Are Mavericks Lemons?

[son of a ..sven]

I change my mavericks oil at 5k, our explorers about every 2k. I just like to baby things . Will our maverick go to hell? I don't know, time will tell. Aside from some interior rattles, it's been solid thus far. I've just tried to get out of my own head lately. I'd admittedly very, very bad at this. It's kind of hard to describe, but my brain runs through worst case scenarios 24/7. I've just tried to adopt an if it happens, it happens, mentality, and not drive myself crazy in the meantime.

I have the same miles on mine. It' only late at night when I start thinking the worst scenarios...breaking down in the desert, etc. I calm myself by reading a Tony Hillerman book. Che and the rest of the characters in the southwest fiction novels...19 of them.

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[BradnChristine]

I have the same miles on mine. It' only late at night when I start thinking the worst scenarios...breaking down in the desert, etc. I calm myself by reading a Tony Hillerman book. Che and the rest of the characters in the southwest fiction novels...19 of them.

Speaking of desert breakdowns...I bought a used 2013 C-Max out of warranty (both time and mileage). About 38,000 miles on it, and I used to cross the Mojave Desert twice a month.

I shut the car off in a rest area that was at least 100 miles into the desert. When I turned it back on, the dash reposrted "Service Power Steering Soon". (The same type of EPAS system that the Maverick has.) I drove it home and shut it off in my driveway 100 miles later to unload it. Then I turned it back on and got a "Power Steering Failure" and the little C-Max felt like a 50's truck. I was able to drive it to the dealer, about 3 miles from home, but it took a LOT of effort to push the EPAS around and get it there. $1890 later, I had a new steering unit. Just another reason I always get an ESP warranty. I loved the car and bought a 2017 C-Max shortly thereafter to be able to get an ESP warranty for it.

The lesson here is, if you EVER get a "Service Power Steering" notice, know that you likely have ONE and ONLY ONE re-start available before your power steering is gone. I have not heard of this issue with any Maverick yet, but when I filed with the NHTSB, I found many Ford EPAS system complaints for several vehicles.

 

[Cromag]

That's odd, we got the hybrid shudder update done some time ago, and it hasn't come up once in the months since. Yours is the first example I've seen of that software update not being super effective.

Everything is great now but Ford replaced the half axles

 

[icegradner]

But the obvious third explanation is... plenty of people are just legitimately not having any issues with their Maverick.

Maybe not yet, but they will. Anything with moving parts will have issues, just a matter of time. I didn't have any issues early on either, but as time and miles marches on, they come up. Some have more than others, and the Maverick is sure up there on the more than others list.

And before anyone says "it's because you have a hybrid", nah most of the real issues are basic shared parts, like the tail lights (popping out of the clips), third brake light (condensation inside, common problem with a unit shared across Ford trucks), tailgate cables aren't the same length, the infotainment system (popping noises and random volume spikes) and such.

 

[Cromag]

I ask again: What are the substandard parts?

Half Axles

 

[Cromag]

Keep us updated, hope your truck doesn't give you any more problems. Thanks for Sharing.

It's back to like new now. I'll drive it until warranty is up and make a decision on extended warranty or trade in for a newer model that has the kinks worked out

 

[OneAlienBoi]

Maybe not yet, but they will. Anything with moving parts will have issues, just a matter of time. I didn't have any issues early on either, but as time and miles marches on, they come up. Some have more than others, and the Maverick is sure up there on the more than others list.

And before anyone says "it's because you have a hybrid", nah most of the real issues are basic shared parts, like the tail lights (popping out of the clips), third brake light (condensation inside, common problem with a unit shared across Ford trucks), tailgate cables aren't the same length, the infotainment system (popping noises and random volume spikes) and such.

I don't believe most people will have issues, the more complex machines get, the more they tend to vary in quality control and long term reliability, there's a ton of variables there. There's a reason some Boeing aircraft are in service for 30 years with no major issues, and others are a month old with their doors blowing off in flight and having wheels fall off. They're the same model of plane built in the same factory by the same people more often than not, but small variances make a huge difference in terms of outcome.

