Over 5,000 examples might be defective.
The all-new Ford Maverick is a smash hit for the Blue Oval. Ford took a chance and figured Americans were ready for a front-wheel-drive, unibody compact pickup truck. The sales results speak for themselves, especially for the hybrid model. As we recently wrote following our second test drive, the Maverick is the small truck Subaru should have made.
We also recently found out there's a stop-sale order for a specific batch of vehicles built between October 6 and 20. The rear seat belt is defective. Replacement components and repair instructions will be available for dealers next month. But there's another Maverick problem we're just now hearing about. And yes, it involves a recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), together with Ford, has issued a recall for 5,456 examples of the Maverick built between May 20 and October 29 of this year. It turns out the fuel tanks may have been damaged due to a supplier mistake. For whatever reason(s), this supplier drilled holes during an unauthorized process during the spray-in bedliner installation process.
So far, no related accidents or injuries have been reported. But the fact that the fuel system integrity might be compromised is a risk Ford cannot afford to take. Affected owners might notice fuel leaking onto the ground. Even the smell of fuel is a clear sign their Maverick is part of the recall.
Owners might experience the malfunction indicator light in the gauge cluster turning on. The problem was first discovered in late October when test engineers notified the Maverick launch team that one of their trucks was leaking fuel. An investigation immediately got underway and it didn’t take long to figure out the supplier’s mistake. Ford ultimately approved the recall on December 9.
Owners will be notified beginning January 28, 2022 to take their Maverick for an inspection at a Ford dealer. Technicians will look for any holes in the fuel tank and will replace it if deemed necessary. Of course, there will be no charge.
Keyword: There's Another Problem With The Ford Maverick