I have already had the cv axles replaced under the extended customer satisfaction program in January 2026, but today while doing a cross country move, the outer boot on the drivers side showed significant grease loss, and the inner boot on the passenger side tore off with a very severe clunk, noise, and shake while braking and accelerating. Thankfully the cv axle did not separate, but a failure could have resulted in a loss of control. This will be going to the dealership tomorrow. No warning lights, messages, or symptoms that I could observe before the 1000 mile trip across yesterday and today.
Ford Maverick Hybrid harsh shifting problems
18 of the 882 owner complaints about the Ford Maverick Hybrid describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2022
By model year
- 20251
- 20241
- 202216
Often reported together
Jerking 3Sudden acceleration 1Shudder 1Collision warning 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
While using the Auto Hold feature and stopped at a light, the truck went forward on its own - then made a loud clunk noise. Turned Auto Hold off and brought truck to Ford Service Dept. They could not find the problem.
Slow speed brakes shudder or grab way to hard causing vehicle to stop abruptly and clunk.
The brakes are very grabby and abrupt when stopping at low parking lot speeds or creeping up in a drive-thru line. It often makes a clunk noise and it feels like it will not stop at all until you hear that clunking noise. I took it to my dealership but they said they could not replicate the issue so they did nothing about it, even after showing them a TSB 23-2060 document saying what to do and why. I recalled one time I was driving between cars in a parking lot, it makes that noise, and a couple that was having a conversation next to their car thought I hit their car after they hear the noise, they were even looking for damages on their car and looking at me.
I have problems with the braking system. It is very grabby and abrupt when stopping at low parking lot speeds or when creeping up in a drive-thru line. When is grabs, it often makes a clunk noise. It also feels like it will not stop at all, at times and this is a safety risk to myself and others. The vehicle was serviced on 12/21/2022 for this concern and was told the software was already updated. (reference TSB 22-2493), though, the vehicle still has concern. I returned to dealership on 3/27/2023 for same concern, and was told they could not duplicate. This remains to be an unresolved issue. What are my next steps to get this safety issue resolved? This is quite alarming to me. FYI: The vehicle clunked when entering and stopping in the dealership service area on 3/27/2023. I even showed the service advisor a video demonstrating the clunking noise.
At low speeds, the brakes are unpredictable. Sometimes they grab hard, other times not. Sometimes there is a loud clunk associated with this low speed braking. I don’t know the cause, but it leaves the driver uncertain how much pressure to apply in braking situations. Snowy conditions are especially hard to navigate. Ford has issued a TSB for the problem which I am in line to have completed. But early feedback indicates that the offered fix only partially resolves the problem.
The brakes are hesitant to stop while creeping forwards, then they slam on. There is also a clunking noise when stopping, usually hear it around the last five ft of the stopping distance. I have 11k miles and just needed to replace the transmission. I lost acceleration while on the highway, no warnings or engine light until a few hours after this happened. Dealer stated that this was the transmission. The truck would also almost lock in place while in drive and not level (like at a red light). It would not let go for a few seconds after releasing the brake pedal. I was also told this was the transmission. After the transmission was replaced, the same day, my engine started making a very loud clunking noise and lurching forward while parked in the driveway. This is the Hybrid version of the 2022 Ford Maverick. This is unsafe in general. Losing acceleration on the highway could have caused an accident, luckily did not. Also not being able to move when the traffic light changes poses the same safety risk. This truck is currently back at the dealership undergoing investigation to the the loud noises in the engine. I was also told that the airbag recall would not be fixed unless they deploy.
The brakes often GRAB and CLUNK when BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS. This is an intermittent (yet common) problem which occurs when coming to a stop, slowly pulling forward after already having made a stop, creeping forward to check for oncoming traffic and other similar scenarios. The noise and feel of this sensation is startling when it occurs, therefore making it unsafe! I have inquired with two dealer service departments. One said it was a common problem for the hybrid and nothing was wrong. I stated I owned a FORD hybrid for six years, as well as other hybrids and none of them had this issue. He then said it was "due to the weight of the vehicle". The second was unaware of any problems and said I could make an appointment, but they wouldn't be able to try to fix it unless they could recreate the problem.
This is a hybrid braking issue where an extreme loud 'clunk' noise which can be felt coming from under the car at low speed less than 10 miles an hour when braking the car. In addition, the brakes seem to not engage properly at stop and go traffic forcing driver to stomp on the brakes to make the car stop. The brakes sometimes won't release after stopping forcing the driver to hit the throttle where the car suddenly lunges forward after the sudden release of the brakes. The Forward Collision warning also comes on unexpectedly without having another car in front of me. Happened twice since ownership of the car. Seems to be common in cold weather.
About two weeks after first buying the car I noticed that when breaking the pedal requires inconsistent extra pressure at times to stop the car. Also while breaking and coming to a slow downhill stop the front end makes an odd clunk sound while jerking to a stop. These things only happen very infrequently, so when I took it to the Hansel Ford dealership (in Santa Rosa, Ca.) they could not repeat the sound or breaking effect. The first time I heard the noise I thought I hit something. I feel that the inconsistent breaking could pose a safety issue, making it harder to stop, and potentially causing a collision. I called Ford consumer assistance, they gave me case # [XXX], and asked me to return it to the dealer. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Maverick Hybrid and 2020 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) software may cause the vehicle to shift into neutral unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power.
- 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 February 12, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S33. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning January 15, 2026. This is an expansion of Recalls 24V330 (24S33) and 25V133 (25S16).
Recall number 25V881000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Maverick Hybrid harsh shifting
Which Ford Maverick Hybrid years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (16 complaints), 2024 (1 complaints) and 2025 (1 complaints).
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