Some car problems are annoying but not immediately dangerous. Others, however, can put you at risk whenever you’re on the road. Airbag problems fall firmly into the second category, which is a problem for Ford Maverick owners.
In August, Ford issued a recall for nearly 65,000 2022 Mavericks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notified them of a problem. The agency had performed a compliance audit on one of the trucks and determined that the front side curtain airbags didn’t meet federal safety standards. The airbags may fail to deploy correctly in accident conditions, putting drivers and passengers at risk.
Side curtain airbags protect vehicle occupants from side impacts and rollover crashes. These airbags are technically optional, but manufacturers must meet specific requirements if they choose to include them. A previous safety test by Ford indicated that the Maverick had met NHTSA criteria, but the truck failed upon a routine inspection.
This is far from the only recall that the 2022 Maverick has faced, either. The 2022 is the first of the entire model line, and it shows. Despite being less than a year old, this year’s model has been recalled not once, not twice, but six times total. That’s more than most individual year models face ever, much less before they’ve reached their first birthday.
If you own a 2022 Maverick, you must pay close attention to your truck’s performance and safety. Here’s what you need to know about Mavericks’ other recalls and what you can do if your truck is a lemon.
Other 2022 Ford Maverick Recalls
The airbag issue is just one problem among many. The other five recalls for the 2022 Maverick may be just as dangerous:
- Damaged Fuel Tanks: Ford recalled 5456 trucks for potential damage to the fuel tanks. During manufacture, the tanks may have been cracked or had holes drilled into them accidentally when the bed-liner was installed. These tanks are prone to leaks, posing a significant fire risk in a crash.
- Incorrectly Attached Seatbelts: The rear seatbelts in 2622 Mavericks may not have been adequately attached to the floor. As a result, these seatbelts are at risk of coming loose. In an accident, faulty seatbelts may not protect occupants from injury.
- Trailer Brake Failures: In a notice that affects a total of 391,836 trucks, Ford announced that trucks towing electric or electric-over hydraulic brake systems may not brake correctly. Affected vehicles had a software error that prevented these trucks from messaging the trailers to apply the brakes, preventing them from stopping. This may cause damage to the car and accidents should the towing vehicle have to stop suddenly, and the trailer keeps moving.
- Engine Fire Risks: Another massive recall included the Maverick in the 100,689 total vehicles affected. The manufacturer stated that engine failures in the named trucks could lead to engine oil and fuel vapor being vented into the engine compartment. These vapors are highly flammable and are likely to ignite if they come into contact with hot engine components, putting drivers at risk of engine fires.
- Faulty Brake Lights: Another software glitch affects 11,098 Maverick trucks. These vehicles may experience lit brake lights even when they aren’t braking due to a fault in the Antilock Brake System (ABS) module. This can confuse other drivers on the road, leading to accidents.
What Can You Do About Your Faulty Truck
As the pilot year model for the entire Maverick line, the 2022 truck is likely to have multiple other problems discovered in the future. If you’re concerned about safety or tired of having your vehicle constantly in the shop for repairs, you may be able to file a lemon claim against Ford.
California warranty laws protect vehicle buyers from being stuck with unsafe or faulty trucks. According to these laws, car brands must repair manufacturing flaws on vehicles under warranty within a reasonable number of attempts. If they can’t do so, the vehicle is considered a lemon, and they have to replace or refund it.
The laws regarding lemons are clear. Your truck may be eligible for a lemon claim if:
- It’s under warranty
- You’ve discovered a manufacturing flaw and tried to get it repaired within 18 months or 18,000 miles of purchase or lease
- Ford hasn’t repaired it within a reasonable number of attempts
The Maverick is just a year old, so your truck is almost certainly still under warranty and below 18,000 miles. That means the reasonable number of repair attempts is the threshold you need to meet.
This number depends on the nature of the problem. Defects that can lead to lemon claims include anything that affects the vehicle’s value, utility, or safety. If the flaw makes the vehicle unsafe to use, Ford has two opportunities to make a repair. If it affects the utility or value, the manufacturer has four chances to fix it. Finally, regardless of the number of attempts, if your truck has been in the shop for 30 or more days for fixes, you could have grounds for a claim.
Discuss Your Case With Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys
If you have a 2022 Ford Maverick, any concern about the safety of your truck is justified. With the number of recalls it’s faced in just a year, it’s clear that Ford didn’t perform its due diligence in all cases. You may be able to hold Ford accountable for the defects in your truck by working with Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys.We have years of experience representing clients on both sides of lemon claims. We understand what car manufacturers will do to avoid paying a claim and know how to present your case to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Schedule your consultation today to learn how we can help you get your truck repaired, replaced, or refunded with help from our expert California attorneys.
