Asking FORD to buyback my Lariat Hybrid

[RickG]

Here is the post summarized by ChatGPT:

"A long-time Ford customer is requesting a buyback of their 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid due to a brake failure that occurred after just four months of ownership. The brake malfunction, which happened at 4,970 miles, caused the vehicle to roll unexpectedly, and faults were displayed. The truck has been in the shop since, and despite Ford's efforts, the issue remains unresolved. The couple is concerned about the potential safety risks, especially had the failure occurred at higher speeds. They are asking Ford to buy back the vehicle and reimburse them $2,500 for additional costs."

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[RickG]

Tough one. In the shop since Sept 10? In my mind unacceptable.

What dealer are you using.
I’m also driving a 24 Lariat hybrid. One month newer, but only 2600 miles.

I agree that is unacceptable but probably not uncommon at some dealers if you don't pester the service manager.

Optional reading: I once had a window regulator go out and I needed it fixed before going on a long trip. The dealer kept my car for a couple weeks and no fix, no communications. They could have at least told me they couldn't get the official Ford part. Long story short I had to tape the window in the closed position to go on the trip. Upon return I found a way to fix it on YouTube. Bought a 3rd party regulator and fixed it myself taking less than 2 hours and saved $500.

 

[REIMANOV]

We have been loyal Ford owners for 12 years and were excited to purchase a new vehicle this year. Unfortunately, after just four months of ownership, my wife and I have decided to ask Ford to buy back our 2024 Maverick Lariat Hybrid.

We’ve experienced significant issues with the truck’s brakes, and despite our hopes for a resolution, the problem persists. We’ve reached out to our Ford handler with our request for a buyback. This situation is very upsetting for us, as we had high expectations for this vehicle.

It’s a sad day for us, as we've always trusted Ford and its commitment to quality.


Email:
As you already know, I am writing for my wife and me regarding a serious issue with our 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid, which we took ownership of in May 2024. We were excited to purchase this fully-loaded vehicle, expecting reliability and safety. Unfortunately, we encountered a significant safety concern that deeply unsettled us.
On September 10th, with only 4,970 miles on the truck, we experienced a brake failure that could have resulted in a severe accident. While attempting to reverse out of our driveway with the brake pedal fully pressed and the start button engaged, the truck unexpectedly rolled backward out of the driveway. This was alarming, as the brake pedal was firmly engaged, yet the vehicle continued to move. After returning to the driveway, the check engine light, ABS fault, and parking brake faults were all illuminated.

I contacted Ford immediately, and the vehicle was towed to the dealership the next day. We were told that the likely issue was a faulty electronic brake booster controller, and Ford generously provided a rental car while our truck remains in the shop. The truck is still in the shop.

What is most distressing is how this issue could have played out under different circumstances. We are incredibly grateful that this brake failure occurred in our driveway and not while traveling at high speeds on the freeway, where the potential for a catastrophic accident would have been much higher. This malfunction could have led to serious injury to my family or another family on the freeway, which is a risk we cannot ignore.
Given the serious nature of this issue and the continued delay in resolution, my wife and I kindly request that Ford buy back our truck and reimburse us the $2,500 we spent on the window tint and front Paint Protection Film.

We truly appreciate the quality Ford vehicles are known for and the prompt assistance provided by your team so far. However, the safety of our family is paramount, and this experience has severely shaken our confidence in this particular vehicle. Given the circumstances, we believe that a buyback is the most appropriate course of action.

We look forward to your response and a swift resolution to this matter.

Thank you for your attention.

Ford just bought back my Maverick here in California last week. It was super straightforward and the process took less than a month. Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help.

 

[Matt_SC]

Most new vehicles are “brake by wire”. This means the brake pedal is not connected to the brakes. The pedal is connected to a sensor that is connected to the computer that is connected to the actual brake system. Switching models or brands will not eliminate the possibility of a firm brake pedal not actually applying the brakes. Our only choice is to have faith it will work (or drive older well maintained vehicles).
If it any comfort, jet planes have been using the same type of systems for decades.

Can you provide a link to back up the claim that “most new cars” are “brake by wire”?

Electric parking brakes aside, I don’t believe most, or the Maverick, are brake by wire.

 

[HeyBales]

Can you provide a link to back up the claim that “most new cars” are “brake by wire”?

Electric parking brakes aside, I don’t believe most, or the Maverick, are brake by wire.

Ya - perhaps limited to hybrids & electric since there is the regen braking before or along with the hydraulics are called on for the pad movement.

Now - steering by wire on the other hand...

 

[Matt_SC]

Ya - perhaps limited to hybrids & electric since there is the regen braking before or along with the hydraulics are called on for the pad movement.

Now - steering by wire on the other hand...

hybrids and electric still have the brake pedal connected to the hydraulic system, which is connected to the brake pistons

also not very many steer by wire vehicles; the cybertruck is the only vehicle on the road now that has it I believe. Electric steering assist is getting more common for sure, probably the majority by now but there is still a physical steering shaft connected to the rack

 

[Samsin361]

Tough one. In the shop since Sept 10? In my mind unacceptable.

What dealer are you using.
I’m also driving a 24 Lariat hybrid. One month newer, but only 2600 miles.

Ford El Cajon

 

[JimInWI]

Not all, plus they have a redundant systems. Not sure of any auto makers that have redundancy for the daily driver.

As a retired Airbus (electric airplane) Captain, I can tell you that aircraft brakes and parking brakes can, and do fail despite there being back-up systems. I have been there and done that.

I would be very surprised that there is only one path to make the brakes work on a vehicle.

I see in the original post here, no attempt to use any back-up systems that exist on the vehicle, the parking brake or putting the transmission in park.

I’ve also been in a mechanically braked vehicle and needed to use the parking brake lever to stop, and got nothing from it as well.

People didn‘t trust fly-by-wire technology when it came out, but it is now the choice way to fly aircraft. Cars and trucks benefit from electronic control as well. A mechanical ABS is no where as effective as an electronic one. The vehicle stops quicker and under control than the mechanical one every time. The electronics simply process the environment faster and apply the exact right amount input to effectively stop the vehicle.

It’s hard to give up that feeling of direct control, but it is the safer thing to do.

 

[JetFixxxer]

As a retired Airbus (electric airplane) Captain, I can tell you that aircraft brakes and parking brakes can, and do fail despite there being back-up systems. I have been there and done that.

I would be very surprised that there is only one path to make the brakes work on a vehicle.

I see in the original post here, no attempt to use any back-up systems that exist on the vehicle, the parking brake or putting the transmission in park.

I’ve also been in a mechanically braked vehicle and needed to use the parking brake lever to stop, and got nothing from it as well.

People didn‘t trust fly-by-wire technology when it came out, but it is now the choice way to fly aircraft. Cars and trucks benefit from electronic control as well. A mechanical ABS is no where as effective as an electronic one. The vehicle stops quicker and under control than the mechanical one every time. The electronics simply process the environment faster and apply the exact right amount input to effectively stop the vehicle.

It’s hard to give up that feeling of direct control, but it is the safer thing to do.

Anything can and will fail. Even the "that's impossible" from the engineers.

Boeing used not having FBW as a selling point at one time. *It was kind of a dig at Airbus when they had an accident when the one crew member was trying to pitch up and other crew member was trying to pitch down and they couldn't tell who was doing what (non AFU).

*A few retired Delta Pilots confirmed this after an airframe class I took when the instructor mentioned this during the AFU / Arthur Q. lesson.

 

[JimInWI]

Anything can and will fail. Even the "that's impossible" from the engineers.

Boeing used not having FBW as a selling point at one time. It was kind of a dig at Airbus when they had an accident when the one crew member was trying to pitch up and other crew member was trying to pitch down and they couldn't tell who was doing what.

