NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Ford Maverick Hev Safety Ratings
The 2026 Ford Maverick Hev scores 77 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), 6 recalls, and 3 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Ford Maverick HEV launched with six recalls, a notable figure for a debut model year. One of these campaigns, requiring owners to park the vehicle outdoors until a remedy is applied, significantly impacts its safety profile despite otherwise solid crash-protection scores. The Maverick HEV achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 77/100, placing it in the Average band. Prospective owners should confirm that all recall remedies have been completed.
The 2026 Ford Maverick HEV received a 5-out-of-5-star frontal crash rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 77/100 based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 72 Sedans from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev ranks 66 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA Safety Index | 77 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.5% |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 66 of 72 Sedans tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev?
The 2026 Maverick enters the NHTSA Safety Index with an Average score of 77 out of 100. This debut year reveals a vehicle with notable passive safety strength, yet complicated by a significant recall record. The crash protection sub-score, at 63.8 out of a possible 70, is a primary contributor to its overall rating. This is underpinned by a 5 out of 5-star frontal crash rating and a 4 out of 5-star rollover rating, with no dynamic tip recorded during testing. However, the vehicle's active safety technology significantly diminishes its overall score. Its avoidance technology sub-score is a mere 2 out of 10, reflecting the omission of standard forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems; only electronic stability control is confirmed. The defect record sub-score, 11 out of 20, is particularly impactful, weighed down by six active recall campaigns for this current model year. The most critical among these is a "park-outside" ball joint recall, affecting a broad population of Maverick models and carrying the highest severity level assigned by NHTSA. Additional structural safety concerns specific to recent Maverick production include recalls for moonroof bonding and the instrument panel cover. Buyers must resolve these open recalls before operating the vehicle.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Ford Maverick HEV achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in federal frontal crash testing. Its rollover resistance received 4 out of 5 stars, with a 16 percent rollover risk and a passing dynamic tip result. No rating has been issued for side crash protection, and an overall NCAP star rating for this model year is not available.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21423
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev have any recalls?
Yes. The 2026 Ford Maverick HEV carries six recall campaigns. The most serious is a park-outside, do-not-drive order tied to the front suspension lower ball joint. Additional campaigns address the occupant classification sensor for the front passenger air bag, moonroof glass bonding, integrated trailer brake control electrical system issues, and an instrument panel cover that may separate during air bag deployment.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT26V340000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 4, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for
Reported 2026-05-27
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER26V201000
Risk: Failure to correctly detect a passenger may result in the air bag not deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C19. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 2, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-31
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY26V157000
Risk: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the moonroof glass and replace the glass if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 18, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL26V104000
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-20
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD25V884000
Risk: An instrument panel cover separation can cause pieces of the cover to strike occupants, increasing the risk injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SE7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 19, 2025.
Reported 2025-12-18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:PARK PAWL25V863000
Risk: A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The park module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C69. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 26, 2026.
Reported 2025-12-12
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev?
Three unverified consumer allegations have been filed with NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown or Other and Visibility/Wiper, each cited twice, with single unverified allegations also touching the electrical system and service brakes. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged in these reports.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev?
Six open or recently issued recalls, including a park-outside directive, present a notable safety concern for the Ford F-Series in the current model year. Prospective owners are strongly advised to verify the completion of all recall remedies, particularly the ball joint recall, at an authorized Ford dealership by checking the vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool. This step is critical before taking possession of any F-Series from this model year.
- A park-outside, do-not-drive recall is active on the 2026 Maverick HEV for a front lower control arm ball joint defect, the most severe recall classification NHTSA issues.
- NHTSA has not issued an overall NCAP star rating for this model year, and side crash testing has not been completed, meaning the full crash-test picture is incomplete.
- The avoidance-technology sub-score of 2 out of 10 reflects that forward collision warning and lane departure warning are absent as standard features on this model year configuration.
- Five of the six recall campaigns were issued within a single model year, signaling concentrated early-production quality concerns that buyers should confirm are resolved by VIN before purchase or use.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev places
The 2026 Ford Maverick Hev qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Ford Maverick Hev safety questions
Was the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 77 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev earned 5 out of 5 stars for frontal and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.5%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Ford Maverick Hev. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Rivals in Sedan (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura Integra | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Acura Integra Type-S | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Honda Accord | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS 350 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Subaru Impreza | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21423), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Maverick Hev 2026.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 66 of 72 in the Sedan class for 2026.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.