By Jessica 
Ford recalls hundreds of thousands of Maverick pickup trucks for battery failures and taillight blackouts. These aren’t minor inconveniences but serious safety hazards that put drivers at risk. After investigating official NHTSA documents, I’m sharing what Maverick owners need to know right now.
Two Critical Safety Recalls Hit Popular Ford Maverick
The affordable Ford Maverick pickup truck, once celebrated for its value proposition, now sits at the center of major safety concerns:
- Dangerous Battery System Failures affecting 272,817 vehicles (2022-2023 models)
- Sudden Taillight Blackouts affecting 242,669 vehicles (2022-2024 models)
These safety defects, documented in federal recall notices, require immediate attention from Maverick owners who may be driving potentially unsafe vehicles.
Battery Defects Can Cause Complete Power Loss While Driving
The battery recall represents a nightmare scenario for Maverick owners: sudden complete power loss without warning.
Ford engineers traced the problem to faulty Enhanced Flooded Batteries (EFB) from supplier Camel Battery. These batteries contain two critical manufacturing defects:
- Internal “Cast On Strap” failures where battery plate connections are positioned too close to strap walls
- Weak “tombstone” welds resulting from either excessive welding temperatures or component misalignment
These manufacturing defects create perfect conditions for catastrophic battery failure:
- Your truck can suddenly lose all power while cruising on highways
- The engine may not restart after an automatic stop/start event at intersections
- All electrical systems including essential hazard lights can fail completely
- No dashboard warning lights appear before complete system shutdown
In April 2024, Ford attempted to fix this with a software update (recall 24V-267) that would detect failing batteries. This proved woefully inadequate when owner complaints kept mounting. NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation opened a formal inquiry (RQ24-014) in November 2024, forcing Ford to issue a more comprehensive recall (25V-019) in January 2025.
The most alarming part? Ford won’t have replacement AGM batteries widely available until Q2 2025. This means thousands of Maverick owners are currently driving vehicles that could lose power without warning at any moment.
One similar battery recall situation with Berkeley Club Beverages showed how product recalls can significantly impact consumer trust when not handled properly. Ford faces a similar challenge with this extended parts delay.
Taillight Failures Creating Dangerous Nighttime Driving Conditions
The second major recall targets a software glitch that leaves Maverick trucks driving dark at night.
The problem stems from a fundamental calibration error in the Body Control Module (BCM). Ford designed the Maverick with two position lamp bulbs sharing a single electrical circuit for each taillight. However, engineers mistakenly calibrated the BCM software to expect only one bulb’s worth of current draw.
When both bulbs function normally, the BCM incorrectly identifies the standard current as an electrical overload. To “protect” the system, it shuts down the entire taillight circuit, leaving your truck’s rear end virtually invisible to following drivers.
What’s particularly dangerous is this happens without warning. No dashboard alerts, no system messages. Your taillights simply go dark while you drive, creating a serious collision risk.
In their investigation, Ford found 4,727 unique vehicles with diagnostic trouble codes related to this issue. Even more concerning, 1,555 of those trucks experienced simultaneous failure of both left and right taillights, rendering the entire back of the vehicle dark.
The fix requires a BCM software update (recall 24V-293), but the story doesn’t end there. In early 2025, a Ford internal audit uncovered 2,711 Mavericks where dealerships had botched the software update, requiring yet another recall action (25V-095).
Ford Maverick Recall Comparison Table
| Feature | Battery Failure Recall | Taillight Deactivation Recall |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA IDs | 24V-267 → 25V-019 | 24V-293 → 25V-095 |
| Vehicles Affected | 272,817 | 242,669 (original), 2,711 (re-repair) |
| Model Years | 2022-2023 | 2022-2024 |
| Root Cause | Manufacturing defects in Camel EFB batteries | Incorrect BCM software calibration |
| Safety Risk | Sudden power loss, stranding, no hazard lights | Invisible rear end at night, crash risk |
| Remedy | Replace EFB with AGM battery | BCM software update |
| Parts/Fix Availability | Delayed until Q2 2025 | Software available now |
A Pattern of Problems Across Multiple Maverick Systems
These two major recalls aren’t isolated incidents. My research into NHTSA documentation reveals a troubling pattern of safety issues across various Maverick systems:
- Trailer brake control module failures affecting towed trailer stopping ability
- Hybrid powertrain control malfunctions causing unexpected shifts to neutral while driving
- Instrument panel blackouts leaving drivers without critical information
- Turn signal systems failing to change flash rates when bulbs burn out
What makes this situation particularly alarming is how many of these recalls required secondary fix attempts. In multiple cases, Ford’s initial remedies proved either inadequate or were improperly implemented by dealerships.
