NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Ford Maverick Safety Ratings
The 2023 Ford Maverick scores 70 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 21 recalls, and 262 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Ford Maverick's safety profile presents a mixed picture. Its NHTSA Safety Index of 70/100 places it in the Average band, reflecting strong crash-test performance but a notable volume of recalls. The model year has accumulated 21 recall campaigns, a substantial figure that includes one park-outside directive. This record, alongside a weak score for its avoidance technology, should be a primary consideration for prospective owners.
The 2023 Ford Maverick received a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 out of 100 and an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 92 Sedans from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Ford Maverick ranks 88 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 70 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
| Recalls on file | 21 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 262 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 88 of 92 Sedans tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Ford Maverick?
The 2023 Ford Maverick HEV marks a notable step back from its immediate predecessor. The NHTSA Safety Index fell from 76/100 in 2022 to 70/100 in 2023, a six-point drop within the same Average band. The decline is driven almost entirely by the defect record component, which contributes 0 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of 21 recall campaigns accumulated against this model year. Crash protection remains the vehicle's genuine strength, scoring 66 out of 70 points and supported by NHTSA's 5-star frontal and 5-star side ratings. The rollover score of 4 stars with a 17 percent risk figure is acceptable but not exceptional. Where the 2023 Maverick loses ground most sharply is avoidance technology, earning only 3.5 out of 10 points, with lane departure warning listed as optional rather than standard. The park-outside ball joint recall adds a serious safety dimension that separates this model year from a routine recall picture. For used-market shoppers, the combination of a declining Index, a zero defect-record score, and one do-not-drive campaign makes recall verification the first and most critical step before purchase.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Ford Maverick perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Ford Maverick's crash test results show a notable split in protection levels. While frontal and side impact protection each achieved 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA, the overall rating stands at 4 out of 5 stars. This lower overall score is influenced by the 4-star rollover protection rating, which includes a 17 percent rollover risk. The dynamic tip test, however, did not result in a tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17325
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Ford Maverick have any recalls?
Yes. The 2023 Ford Maverick carries 21 recall campaigns. Components include the front lower control arm ball joint (a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign), integrated trailer brake control, engine block heater equipment, back-over prevention software, and the 2.5L HEV engine. The ball joint campaign is the most urgent, requiring owners to stop driving the vehicle until repaired.
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.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S36. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall b
Reported 2026-05-27
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
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
ENGINE25V345000
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.
Reported 2025-05-23
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V158000
Risk: An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S26.
Reported 2025-03-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL25V123000
Risk: An instrument panel that does not illuminate critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C06.
Reported 2025-02-28
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V133000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.
Reported 2025-02-28
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL25V094000
Risk: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal cannot notify other drivers that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C04.
Reported 2025-02-14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS25V095000
Risk: Rear tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce the vehicle's visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S07.
Reported 2025-02-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY25V019000
Risk: Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the 12-volt battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S02. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under 24V-267 and will need to have the new remedy completed.
Reported 2025-01-17
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE24V684000
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Connected Touch Radio (CTR) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S59.
Reported 2024-09-13
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Ford Maverick?
NHTSA has logged 262 unverified consumer complaints for the 2023 Maverick. Alleged problem areas include Power Train (93 reports), Electrical System (77), and Engine (69). Owners have also alleged 9 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 1 death. These are unverified allegations, not established facts.
262 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Ford Maverick?
The 2023 Maverick presents a notable recall record, with 21 open or historical campaigns. Among these is a critical park-outside directive concerning ball joint issues. For any prospective owner, verifying the completion of all recall remedies via NHTSA's VIN lookup tool is an essential first step before purchase or operation.
- The 2023 Maverick's Safety Index dropped six points from the 2022 model year (76 to 70), driven by a defect-record score of 0 out of 20 points reflecting 21 recall campaigns specific to this model year.
- A park-outside or do-not-drive recall targeting the front lower control arm ball joint is the most urgent safety action; owners are directed not to operate the vehicle until the remedy is applied.
- NHTSA's crash tests gave the 2023 Maverick HEV perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side protection, making crash-protection the clearest safety strength of this specific model year.
- Lane departure warning is listed as optional rather than standard on the 2023 Maverick, contributing to a low avoidance-technology score of 3.5 out of 10 and meaning not every unit on the used market will have it equipped.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Ford Maverick places
The 2023 Ford Maverick qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Ford Maverick safety questions
Was the 2023 Ford Maverick crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Ford Maverick, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 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 2023 Ford Maverick crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Ford Maverick earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Maverick have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 21 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Ford Maverick, 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 2023 Ford Maverick?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 262 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Ford Maverick. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Maverick years
Rivals in Sedan (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Audi S4 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17325), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Maverick 2023.
- 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 88 of 92 in the Sedan class for 2023.
- 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.