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[dalola]

Contacted Ford as suggested about and got into a chat. They gave me 3 suggestions that I'll look into. Hoping for the best.

Copied from the chat -

Here is how to disable the automatic AC and take full manual control:

1. Turn Off "Auto" Mode
   The most common reason the AC stays on is that the system is in Auto mode. In this mode, the truck will constantly run the AC compressor to maintain the specific temperature you have set on the digital readout (e.g., 72 ∘ ).

How to fix: Look at the climate bar at the bottom of your touchscreen. If the word "AUTO" is highlighted or has a lit indicator, tap it to turn it off.
The Result: This puts the system in "Manual" mode, allowing you to choose fan speed and vent location without the computer deciding to use the AC.

1. Check the "Defrost" Vent Setting (The Most Likely Culprit)
   Ford vehicles are programmed to automatically engage the AC compressor whenever the airflow is directed toward the windshield (Defrost). This is designed to dehumidify the air and prevent fogging. Even if you don't press the "AC" button, the compressor will run in the background if the defrost vents are active.

How to fix: In the climate menu on your screen, ensure the airflow is set to "Panel" (blowing at your face) or "Floor" (blowing at your feet).
The Result: Avoid any setting that includes the windshield icon (the curved window shape) if you want the AC compressor to stay completely off.

1. Disable "Auto AC" in the Settings
   On the 2025 Maverick, there is a specific software toggle that can trigger the AC based on the temperature difference between the cabin and your set point.

How to fix:
Tap the Climate icon at the bottom of the Sync 4 screen to open the full-screen climate menu.
Ensure the A/C button is explicitly tapped "Off" (it should not be highlighted).
Check if Recirculation is on. If you turn on Recirculation, the truck will often turn on the AC to prevent the cabin air from getting "stuffy" or humid. Keep it on "Fresh Air" (recirculation off) while your windows are open.

1. Remote Start Settings (If you use it)
   If you use the FordPass app or your key fob to remote start the truck, the Maverick may be cooling the cabin before you even get in.

How to fix: Go to Settings > Vehicle > Remote Start > Climate Control.
Change to: Switch from "Auto" to "Last Settings." This ensures that if you turned the AC off before you parked, it stays off when you start it back up.


Pro-Tip for Window-Down Driving:
If you want the fan to blow fresh outside air without the AC, simply:
Turn AUTO off.
Turn A/C off.
Set the vents to Panel/Floor.
Set the temperature to "LO" or a moderate temp.

None of that matters. If the HVAC is ON, regardless of any setting, the AC *may* cycle on & off automatically, based on in-cab humidity levels. There is no over-ride, no fix....other than shutting the HVAC OFF.

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[sn00pyguy]

Fellow Mav owners, if you are like me are tired of driving around with the windows open and your AC on because it goes on all the time, even if not in Auto mode, then take a couple of minutes and contact Ford. Maybe they will reconsider this stupid thing.

Same for automatic headlights that default to automatic every time you start the car. Unlike normal cars where you can select Auto headlights or to do it yourself.

If you also dislike these two features, you can contact Ford here and tell them. You can do it via chat too.

https://www.ford.com/help/contact/?srsltid=AfmBOopd74hFrmEqxb24i_HjAMHRK6jh0w-llOtB_2Tl-6H-qAPzkz7q

It might not work, but maybe if enough people say something they can fix that.

PS if you like these things, this thread is not for you! You will not lose them, if you want your AC on all the time day and night, in freezing weather or with your windows down, you can still have it by putting in AUTO AC mode. If you want your headlights always automatic, then you put it on auto once and never touch it again. Please don't clog this thread up with how you like it or lame explanations of why the AC should be on all the time. This thread is for those that don't appreciate this automation and lack of control.

Thank you.

When I don't want the AC on in warmer weather I just turn the fan off and the AC goes off too.

 

[Truckish]

When I don't want the AC on in warmer weather I just turn the fan off and the AC goes off too.

Yes, I have been doing that, I just prefer to have fresh air flowing through the vents. Regardless, it's still needless steps to turn things off regularly just because Ford decided people are not to be trusted with car controls.

