Maverick Hybrid Died on Freeway this Morning - Completely Unanticipated

[smoreho2]

I was driving at highway speed on I 75 through Cincinnati this morning and without warning my 2022 Hybrid Maverick stalled while I was in the middle lane. Fortunately I was able to quickly get over to the shoulder but had absolutely no power. When I realized the engine was dead an warning message came up on the dash, saying the vehicle won't operate in that gear. I looked down and the shift wheel was in the drive position, but the orange light was not lit on the shifter. I then got error messages, Service Engine Soon Warning, Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power Warning, Pre-Collision Assist Not Available Warning. This was really rattling, to have a modern vehicle, with only 18,000 miles stop operating in heavy traffic at 65 MPH. Recently, the radio has been getting really loud momentarily, but no other issues

Ford Roadside Assistance was terrible. I was stopped in a dangerous spot and was relegated to fill out an online form to request service while I prayed no one going by would go off the road and hit me. The form didn't auto fill my VIN Number and I had to type it from my insurance card (not realizing it was in the Ford app). The GPS had me miles away from where I was actually broken down and wouldn't save the changes I made to my real location. Although I was In a hazardous area and in some danger, I had to call and say agent over and over again to speak to a person who informed me that no tow truck would be dispatched because the dealership I chose is too far away. For $60 I could get a wrecker to take my dead vehicle to my chosen dealership but no one was coming until I give my credit card number. At this point I had been there for almost an hour not knowing they hadn't dispatched a tow truck yet and had no idea where I actually was. I reluctantly paid, but ended up waiting 3 hours total for a tow, just waiting to get creamed by a semi. By the time the wrecker arrived, the battery was completely dead by just running the hazard flashers. Nothing else was turned on, the key was out of the ignition.

This whole experience has me uneasy about trusting my Maverick going forward and will pay for AAA to avoid dealing with the overseas third party company Ford has hired to manage roadside assistance.

Has anyone had a similar breakdown experience? If so, what was the cause and fix? Again, almost two years old and only 18,000 miles. Thanks in advance for the feedback and insight.

Did you recently have any recalls/updates done by the Ford dealer before this happened?

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[LAClippers420]

It’s a shame that this has become a well known issue after certain software updates. Ford is really dropping the ball with this. Miss the days when cars didn’t have so much tech involved.

 

[jayant1]

@Ford Motor Company, I understand you monitor these forums. As the day goes on, the more upset I get. An early 70s AMC would be more dependable. My dealer is working hard on troubleshooting but by all rights I could have been killed because of this. I'm apprehensive about ever driving it again.

 

[1929]

Suggestion: No AAA, switch to Geico, their roadside assistance is the best and cheap

Is Geico roadside assistance available to Geico policyholders only? How far will Geico tow? What is the cost per year?

 

[1929]

@Ford Motor Company, I understand you monitor these forums. As the day goes on, the more upset I get. An early 70s AMC would be more dependable. My dealer is working hard on troubleshooting but by all rights I could have been killed because of this. I'm apprehensive about ever driving it again.

Did you recently have any recalls/updates done by the Ford dealer before this happened?

 

[jayant1]

Did you recently have any recalls/updates done by the Ford dealer before this happened?

Yes, I think there were two in February.

 

[KevCuRaoi]

Yes, I think there were two in February.

Tell the service dept to check hotline reports. There are a couple of reports relating to your problem, where ford Technical Assistance Centers advises to update PCM & SOBDMC.
It is very likely that the software update from the recall cause the problem, and the latest update should fix it.

 

[rclee]

Tell the service dept to check hotline reports. There are a couple of reports relating to your problem, where ford Technical Assistance Centers advises to update PCM & SOBDMC.
It is very likely that the software update from the recall cause the problem, and the latest update should fix it.

Thank you Kevin for being on the MTC! I am due for an Oil change and tire rotation. I have been watching this issue. I put off the oil change until they get a handle on this. Do you think it is safe to have the recalls done during my oil change?

 

[Deleted member 7089]

Completely Unanticipated

How could it not be?

 

[23grayXLT84]

We need someone with access to some dealer bulletins to post whatever information is rumored to be available.

Heard an update was issued mid March, then today someone posted something to be available in a month !

 

[KevCuRaoi]

Thank you Kevin for being on the MTC! I am due for an Oil change and tire rotation. I have been watching this issue. I put off the oil change until they get a handle on this. Do you think it is safe to have the recalls done during my oil change?

I would think so. Ford put a hold on the recall (so dealers weren't supposed to do it) in mid/late March. On the March 22nd there was another message saying that the issue had been resolved. I haven't seen/heard of anyone who had the recall/updated after March 22nd who has had this issue, so I would consider it safe by now.

I had my recall done in mid January. No problems. I haven't heard of anyone that early having issues either, so I think the issue is limited to recalls performed Feb through mid-March. If I hadn't had my recall already done, I would feel ok about having it done now.

I read through the hotline reports myself and the FSEs (Field Service Engineer) recommended updating those modules to solve problems that arose after the recalls were done. Based on those reports, it looks like the updated updates solved the problems people were having.

 

[KevCuRaoi]

We need someone with access to some dealer bulletins to post whatever information is rumored to be available.

Heard an update was issued mid March, then today someone posted something to be available in a month !

Ford hasn't issue a bulletin about this yet (that I know of).

As far as I know, a software update that will fix this problem is available now.

 

[Walter56]

I have been watching this forum since I ordered my 2024 xlt hybrid for 8 months. It appears the 2022 models were rushed out the door without sufficient software testing. Further, software recalls do not seem to fix any of the issues and in some cases make the problems worse. My 2024 now has 1200 miles on it, a blend of highway and city driving; no issues and after two tanks of premium fuel I am getting 44+ MPG. I will not do any of the software recalls and frankly will not be taking it to any ford dealership. I added the six year extended warranty, which the small town ford dealer I bought from heavily discounted. I feel by 2024 most of the bugs with the hybrid were fixed (hope so) and I advise any of you that passed on an extended warranty to get one while you still can. As an aside, I read a recent article that said the longest in service New York City taxicabs were Escape hybrids (can't remember where I saw this) which gives me hope the powertrain is reliable. To all you 22/23 hybrid owners perhaps some genius will sort out the glitches otherwise it appears a class action lawsuit is forthcoming.

I'm kind of glad I had 18 months to wait to get my 2024. Fingers crossed.
I had a 2007 escape hybrid that went 230k between me and my son and for all I know is still on the road. Tank

 

[Walter56]

I am thinking more and more that the hybrid voltage converter is faulty and is causing this loss of power for hybrid owners.

Big issue with gen2 Chevy bolts as well. Currently under recall

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