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Ford is one of the original American automakers, and while the Detroit-based automaker isn’t well-known for reliability, it does have a few reliable options. In fact, one of the most reliable American vehicles right now is a Ford, and it’s a relatively new Ford too. Here’s a look at the Ford Maverick and how it’s one of the most reliable American vehicles on the market right now.

The latest vehicle reliability rankings

A blue 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT and red Ford Maverick 2L-EcoBoost AWD Lariat compact pickup truck models
2022 Ford Maverick models in blue and red | The Ford Motor Company

Every year, Consumer Reports sends out surveys to car owners asking them to report vehicle issues. The consumer advocacy group received hundreds of thousands of answers this year, and that data forms the backbone of the site’s reliability scores. USA Today found some of those survey results unsurprising. Toyota, already well-known for making reliable cars, got first place yet again.

American automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, and Jeep did not do so well overall, as they were all among the worst in brand reliability. While the brands did not score well, they made some fairly reliable models. In fact, Ford and its companies dominated the short list of reliable American cars.

The Buick Encore GX, the Chevy Trailblazer, and the Chevy Blazer were all reliable domestic options. The  Ford Edge also made the list, as did the Lincoln Corsair and the Lincoln Nautilus. The Ford Maverick, meanwhile, made the list twice, as both the regular Maverick and the Maverick Hybrid were among the most reliable American vehicles. 

The Ford Maverick is one of the most reliable American vehicles

That being said, while the Ford Maverick is one of the most reliable American vehicles, it’s still a Ford. According to RepairPal, Ford does not score very well regarding reliability. It’s ranked 21st out of 32 for all car brands, and on average, a Ford will cost owners $775 a year for repairs. Ford models need repairs less often than average, but the cost of those repairs tends to be higher than average.

RepairPal doesn’t have data for the Maverick yet, as it’s a brand-new truck. That being said, the Maverick has already racked up some issues. To be fair to the compact Ford truck, it’s less problematic than its bigger cousin, the F-150. For example, the Maverick has fewer recalls than the F-150, and owners haven’t reported many issues with the truck yet. More problems can arise, but the Maverick seems solid for now.

An overview of the 2022 Ford Maverick

A yellow 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat is driving down the road as a small truck.
Ford Maverick | Ford

The Ford Maverick is solid in other ways, too. This Ford pickup truck starts at about $21,000, making it the cheapest pickup truck on the market. However, car shoppers who choose this Ford truck over other options will be paying for some trade-offs. The Detroit automaker gave the Maverick two powertrain options. It starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid that gets 191 hp.

There’s also a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets 250 hp. The hybrid option gets 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on highways, for 38 mpg combined. That makes the Maverick a very fuel-efficient truck. Meanwhile, the 2.0-liter engine gets 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highways, for 27 mpg combined, which also isn’t too shabby.

However, due to the Maverick’s small size, it will not be able to tow much. The standard hybrid powertrain can tow 2,000 pounds, while the 2.0-liter engine option allows the Maverick to tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Find out exactly why the Ford Maverick won truck of the year or see it reviewed in the video below: