It’s officially a lemon!

[Tonyd322]

Hard to believe you would sell it back over something that minor, did they give you a loaner while you were waiting for two months? I have the same issue, but I’m driving it while waiting for the exhaust system to come in. My Maverick has gone completely dead twice and I’ve taken it to the dealership and had electrical cables replaced both times. it pisses me off, but I’m not giving up on this vehicle.


I’ll still keep it because I love the 42 mpg’s. First year models always have bugs that need to be worked out.

you should’ve either kept it or sold it yourself for a profit. The dealership got the W on this one.

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[OleFordGuy]

I pretty sure but not positive that on a lemon buyback the vehicle has to be titled back to the manufacturer, so the dealer is for the most part out of the picture unless ford sells it back to them. It will probably go to an auction is my guess. By the time the OP pays off the loan, $ is deducted for all the mileage (seems like it had like 13,000 miles in one of his post previously, ford won't credit him for all the aftermarket parts, SIBL, etc, I'm guessing he won't come out on top with the buy back. Haven't noticed him posting anything new lately, he may have already checked out. Anyways, wish him the best.

 

[BradnChristine]

I've seen a couple of post where folks are indignant and tell people things like "You should make Ford buy it back1" when something goes wrong. No way in hell do I want to LET Ford buy it back. I'd want them to FIX my truck, and they ARE obligated to do that. I'd be resisting any offer to "buy it back." It took too long to get it in the first place.

So far (about 500 miles), I love my Lariat...but I do have a voltage checker/USB plug in the car and I am getting a little nervous about seeing 11.9v when I get in and everything lights up. But it starts and says Ready with no problem, so not a concern yet.

 

[FunctionSpec]

This is a great vid. Thx for sharing it.

I'd also thought another risk to the plastic assembly is a coolant leak, and this owner thinks that can also happen. There are F150 PowerBoost that have a coolant leak for the hybrid heat exchanger. I only mention the F150 PowerBoost because my dealer asked a tech when they found the same symptoms that our Hybrid Mavs have. And this owner's vid confirms the PowerBoost F150s have these risks as well.

If I ever run into this issue, I'm hoping I can just bypass the heat exchanger as I live in an environment that's warm most of the year. Looking to get a ScanGauge 3, I think there is an option to monitor hybrid battery temps. Got some extra Motorcraft coolant just in case for any leaks lol.

 

[dhill59]

I had a 1992 Mercury Capri that was bought back by Ford under the Lemon Law in Virginia. The issues with it were it had to be started twice every time (it would stall on the first start). Most importantly, the paint was washing off. I was given MSRP MINUS a cents per mile deduction (I did get use of the vehicle - hence the deduction). Ford will not give you what you paid the dealer for the vehicle - so if you paid an ADM, UR SOL.

 

[TheStang]

Seems like you are hustling backward. You should have posted your issues here before making the lemon law claim

 

[yoyomav]

If I ever run into this issue, I'm hoping I can just bypass the heat exchanger as I live in an environment that's warm most of the year. Looking to get a ScanGauge 3, I think there is an option to monitor hybrid battery temps. Got some extra Motorcraft coolant just in case for any leaks lol.

I'll be doing the same. Mixing plastic part with hot exhaust is pretty idiotic design.

Unfortunately I live in the north but I'll rather deal with the reduced gas mileage than to replacing the whole rear exhaust for thousands and only to have it fail again.

 

[yoyomav]

The OP's decision to not drive around with a CEL makes sense to me.

My Mav has had the Heat Exchanger codes since February, and after another trip to the dealer yesterday, I was told to call back after May 15th. That'll be 5,000 miles driving around with a CEL lit on a vehicle that's about 1 year old.

Supposedly, my CEL codes about the heat exchanger valve is OK to drive around failed. This last dealer confirmed that Ford does have a tech bulletin about this. Interesting ... think about that one.