What You Must Do If You Own a Ford Maverick
Every Maverick owner from model years 2022-2024 needs to take these steps now:
- Run your VIN through the NHTSA recall database or use Ford’s recall lookup tool
- Contact your Ford dealership service department about open recalls for your specific truck
- Know that replacement battery parts have extended delays (Q2 2025)
- If getting taillight repairs, insist on verification that proper software validation was completed
- Watch for warning indicators: electrical system fluctuations, dimming headlights, or dashboard anomalies
- Keep all service records proving recall work completion for future reference or resale
- Consider driving another vehicle until critical safety recalls are addressed
Your truck might seem perfectly normal right now. That’s what makes these defects particularly dangerous. Both recall issues can appear without any advance warning symptoms.
Ford Maverick Recall FAQ
Which Maverick trucks need these recall repairs?
The battery recall affects 2022-2023 Mavericks manufactured between February 3, 2021, and October 20, 2022. The taillight recall impacts virtually all 2022-2024 Mavericks built from February 3, 2021, through March 21, 2024.
Can I identify the defective battery myself?
No reliable visual indicators exist for owners. The defects are internal manufacturing flaws that require professional inspection. Ford will check if your truck has an EFB battery from Camel Battery that needs replacement with an AGM battery. NHTSA data shows these battery failures occur more frequently in southern states with warmer climates.
Do I have to pay for these recall repairs?
No. Federal law requires manufacturers to provide all safety recall repairs at no cost to vehicle owners. If you already paid out-of-pocket for battery replacement related to this specific issue before the recall announcement, Ford has established a reimbursement process. Contact your dealer for details about reimbursement documentation requirements.
Should I continue driving my Maverick while waiting for recall repairs?
While not technically illegal, both defects create serious safety hazards. The battery issue can cause complete power loss at highway speeds without warning, potentially leaving you stranded in dangerous traffic situations without even hazard lights. The taillight defect makes your vehicle nearly invisible from behind at night. Consider alternative transportation until repairs are completed.
My dealer says they already performed the taillight recall. Am I safe?
Not necessarily. Request verification that proper software validation was completed. Ford’s internal audit uncovered 2,711 Mavericks where dealership technicians incorrectly applied the initial software update, necessitating a second recall (25V-095). Ask specifically about the “Software Validation Form” mentioned in the recall documentation.
Ford Quality Control Under Scrutiny
The sheer scale and seriousness of these recalls raises legitimate questions about Ford’s quality control systems.
When analyzing the progression of the battery recall, what stands out is how Ford initially misdiagnosed a hardware manufacturing defect as a software detection issue. Only after continued failure reports and formal NHTSA investigation did Ford acknowledge the actual root cause: defective physical batteries from supplier Camel Battery.
This pattern repeats across multiple Maverick systems. Ford issues a recall with what appears to be an inadequate remedy, then must follow up with a second recall when the first fix fails. We see this with:
- Battery systems (software fix → hardware replacement)
- Taillights (software update → software validation)
- Turn signals (initial update → secondary repair)
- Instrument clusters (software fix → reapplication)
Such widespread recall activity damages owner confidence and resale values. While safety recalls themselves indicate a manufacturer taking responsibility, the frequency of follow-up actions suggests fundamental problems in Ford’s initial diagnostic processes, remedy validation, and dealer service network quality.
Ford recalls hundreds of thousands of Maverick pickup trucks for issues that could have been caught earlier with more robust quality control. Owners need to stay vigilant about monitoring these safety recalls and ensuring proper repairs are completed.