Maverick Steering Issues - Bad Sound

[Mr. Twister]

Anyone have any idea what this is? My brand new 2026 Maverick has been making this sound since second month of ownership, less than 600 miles. Can anyone help identify the issue? See the video here:

My dealer service is saying they can’t find the issue. It’s defeaning and embarrassing. Sounds horrible. Happens pretty much every drive now above 30 minutes +-. Occurs while driving and while parked and will sometimes last for days. Occasionally it will disappear if parked overnight, but will reemerge after driving for approximately 30 minutes especially on highway. Perhaps this is why my dealer doesn’t hear it when they let it sit parked for days and then just throw it on the lift to look. They’re apparently not driving it.

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[Mr. Twister]

Video 2 of Maverick steering noise while driving.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Geez something’s not right So did you let the dealer tech listen to your video?

 

[bgn]

My dealer service is saying they can’t find the issue.

Here's the translation from Dealerese to English: we don't care to find your issue with the tools available to us because we'd rather take someone else's money and make more.

Recommend going to another dealer.

 

[Mr. Twister]

Geez something’s not right So did you let the dealer tech listen to your video?

Hey! Yes they have the videos, multiple, and service schedulers heard it in person. I've had a loaner for a week and they're saying they can't hear it . I'm about to pick it up, drive it 30 mins or so then let them enjoy the symphony of sound.

 

[rclee]

It sounds like an old ship groaning. I would definitely show the dealer the video. You can request to have the service manager ride along with you. Mention it when you schedule your service visit.

 

[Mr. Twister]

Here's the translation from Dealerese to English: we don't care to find your issue with the tools available to us because we'd rather take someone else's money and make more.

Recommend going to another dealer.

I purchased from these guys. Traded a 2022 Bronco fro this after several unfixable recalls. I still get recall letters on that Bronco. I want to support Ford and did my best to stay with them but these build issues and lack of quality make hard. Love this Maverick otherwise. Quality can't possibly be this horrid.

 

[Mr. Twister]

It sounds like an old ship groaning. I would definitely show the dealer the video. You can request to have the service manager ride along with you. Mention it when you schedule your service visit.

You can hear it when I pull up. Old ironsides pulling in. Embarrassing

 

[OleFordGuy]

Hey! Yes they have the videos, multiple, and service schedulers heard it in person. I've had a loaner for a week and they're saying they can't hear it . I'm about to pick it up, drive it 30 mins or so then let them enjoy the symphony of sound.

Wow, well if they keep giving you line of crap I’d go straight to the service manager or general manager of the dealership, other than that, use a different dealership. Sounds like their making a half hearted attempt at even caring

 

[Ecorydr]

Anyone have any idea what this is? My brand new 2026 Maverick has been making this sound since second month of ownership, less than 600 miles. Can anyone help identify the issue? See the video here:

My dealer service is saying they can’t find the issue. It’s defeaning and embarrassing. Sounds horrible. Happens pretty much every drive now above 30 minutes +-. Occurs while driving and while parked and will sometimes last for days. Occasionally it will disappear if parked overnight, but will reemerge after driving for approximately 30 minutes especially on highway. Perhaps this is why my dealer doesn’t hear it when they let it sit parked for days and then just throw it on the lift to look. They’re apparently not driving it.

Are you sure its in the column? You say you heard it while parked as well.... did you try to have someone else turn the wheel (when making noise) while parked with the hood open too and listen for the noise under the hood to ensure its really in the column? Would give it a try as well. Might help you isolate the issue when explaining to the service dept.

 

[Mr. Twister]

It sounds like an old ship groaning. I would definitely show the dealer the video. You can request to have the service manager ride along with you. Mention it when you schedule your service visit.

They rode along and heard it. Not sure why after a week they're saying it's not "persistent" enough . Seriously? It affects the steering as well. Getting dangerous.

 

[HeyBales]

They rode along and heard it. Not sure why after a week they're saying it's not "persistent" enough . Seriously? It affects the steering as well. Getting dangerous.

Effects the steering - in what way if the noise is left out of it?
With a good description - a NHTSA report should be filed - just in case there are others.

Since it's not constant - doesn't seem it can be a rubbing part in the column.
Not exactly a location that get's warmed up to cause movement to now rub 2 things.

You pointed out being in Drive in 1 video, does it have to be in drive, or even in park it'll do the sound?

Suggestion to open hood was good. Since it uses electronic steering, it could be exactly like the drivers that found an issue with the Electronic Power Brake system.

Also, though it will be harder to hear with engine running while driving - Sport drive mode does remapping of the steering feel.
So after it's started doing it - switch to Sport mode and drive for a bit.
Then stop so ICE goes off, and see if sound is different on turning wheel.
If videoing - don't talk so much over the sound.

So there are changes to the amount of power applied of course, even for the emergency braking response.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Hey! Yes they have the videos, multiple, and service schedulers heard it in person. I've had a loaner for a week and they're saying they can't hear it . I'm about to pick it up, drive it 30 mins or so then let them enjoy the symphony of sound.

Do this, drive it for 30 minutes and go straight to the dealership

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Anyone have any idea what this is? My brand new 2026 Maverick has been making this sound since second month of ownership, less than 600 miles. Can anyone help identify the issue? See the video here:

My dealer service is saying they can’t find the issue. It’s defeaning and embarrassing. Sounds horrible. Happens pretty much every drive now above 30 minutes +-. Occurs while driving and while parked and will sometimes last for days. Occasionally it will disappear if parked overnight, but will reemerge after driving for approximately 30 minutes especially on highway. Perhaps this is why my dealer doesn’t hear it when they let it sit parked for days and then just throw it on the lift to look. They’re apparently not driving it.

Make sure you document these visits and the time frame.
Check out your State's lemon law guidelines.
Quite possibly minute you start talking about lemon law. They may get serious about repairing your truck.

 

[CNJFF]

Aside from the obvious suspension and steering rack items, my old truck had a similar noise that turned out to be a lack of grease at the firewall seal (wore out over 10 years of use).

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