Are Mavericks Lemons?

[NedF]

My only lemon out of 25-30 new vehicles was a Saturn Vue. GM didn’t even argue about taking it back.

My best vehicle was a 2008 Saturn Vue assembled in Mexico. I am not sure what year you had but the 2008 was first year for the Opel copy cat model refresh. I sold it a few weeks ago and the woman who bought could not be happier.

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[JBL14]

I have had 3 Ford Focus sedans and 2 Ford ZX2s. All going over 200,000 miles. They were all made in Mexico. They have been rock solid except for plastic thermostat housing. Made in Mexico is not a strike in most cases........IMO.

 

[Not of this earth]

I bought a 2022 Hybrid used. 28k when I bought it. I love this little truck. I commute 45 minutes each way daily and between the gas mileage, how easy and fun it is to drive and the the practical use I get as a delivery vehicle, it really works for me. But I just had both CV axles replaced an 40 k miles and 3 recalls done. All at Fords expense but this car will be out of warranty in 10k. Are Mavericks just not well built and should I get rid of it before it goes out af drive train warranty? Curious to see other owners responses. I know on forums you always hear the bad stuff, but it seems to be a little worse for the Maverick.

Correct with recalls your Maverick may spend more time outside at a dealership waiting for parts that you behind the wheel for the 1st year…. or 2
36000 mile warranty then mostly all at your expense
All in all I think it is a great little truck once you get out all the bugs out

 

[FloodingdowninTX]

Also own a '22 hybrid. Not a lemon. An appliance that functions and fits in my garage. Never had a thing with axles. Software upgrades have become routine, but painless. Less than $20K base price for hybrids back then, hard to find anything used in that price range these days. Mine will not go up for sale this decade.

 

[Cromag]

I agree with Joe Strummer on this. Automakers are technology companies and as a result, cars are heavily controlled by computers. Just like a personal computer, they always need updates. It can be a pain but that's just how the new world is. If cars were still built the way they were say 20-30 years ago, it would be a non-issue. Some would like that but I don't mind. Software updates can make the driving experience even better than fresh out of the box.

As an example, we had a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE. It was the first model year of the fifth generation and with the new 8-speed automatic transmission. As a result, it had a major glitch in the transmission tuning in which it would heavily jerk and buck on slow rolls and short stops. One year later, there was a software update available that took an hour and a half to complete at the dealer. I had it done under warranty and the difference in the transmission was night and day. It shifted as it should and literally felt like I was driving a new car. So it goes to show even though cars nowadays are heavily computerized and seem to have more glitches than ever, some can be fixed with simple software updates like a personal computer and makes the experience that much better.

Joe Strummer lol

 

[710-oil-614]

I bought a 2022 Hybrid used. 28k when I bought it. I love this little truck. I commute 45 minutes each way daily and between the gas mileage, how easy and fun it is to drive and the the practical use I get as a delivery vehicle, it really works for me. But I just had both CV axles replaced an 40 k miles and 3 recalls done. All at Fords expense but this car will be out of warranty in 10k. Are Mavericks just not well built and should I get rid of it before it goes out af drive train warranty? Curious to see other owners responses. I know on forums you always hear the bad stuff, but it seems to be a little worse for the Maverick.

No, they are trucks.

 

[Montana]

I wouldn't buy a new vehicle without at least an 8 year total warranty now days. It doesn't matter what brand. And this is coming from someone that used to be against extended warranties. I'd never pay more than what I paid for the Granger one though. Spread that over the 8 years and it's cheap insurance. I do however think manufactures should be liable for longer than 3 years though. Standard warranties should be 5 year minimum now days.

The issue is production lines. Instead of making 100's, they now make 1,000's (not verbatim - just an example) and while those methods have very tight tolerances, the QC from humans has suffered a bit. Even still, it can't all be predicted and with giant companies pumping out thousands and hundreds of thousands, there will be some issues.

Is the Maverick a Lemon? No. It certainly had/has it's fair share of production issues though. Early on was not looking good and lots of people were vocal about it too. But keep in mind that people come to the internet to share these things and it gets seen as the majority. It's like the news. That said, again, it wasn't the greatest start. Post COVD production in general had suffered massively in QC and some of the vehicle designs that are the generation after are showing the cost cutting maneuvers - like the new Mustangs... hideously cheap looking.

So overall, it's not a bad vehicle, but it did have a rocky start. The smart move is insurance in the form of a warranty or like you said, 3 years and kiss it goodbye if you don't trust it after that. The problem with that nhow days is the cost of vehicles and interest rates. It doesn't make sense because if you are financing you will 100% lose money. There is no flipping with financing at 7%+. So do the smart thing and go into ANY new vehicle with caution. That's why I mentioned an 8 year plan minium now days. Most people are not paying off vehicles in cash and the market is a show. If you know you are paying for it with interest at these current rates, you better plan for the long run.

 

[LAClippers420]

You should’ve be alright, these things happen with all sort of vehicles. Quite annoying but not a lemon.

 

[commadorebob]

No issues with my 2023 Lariat EB with 4k tow

Same.

 

[dogtruck]

If you feel the need for an extended warranty, you have no longer any faith your level of care will ensure a high milage ride. That is why there are used car lots and...divorce lawyers.
Even Yugo owners knew when to pull the plug.

 

[Connect]

I'm at 10,500 miles, no issues yet. I hope it doesn't turn out to be a lemon ... but I've got a long warranty and I imagine Toyota will be out with their own version in a year or two

 

[Nw_adventure]

Cv axel's considered drivetrain and get the 5 year- 60K warranty ?

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

meh, Toyota Tacoma is made in Tijuana

 

[Jman79]

My best vehicle was a 2008 Saturn Vue assembled in Mexico. I am not sure what year you had but the 2008 was first year for the Opel copy cat model refresh. I sold it a few weeks ago and the woman who bought could not be happier.

Best here so far too, I had a 2004 FWD V6. And sold it in Feb when I got the Mav. Ran great, would drive that thing long distance without a second thought. No major work required.

The OG 4cyl Vue's with the CVT were crap though. Saturn replaced the CVT on 06 4cyl models if I recall correctly, because they sucked so bad and were causing all sorts of problems.

Drive train research is a must before buying. Though, no matter how much research you do there is always a 25% chance you get crap over the long run. Too many variables to predict.

Some brands do have better reliability overall but honestly that 25% (guestimate) above can bite you no matter what you buy. Every manufacturer has their crappy one offs, experiments, manufacturing blunders.

Eg. I love Honda's V6 drivetrain. It's a proven workhorse with decent efficiency, with an amazing reputation for reliability if well maintained. But every few years there are certain make / models buck the reliability trend because they changed something up.

 

[Montana]

I've said for years now the thing that prevents me from buying another Toyota are the dealers. No matter how much you might think Ford dealers are rip off artists they don't hold a candle to Toyota dealers, at least here in the southeast.

That and cost now. They are having trouble selling the new Tacoma's for good reasons. Nobody wants to pay that much.

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