Trying to buy a Maverick… is this normal or just a scam?

I came here just trying to see how everyone else managed to get theirs. Thought maybe I was the only one struggling. After months of searching and putting in way too many hours, it’s clear I’m not alone. So many people are dealing with the same or worse.

BUT… I finally signed for a 2025 XLT! It cost more than I wanted and didn’t have all the options I hoped for, but I’m not complaining. The truck had just arrived and wasn’t even set up yet, so I probably wouldn’t have gotten a shot if I had waited. Just happened to leave a grumpy voicemail with the right dealership at the right time. Appreciate all the responses—good luck to everyone still searching!

Now back to the madness…

Buying a Maverick right now is a nightmare. The recall stop-sale has dealerships either confused, lying, or both. They admit it’s one of their best sellers, but Ford isn’t moving fast to fix the recall. Every dealership I visit either tries to sell me a truck they legally can’t sell, a truck someone else ordered, or trucks from other dealers that aren’t actually available—only to circle back and push a $40k+ Lariat on me.

This isn’t a luxury vehicle. It’s supposed to be an affordable, practical truck for people like me. But used ones are selling for more than new ones, and new ones are impossible to find. Any advice on how to get a hybrid Maverick without overpaying or waiting indefinitely? I’d order one, but I can’t wait 20+ weeks. I’ve been running VIN checks on every Maverick I see listed, and nothing seems to actually be available.

Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

Unless it’s used and at a non-Ford dealer.

Koa said:

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

Unless it’s used and at a non-Ford dealer.

Actually, a used one can also be sold at a Ford dealer—I just found that out yesterday.

@Kirby
Good point. Some areas have different rules, though.

Koa said:

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

Unless it’s used and at a non-Ford dealer.

In Canada, you can buy a used one at a Ford dealer too.

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

What’s the recall about? What’s stopping them from selling?

Keir said:

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

What’s the recall about? What’s stopping them from selling?

It’s the backup camera. The XL and XLT models run on Sync 2.5, and the camera can freeze. That’s considered a safety issue, so they had to put a stop-sale on those models. The Lariat has Sync 3, so it’s not affected.

@Val
Can someone explain like I’m five? Seems like an easy fix.

West said:
@Val
Can someone explain like I’m five? Seems like an easy fix.

You’d think so, but apparently not.

West said:
@Val
Can someone explain like I’m five? Seems like an easy fix.

Basically, the simplest fix would be to rip out Sync 2.5 and replace it with Sync 3, but Ford is looking for something cheaper. My guess is the system has a weird mix of old and new hardware that’s causing compatibility issues.

West said:
@Val
Can someone explain like I’m five? Seems like an easy fix.

The issue is that a non-working backup camera is a big deal legally. Since 2018, every car has to have a working backup camera by law. So even if the truck runs fine, it can’t be sold if the camera isn’t reliable.

Ford is focusing on the 2025 models now, and dealers don’t seem to care since they can just push Lariats or 2025s instead. I was thinking about waiting but ended up getting a Bronco Sport on a good deal. The Maverick I wanted is still sitting there with no update on the recall fix.

Keir said:

Jael said:
Bottom line… if it’s not a 2025 Lariat, it’s not for sale right now.

What’s the recall about? What’s stopping them from selling?

It’s a software issue with non-Sync models. The backup cam glitches when using Apple CarPlay with older iPhones. Lariats have real Sync, so they’re fine. Ford could probably just push a firmware update, but here we are.

Dealerships are the worst. They exist purely because of dealer lobbyists paying politicians to stop manufacturers from selling directly to people.

Christopher said:
Dealerships are the worst. They exist purely because of dealer lobbyists paying politicians to stop manufacturers from selling directly to people.

Granger Ford in Iowa has 40+ Mavericks in stock today. If you can travel, that might be worth checking out. Or maybe they’ll ship one.

@Vesper
I’m in Idaho and see tons of 2024s, but they all have stop-sale stickers on them because of the recall. I ordered mine ages ago, and it just keeps getting delayed…

@Vesper
Bought my 2022 from Granger and had it shipped to North Carolina. Still ended up cheaper than buying local.

@Vesper
They can’t sell those yet. They’re all on stop-sale.

I get it. My dealer had several XLs and XLTs sitting there when my Lariat arrived. It’s frustrating.

It sucks, but I just placed a 2025 order and was told 2-3 months. If the 2024s were available, I’d grab one instead. We’ll see what things look like in March.