob instead of the shifter, then end up with behavior that wasn't what they expected.

I came from driving a manual Fiesta for nearly 10 years, so grabbing for a missing handbrake when I park, not knowing what to do with my hands while speeding up/slowing, and feeling like my left-foot is now a vestigial appendage is the biggest changes. Though weirdly, while I haven't owned a column shifter vehicle in over 20 years, I have borrowed a friend's F-150 that had one. And the first week I had the Maverick, several times I reached up for a non-existent shifter...brain must've been thinking we were in that F-150 and was on autopilot.

Ding Ding—you got the right answer! The rotary shifter is a lot like the HVAC controls in another vehicle, and the HVAC controls of the Maverick are like the 2wd/4WD selector switch in yet another (former) truck of mine.

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[Bigfoot7262]

I'd like to see the shift dial a bit taller & 'knobbier', but the few things I'd like to change would be the Auto Start Stop & Drive modes stay how I set them. Although even in hilly terrain it doesn't get caught sleeping in Normal mode so lately that's where I stay anyways. We'll see how it adapts to my heavy foot.

I don't like the Auto Start Stop at all, the battery & starter may be heavier but they're still gonna wear faster for a very small increase in MPG for my in town driving. Guess it's from years of driving junkers I'd have to feather the throttle at a red light to keep em from conking out.

And Kudos to Ford for making what may be the best reception on a radio. I rarely listen to radio cause my favorite station is barely audible ,both at home and on the road. The Maverick pulls it in and holds it with zero static.

 

[Brianx]

For me it's the rear camera display. Doesn't inspire confidence. My Mazda cx50 display is crisp and vivid

 

[CD_SM]

No clue why people don't like. Been using "the knob" in my Escape for 4 years and have no issues with it. Hell of a lot better than on the column. My only bitch is that the drive mode always defaults back to normal when you shut off the car (least on the Escape).. Why can't they just hold the drive mode it was in when you shut the car off (I always use ECO). Grrrrr. FYI... My Maverick finally has a build date.... Week of Sept 2nd... Over a year from the order date of Aug 22, 2023

I wish the buttons for transmission mode and traction control were in front of the knob - there is a perfect space there. Probably hill holder too. Not only would it make more space, it would make it much harder to spill your coffee onto the switches.

Also, totally agree about going back to Normal from Eco. That is my single biggest annoyance with the truck (and obviously it's a very minor thing). 6k miles in 8 months, not a single problem except one unexpected reboot of the entertainment system. (24 XLT, with 360 and sunroof.)

 

[CD_SM]

For me it's the rear camera display. Doesn't inspire confidence. My Mazda cx50 display is crisp and vivid

The Maverick one is certainly not the best, but it is far from the worst. I've had some really bad ones on rental cars. I never feel like I am struggling to see when I use it, day or night. I don't need an 8k rear view!

 

[CD_SM]

" I learned to drive in 1987 on a 64 Chevy with a 3-speed on the column and every time I get into the Maverick I accidently grab the wiper stalk and try to put it into first. And I'm always slamming my left foot on the floorboard when I go to put on the high beams."

See how stupid that sounds? That's how I feel every time I read an article that whines about the rotary shifter. It's just different, OK? Can we move on?

This ^^^
But I can tell a similar story. In my case it was getting back into my parents' 79 Impala after learning to drive a stick (76 Ford Courier). The Impala had one of those 60s/70s GM double-wide brake pedals. At the first stop sign, I went for the (non existent) clutch pedal and ended up with both feet on the brake pedal. Nearly went through the windshield. Of course did that exactly once and didn't write a nasty letter to GM about it ..

 

[CD_SM]

Looking at the instrument cluster is easy for me. My last two trucks (F-150s) were column shift automatics and the P R N D L display was in the instrument cluster.
I'm glad Ford kept the display up there, so I don't have to look down to see what position the shifter is in. And it's very easy to find/operate the knob without having to look down.

Plus it looks nicely old school

 

[Mavhead]

really?? I know consider the source I LIKE the shifter I can grab my mate and get fresh with out that stick in the way
But really this one part really sucks??
How about the crummy seats and the lack luster sound (Im parroting numerous posters here)
The Maverick is fine for me Its a vehicle that fits where I am
https://jalopnik.com/ford-maverick-is-almost-the-perfect-truck-but-one-part-1851599004

I was thinking you might be talking about the air intake.

 

[Sykotyk]

You do get used to it. Had my Maverick now nearly 2.5 years. I STILL will put it in park by accident, but I usually catch myself before I make a fool of myself. I agree it could have been designed better. I would like it if it had better visual on the display (Lariat) like when switching driving modes if the gear selector popped up on the screen

 

[Jah.]

Utilitarian vehicle at a reasonable price . Not sure what people expect with its price point and that's especially true of the earliest models . Of course they had to put up with first model year issues . So far I am pleased with the Mav . No major issues yet . Just recalls and oil changes . my truck was built on Tues/ Wed and not on Mon/Fri . It makes a difference imo . It's listed on bottom of sticker .

 

[Burger2]

I'd trade my adaptive Cruise Cntrl for ventilated front seats & rain sensing wipers in a heartbeat.
I would also LOVE to have one that did not have a loud rattle over the passenger above the headliner.

Can't believe the MY25 also does not have the rain sensing wipers at the Lariat level

 

[Timothyd]

Alas, it's been a long, long time ago when they had full -sized vehicles and bench seats.



I like that it goes into park when I turn the engine off if I don't bother to twist the knob.
I dislike that I can't see the little red light on the shifter if sunlight is hitting the knob.
That's my view.

I don't like the electric emergency brake. I want the manual lever between the seats so I can do Bat turns in my own lane.

 

[Timothyd]

Can't believe the MY25 also does not have the rain sensing wipers at the Lariat level

I wouldn't like that

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