 

[Truckish]

None of that matters. If the HVAC is ON, regardless of any setting, the AC *may* cycle on & off automatically, based on in-cab humidity levels. There is no over-ride, no fix....other than shutting the HVAC OFF.

Yes, that is correct sir.

Nothing matters except turning it off.

I really love the the Mav. I chose it over many other trucks and spent my hard earned money on it. I don't want to sell it a some trolls have suggested.

It is a software issue that can be easily resolved since the car already has an automatic AC mode for those that want to drive around with the AC compressor engaged at all time.

I was hoping that if others found it annoying maybe Ford would take notice like VW did with the Golf's all touch controls. People spoke and the brought back some knobs on it.

Anyway, maybe someone will find a way to code it out later?

 

[grandpopa'sMPGs]

My AC doesn't com on unless I turn it on. I use 440 air conditioning when it is hot.

 

[Mudduck]

"I will not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for I can be made crunchy and good with ketchup"

Otherwise, when I use remote start, I like my Mav to warm or cool based on ambient temp.

 

[MavStangVa]

Yes, that is correct sir.

Nothing matters except turning it off.

I really love the the Mav. I chose it over many other trucks and spent my hard earned money on it. I don't want to sell it a some trolls have suggested.

It is a software issue that can be easily resolved since the car already has an automatic AC mode for those that want to drive around with the AC compressor engaged at all time.

I was hoping that if others found it annoying maybe Ford would take notice like VW did with the Golf's all touch controls. People spoke and the brought back some knobs on it.

Anyway, maybe someone will find a way to code it out later?

Actually setting the climate control to auto does NOT turn the ac ON all the time. It does if it needs to cool or defrost and it is off if it needs to heat to the set temperature. This is the permanent AC off device.

 

[Mudduck]

Ford understands too that they cannot make everyone happy. I have had 52 different automobiles, and I liked every detail on only1 of them, a 1987 Dodge Omni Shelby GLH~S.
The maverick, regardless of recent price increase, is a budget friendly, entry level, fun, imperfect tiny, sort-a-truck. Budget cars beget you budget features, budget implementation, and a plethora of after thoughts.
There are no perfect vehicles aside from the Kawasaki H2..

 

[jet66]

In general I like it, but once I was driving in fog and it decided to switch to high beams.

My very first morning commute in my Maverick on a rural highway was foggy, and the high beams kept kicking on and off depending on the density. I turned that right off.

I do have to admit that, being in Florida, I like that it kicks on the compressor when it gets too humid if running vent only. Usually does so just as I think 'maybe it's time to hit defrost.' I wasn't thrilled when I saw that it was autonomous to some degree even when AC is set to 'off,' but in practice it's actually worked out well for me.

 

[MavStangVa]

My very first morning commute in my Maverick on a rural highway was foggy, and the high beams kept kicking on and off depending on the density. I turned that right off.

I do have to admit that, being in Florida, I like that it kicks on the compressor when it gets too humid if running vent only. Usually does so just as I think 'maybe it's time to hit defrost.' I wasn't thrilled when I saw that it was autonomous to some degree even when AC is set to 'off,' but in practice it's actually worked out well for me.

Not sure if the 2026 works the same but this works on my 2024 Lariat. I can "defeat" the auto high bean without going into the menu.

OVERRIDING AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM CONTROL

Push the lever away from you to switch the high beams on.
Push the lever away from you again to switch the high beams off.
Push the lever away from you for a third time to switch automatic high beam control back on.

 

[Truckish]

Ford understands too that they cannot make everyone happy. I have had 52 different automobiles, and I liked every detail on only1 of them, a 1987 Dodge Omni Shelby GLH~S.
The maverick, regardless of recent price increase, is a budget friendly, entry level, fun, imperfect tiny, sort-a-truck. Budget cars beget you budget features, budget implementation, and a plethora of after thoughts.
There are no perfect vehicles aside from the Kawasaki H2..

I respectfully disagree. For can make everyone happy.

Every other car I have that has Auto AC makes everyone happy when they let you select it.