One of the P codes (there are 3-4 that folks have reported on this forum and my Mav has 3 codes) sounds like the exchangers valve is probably stuck. It could be stuck open or closed. Hybrid heat exchangers preheat several things, and evidently route for this heated coolant line is the HV battery. If the valve is stuck open, then the coolant will continue to heat up the HV battery. "Overheated" and "HV batteries" shouldn't be said in the same sentence. Or, the valve could be stuck closed. That's not good in winter. LiOn doesn't do well when its temp is below freezing. Several folks on this forum have had the codes go off over this past winter including me. Depending on how cold everyone's winters are, a closed valve is also a risk. Eitherway, if the exchangers valve is stuck, there's at least 1 component -- the HV LiOn battery -- that could be negatively affected.

I'm not trying to doomsday scare people. It will drive, sure enough, but let's hope someone smart really took at look at this situation, especially for us Hybrids. Ford has a tech bulletin where somebody in Corp decided any risks, like the 1 example above about the valve being stuck, are a non-issue. Those of us with CELs are told to keep driving.

The OP has decided that's too great a risk. Actually, the OP's dealer kinda made that decision for them by keeping the Mav for 2 months.

I'm sure there are temperature sensors in the HV battery module. If the valve is stuck closed in winter all you get is the battery will take longer to start charging / discharging thus affecting mileage.

But agree that valve stuck open might be an issue, if the heat from the exchanger exceeds the ability of the cooling system to remove the heat.

 

[JayBoegs]

That sucks. I remember my folks got a Chrysler lemon back in the 70s. It happens. Sorry it happened to you.

 

[James K]

Seems like a terrible dealer. Exhaust and muffler problem is drivable until parts come in. Been waiting since Feb. myself. Giving up a truck you say you love seems odd. I get you've been out a truck for 2 months but only because of a dumbass dealership.

I agree that it's the dealer but last time I told someone the dealer was at fault for not doing a good delivery prep the person came back saying dealer was great but Ford was at fault. I suspect the dealer blew smoke up the customers XXX and the customer bought it. Dealers are supposed to make things right and if manufactures fault, bill them.

 

[XLTLUXRED]

Seems like a terrible dealer. Exhaust and muffler problem is drivable until parts come in. Been waiting since Feb. myself. Giving up a truck you say you love seems odd. I get you've been out a truck for 2 months but only because of a dumbass dealership.

Hey, we also have been waiting since February for the exhaust and muffler parts to arrive. I called again today and now the update is "maybe May 29th, but not guaranteed." Basically, once a month they say it will be one more month. Yes, it's safe to drive, but our truck has been out of inspection since the end of March! It's just a matter of time until we're stopped. We have a note in our glove compartment from the service department saying it's safe to drive, but will that carry weight with an officer who is there to enforce the law? I'm so frustrated that it's taking this long for a part! Sure wish I'd had the sense to buy something else...though we really do love the truck otherwise...!

 

[XLTLUXRED]

While I am sure there is probably some personal satisfaction in having it declared a lemon, wouldn't CarMax have given you more for it?

How much longer were exhaust parts going to take? Could have rented a car for a month and made more money in the end I think.

I'm going on 3 months waiting for the same part with no guarantee as to when the part will arrive, and I'm way past inspection. Can't get a new inspection sticker until the part comes and is installed, because the check engine light keeps coming on.

 

[Maverickshudder]

You are correct(partially), typical lemon laws have an " either/or" : either a set number of attempts at fixing the same concern without resolve, or the vehicle is in the shop for one repair and that repair attempt exceeds a set amount of consecutive days without resolve.

 

[Maverickshudder]

Hi my maverick has been at the ford dealer for 3 weeks now to fix shudder issue which they say is the front axle . The part came in but they say they are busy and haven’t had the chance to fix it . They gave me a new bronco which Iam racking up the miles . Just don’t know how long I should wait ?

 

[Bushpilot]

Hi my maverick has been at the ford dealer for 3 weeks now to fix shudder issue which they say is the front axle . The part came in but they say they are busy and haven’t had the chance to fix it . They gave me a new bronco which Iam racking up the miles . Just don’t know how long I should wait ?

Wait as long as they let you have that Bronco. Miles on someone else's vehicle = win!

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