What are the safety features of the Ford Maverick?

The Ford Maverick offers a solid suite of standard safety features across all trims, with more advanced driver-assist options available on higher grades. In short, you’ll get essential collision avoidance and awareness tech on every Maverick, plus upgrades when you choose packages or higher trims.

Core safety features that come with every Maverick

The following safety basics are included across Maverick models, providing foundational protection and driving assistance.

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection


• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert


• Lane-Keeping System


• Auto High-Beam Headlamps


• Rear-View Camera

Together, these features help detect potential collisions, monitor adjacent lanes, improve visibility at night, and assist with parking and reversing maneuvers. They form the core safety safety net for daily driving.

Driver-assist technologies and optional extras

Beyond the standard package, higher trims and optional packages add more proactive safety aids designed to reduce fatigue and enhance control in varying traffic conditions.

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go


• Evasive Steering Assist


• Lane-Centering Assist (often bundled with lane-keeping features)


• Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package options, which bundle additional driver aids and capabilities


• Active Park Assist (including parallel and perpendicular parking assistance, where available)

These technologies can help maintain a safe following distance, steer to avoid potential collisions during evasive maneuvers, keep the vehicle centered in a lane, and assist with parking in tight spots. Availability varies by trim and package selection.

Safety features by trim and package

Ford positions the Maverick’s safety tech across trims to balance value and capability. Base XL models include the essential safety suite, while XLT and Lariat trims (and certain packages) unlock additional assists for drivers who want more convenience and protection.

• XL: Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, BLIS with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping, auto high-beams, and a rear-view camera.


• XLT: Adds access to Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and, with appropriate packages, Evasive Steering Assist and Active Park Assist.


• Lariat: Typically equipped with the broader Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package options, including enhanced adaptive cruise control capabilities, lane-centering features, and advanced parking assist where offered.

In practice, you’ll get stronger driver-assist capabilities as you move up trims or add the Co-Pilot360/Assist+ packages. Always check the specific build sheet for a given model to confirm exact features and availability.

Recent updates and how they impact safety

Ford has periodically updated Maverick safety offerings through mid-cycle improvements and package refreshes. Later model years commonly broaden standardization of key features like automatic emergency braking and BLIS, while expanding access to adaptive cruise control and park-assist options on more trims.

If safety tech is a priority, consider looking for a Maverick with the latest Co-Pilot360/Assist+ package as well as higher trim level, since those configurations are more likely to include the most advanced driver aids such as evasive steering assist and enhanced parking features.

Summary

The Ford Maverick provides a solid foundation of safety tech on every model, led by automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, BLIS with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping, auto high-beams, and a rear-view camera. Higher trims and optional packages unlock adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go, evasive steering assist, lane-centering, and parking assist, enhancing protection and convenience for more demanding driving scenarios.

What are common complaints about the Maverick?

Real answer. 12V battery on both eco boost and hybrid, water leaking into the bed because the top edge isn't fully sealed in a spot over the rear tires, and making me forget to check my gas gauge before I start driving because the MPGs are so so sweet.

Does the Ford Maverick have a blind spot warning?

Yes, the Ford Maverick has blind spot monitoring, but it's not standard on all trims and models. It's available through the Ford Co-Pilot360 package, which can be standard or an optional upgrade depending on the model year and trim level. For example, it's available on the Lariat trim and as an optional add-on for the XL and XLT. 
How to know if your Maverick has it

• Check if your vehicle is equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 package. 
• The side-view mirrors will look different on models equipped with blind spot monitoring. 
• The system is often paired with rear cross-traffic alert. 

Is the Ford Maverick safe in a crash?

The Ford Maverick has a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars for frontal and side crash tests, and four stars for the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given it a "Top Safety Pick" award for its crashworthiness and crash avoidance systems, but recent updated tests have shown some mixed results, with a "Marginal" rating in the moderate overlap front test due to the rear passenger dummy's lap belt slipping. 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

• Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
• Frontal Crash: 5 out of 5 stars
• Side Crash: 5 out of 5 stars
• Rollover: 4 out of 5 stars 

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 

• Award: 2023 "Top Safety Pick" 
• Updated moderate overlap front test: "Marginal" rating. This is due to the lap belt slipping on the rear passenger dummy during the 40 mph test, which could increase the risk of abdominal injury. 
• Side crash test: "Good" rating (before updated tests) 
• Headlights: "Acceptable" rating 
• Crash avoidance and mitigation: "Good" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle, "Advanced" for daytime pedestrian, and "Basic" for night pedestrian 

What is the lawsuit against the Ford Maverick?

Ford Maverick lawsuits involve several issues, including a 12-volt battery defect causing power loss and stalling, a defective side curtain airbag that may not deploy correctly, and a hybrid engine fire risk in certain models like the Escape and Lincoln Corsair, which some Maverick owners are also part of. The lawsuits allege Ford's failures in recalls and fixes for these problems. 
12-volt battery defect 

• Issue: A defect in the 12-volt battery, supplied by Camel Group, can cause sudden power loss, stalling, and failure of the start/stop system, even after being replaced. 
• Lawsuit: A class action lawsuit was filed claiming the recall's fix is ineffective and that Ford knowingly sold defective vehicles. 
• Affected vehicles: Primarily 2022 and 2023 Bronco Sport and Maverick models. 

Side curtain airbag defect 

• Issue: A defect in the "Safety Canopy" side curtain airbags may prevent them from deploying properly in a crash. 
• Lawsuit: A class action lawsuit alleges this poses a severe safety risk and that Ford's temporary fix is insufficient, leaving owners with unsafe vehicles or no vehicle at all. 
• Affected vehicles: Model year 2022 Ford Maverick trucks. 

Hybrid engine fire risk

• Issue: A defect can cause a "blown engine," leading to a stall and the release of flammable fluids, creating a risk of fire. 
• Lawsuit: A class action lawsuit claims Ford sold these vehicles with the defect, and that the company's attempted "fix" was ineffective and did not mitigate the risk. 
• Affected vehicles: Includes 2020-2022 Ford Escape, 2022 Ford Maverick, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair hybrids. Note: A previous version of this lawsuit was dismissed for lack of evidence of concrete injury.