 

[icegradner]

I don't believe most people will have issues, the more complex machines get, the more they tend to vary in quality control and long term reliability, there's a ton of variables there. There's a reason some Boeing aircraft are in service for 30 years with no major issues, and others are a month old with their doors blowing off in flight and having wheels fall off. They're the same model of plane built in the same factory by the same people more often than not, but small variances make a huge difference in terms of outcome.

I get it, you are a glass is always full kind of guy, which is nice, we need people like you to think positively. I on the other hand like to look at both sides of the coin and realize in real life stuff happens to everyone and everything and nothing is perfect. Even that 30 year old Boeing had a lot of maintenance done to keep it flying. The world needs both to help us getting a better picture of reality, because neither are right, 100% of the time.

 

[MavDan]

I don't think so and yet at the same time this is my first new car that I don't trust.

 

[CurtisB]

We both love our Mavericks, and the software recalls are just a minor annoyance. The dealership did one on the 2023 in the driveway, and I'll likely have them do this new one (due on the 2023 AND the 2024) in the driveway as well. Last time I asked, the dealership said it was "good for the Service Dept metrics" for me to have it done at home instead of driving 3 miles to the dealer.

Not a lemon in any way. Comfortable and reliable.

I just wish I could understand the BMS stuff better and that would have comforted me during this first year. I used to have a lot of Deep Sleep warnings, so my solution was to put a jump box in each, just in case. But I've never had to use it. At the first service, I asked them to test the battery and they reported it was good in March, when the truck was 12 months old and about 3800 miles.

Now after 14 months, the deep sleep warnings are GONE. I've seen folks throw new batteries at their Mavericks, and sometimes have the dealer replace them, even more than once...but my original battery is doing just fine. It has definitely gotten BETTER over time. The BMS must be learning and adjusting as time goes by, but that cannot happen if new batteries keep getting installed. I do try to always lock it, but am always walking by it with the Fob in my pocket. Whatever has happened, it ended my Deep Sleep warnings.

Since I tow it with supplemental braking, I just repurposed an extra RV shunt with bluetooth voltage monitor to ensure I don't get into a low battery situation on my next trip.

I see that my battery is holding at 12.45v for days now, when I used to see a VERY quick drop to 11.9v after shutdown. (Only the voltage is valid, as the shunt is not needed to be fully connected):

So the question I have is did your truck come with an AGM battery or a flooded battery? It seems that some Mavericks came with the stock AGM battery and are doing fine.

 

[Old Fart]

When we get back to civilization I'm buying the warranty, it's a great truck when it is but a Turd when it gets out of alignment with the moon and the stars.....I wish I knew when that was.

 

[FloodingdowninTX]

Half Axles

I respect your experience. My same age hybrid gets very low miles. Warranty is said to be 50K or 5 years for transmission. Mine will probably go years. Are the ecvt axles considered drivetrain or transmission, by your dealer/repair guys? I hope neither of us has this issue in the future.

 

[Cromag]

So the question I have is did your truck come with an AGM battery or a flooded battery? It seems that some Mavericks came with the stock AGM battery and are doing fine.

Yeah. The software recalls and "updates” don't really bother me, but the drivetrain issues at40 k do

I respect your experience. My same age hybrid gets very low miles. Warranty is said to be 50K or 5 years for transmission. Mine will probably go years. Are the ecvt axles considered drivetrain or transmission, by your dealer/repair guys? I hope neither of us has this issue in the future.

they call them half axles and yes Lief Johnson Ford fixed everything under warranty. 4 software updates and both half axles. Truck is back to normal. We will see how it go’s

 

[FloodingdowninTX]

Wow, Leif Johnson are my guys here in A-town!
But do they consider this potential problem an 8 year warranty thing or 5/50K?

 

[Cromag]

Wow, Leif Johnson are my guys here in A-town!
But do they consider this potential problem an 8 year warranty thing or 5/50K?

I'm not sure if the half axles have deem redesigned. I'm going to either buy a warranty or trade it in before it gets to 50k.

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