MODEL
Ford Maverick Hev Early Release
NHTSA safety across every Ford Maverick Hev Early Release model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Ford Maverick Hev Early Release we cover (2025 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 85 on the NHTSA Safety Index. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Ford Maverick HEV Early Release occupies a distinctive spot in the compact truck segment, though NHTSA classifies it under a sedan body type for rating purposes. Aimed at budget-conscious buyers who want hybrid efficiency in a small, maneuverable pickup, the Maverick has carved out a loyal following since its debut. The 2025 model year marks the version we evaluate here, and its safety profile deserves a close, honest look before you sign anything.
The 2025 Ford Maverick HEV Early Release posts an impressive NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, landing it firmly in the Strong band. That headline number is backed by real crash-test performance: a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side impact testing. The one soft spot is rollover resistance, where the Maverick earns 4 out of 5 stars, a result that is common in truck-based vehicles and worth keeping in mind if you frequently carry tall loads or travel unpaved terrain at speed. On the recall front, the 2025 model year comes back clean with zero recalls recorded across our covered period. That is a genuinely encouraging sign for an early-release variant, which historically carries more manufacturing variability than a mid-cycle model. Owner complaints tell a more cautious story. Twenty-one complaints have been filed with NHTSA, including two crash allegations, one fire allegation, and one death allegation. These are unverified allegations and do not establish fault or confirmed defect, but a death allegation demands that any prospective buyer check NHTSA's complaint database directly and monitor for any future recall activity tied to those reports. Bottom line: the Maverick HEV's crash-test scores are genuinely strong, and a clean recall record at launch is a real positive. The complaint figures, particularly the death allegation, keep this from being a pure recommendation without reservation.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Ford Maverick for punching above its price class in terms of everyday practicality and hybrid fuel economy, calling it an accessible entry point into truck ownership. Most find the ride and cabin refinement acceptable for the segment. Criticism tends to center on limited towing capacity and a modest interior compared to larger stablemates, rather than on safety.
- The 2025 Maverick HEV earned 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side crash testing under NHTSA protocols, placing its structural protection in the top tier for its class.
- Rollover resistance comes in at 4 out of 5 stars, a common limitation for truck-bodied vehicles. Drivers who load cargo high or navigate off-camber roads should factor this into daily driving habits.
- Zero recalls have been issued for the 2025 model year as of our data snapshot, which is a positive sign for an early-release variant, though shoppers should continue monitoring NHTSA's recall database as production matures.
- Twenty-one owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, including one unverified death allegation and one unverified fire allegation. These are unconfirmed and do not establish a proven defect, but buyers should review the full complaint detail at NHTSA.gov and watch for any follow-on investigations or recalls tied to these reports.