They sure did, but virtually every new aircraft is fly-by-wire now, no matter the manufacturer. The F-16 pioneered it in the military world and many airframes in the military now couldn’t fly without it.

It’s kind of the same transition that was made from flight controls directly hooked to the control surfaces to flight controls hooked to hydraulic servos to move the control surfaces. That enabled higher speed flight by lightening up the force required to move the flight controls, but it took away direct feedback to the pilot.

The Boeing marketing thing was because Airbus chose to implement fly-by-wire without the weight penalty to replicate stick movement for both sticks. That has been a factor in a couple of accidents, but the root cause in each of those was pilot inexperience and inappropriate action taken. Airbus has offered to implement the moving control stick tech on new aircraft, but once pilots fly without it and learn the system, they actually prefer to have the non-moving stick with the override (priority) switch So nobody wants it.

I was a Boeing only guy from 1986 until I was forced to the Airbus 20 years later. Once I flew the Airbus and learned the aircraft, I far preferred it to the Boeing. Boeings flew like a semi.. The Airbus flew like a sports car.

 

[Hoagus]

Sounds like you’re rich, so just donate that piece of junk to a charity and take the tax write-off

 

[tom_tucker]

Yeah, we’ve definitely learned our lesson with this purchase. Given how long my wife and I tend to keep our vehicles, the Paint Protection Film (PPF) seemed like a wise investment. Our primary vehicle is a 2014 Ford Escape, which we flat-tow behind our RV for vacations. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot from the dings and scratches on the front end of that vehicle.

We also have a 2006 Dodge 1-ton diesel for work and hauling home project materials and a 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage, which is my commuter vehicle—both of which we are the original owners of. The Maverick Hybrid was intended to replace the Mirage and be outfitted for flat towing.

Next time, we’ll wait a bit before investing in PPF!

It's a tough situation, sorry. As you can see, I've spent almost $5k on Maverick aftermarket, without any paint protection (beyond splash guards) and no window tint! So I'm gambling too...

ARE MX bed cap	$3,137
Ford Points stuff:	$168
Ford Splash Guards
Sunshade
Bed Mat
Tailgate liner
Tailgate seal	$25
Toros Pro 4 roof rack	$200
stubby antenna	$20
Screen protector	$20
Towel seat cover	$27
Blue Sea 4363 12v	$46
Tie downs	$29
XL Steel Wheel set	$500
Winter tires (future)	$700
Total spent on accessories	$4,872

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[JetFixxxer]

It's a tough situation, sorry. As you can see, I've spent almost $5k on Maverick aftermarket, without any paint protection (beyond splash guards) and no window tint! So I'm gambling too...

ARE MX bed cap	$3,137
Ford Points stuff:	$168
Ford Splash Guards
Sunshade
Bed Mat
Tailgate liner
Tailgate seal	$25
Toros Pro 4 roof rack	$200
stubby antenna	$20
Screen protector	$20
Towel seat cover	$27
Blue Sea 4363 12v	$46
Tie downs	$29
XL Steel Wheel set	$500
Winter tires (future)	$700
Total spent on accessories	$4,872

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It's always a gamble. Just like some some people have a horrible experience with Ford and their products and others don't.

I switch from driving only VW's until 1994 when I purchased my first Ford. Been with Ford ever since. I haven't had any crazy experiences besides the normal wear and tear of items. Until I get burnt by Ford I will purchase my remaining vehicles from Ford.

 

[Rmengel]

In MI you call the lemon law lawyers and let them handle it

 

[AlsMaverick]

Another reason I HATE the parking/emergency electronic brake. Should be a darn manual CABLE. Should be a nation wide LAW.

With all due respect, you're out of touch. Aircraft have been fly by wire for decades. Have done much better. I'm sure you have no data to support your assertion. ;-)

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