They have An Auto AC mode that those that want Auto AC use and those that don't select the manual mode that remembers your setting.

Same with headlights. They have an ON, OFF and Auto. Those that want AUTO select it and everyone is happy.

Instead they went with a group and told another your are stuck with what one group wants.

So in fact they CAN make everyone happy by doing something most other manufacturers have been doing for years....just make let the owner select auto mode or not. It's not rocket science.

 

[HeyBales]

None of that matters. If the HVAC is ON, regardless of any setting, the AC *may* cycle on & off automatically, based on in-cab humidity levels. There is no over-ride, no fix....other than shutting the HVAC OFF.

But 2 things being described in this thread, and the OP.

25/26 MY having the AC button (screen) pressed and lit.
When truck was turned off after HVAC was turned off.
Or AC was turned off last, before truck turned off.

And the other "issue" - what you describe - no AC button, but it's actually running in background when it sees humidity high.

Some of those instructions may help with the former - but not the latter effect.

I'd even suggest that the instructions about defrost have been that way for decades - defrost on, AC is on even without lit button.

1989 Mercury Tracer/Mazda 323 was that way. 1990's Toyota Corolla's were that way.
No one should have a complaint about that unless they've been under a rock for awhile.

 

[HeyBales]

I've been having more times recently where I turn on the HVAC, and what was last set as face vent, has no button lit.
But you can feel it from the windshield vents, especially with increase to fan speed.
I need to see if the feet vent has anything, but harder for me to confirm that one when it's split air.

I need to feel that air stream longer, see if the system thinks the defrost button is pressed but just not lighting the button - and therefore has the AC on.

Since I have it set to Lo and don't press the AC, just to get outside air - this should be an easy test if it has the AC on.

Maybe it senses high humidity, so deselects my face button, and does defrost automatically?
That would be annoying too.
I think it's a glitch though.

But when I purposely deselect face so no button is lit - it does go to windshield vents at least.
Anyone else?

 

[Truckish]

I've been having more times recently where I turn on the HVAC, and what was last set as face vent, has no button lit.
But you can feel it from the windshield vents, especially with increase to fan speed.
I need to see if the feet vent has anything, but harder for me to confirm that one when it's split air.

I need to feel that air stream longer, see if the system thinks the defrost button is pressed but just not lighting the button - and therefore has the AC on.

Since I have it set to Lo and don't press the AC, just to get outside air - this should be an easy test if it has the AC on.

Maybe it senses high humidity, so deselects my face button, and does defrost automatically?
That would be annoying too.
I think it's a glitch though.

But when I purposely deselect face so no button is lit - it does go to windshield vents at least.
Anyone else?

I have tested it at least 60 starts now and it comes on 100% of the time regardless, unless I completely turn off the fresh air fan. The only thing that varies is sometimes it comes activates the recirculation and sometimes not. The point is the car is starting cold in the morning and windows immediately go down. If there is humidity it will quickly be cleared up. Instead I am starting a car cold. It is also hard to see with glare and sunglasses and have to look at the screen and take eyes off road if I start driving and forget to turn off immediately. So what makes it more aggravating is that on the new cars, there is no manual control. YOu have to stare at a hard to find screen and hit tiny off button on the bottom of the screen while the truck is bouncing.

I think part of the disconnect here is most people here have the older Mavericks with physical AC controls and are just saying stuff about how easy it is to turn off or manage when the newer cars do not have any physical controls...it is all tiny slide and push options on a screen.

 

[Truckish]

Not sure if the 2026 works the same but this works on my 2024 Lariat. I can "defeat" the auto high bean without going into the menu.

OVERRIDING AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM CONTROL

Push the lever away from you to switch the high beams on.
Push the lever away from you again to switch the high beams off.
Push the lever away from you for a third time to switch automatic high beam control back on.

Thank you, great info, but the issue is not with auto high beams..I was able to disable that. The headlights come on 100% of the time when you start the car and no, not daytime running lights. The headlight switch resets on every time you start the car to automatic headlights. I also do a lot of short errands with it. Simply wish for it to remember if I put the headlights switch on AUTO or not and have it stay where I left it.

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