Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Maverick vs Toyota Tacoma: Reliability Compared
Ford Maverick
Toyota Tacoma
Choosing between the Ford Maverick and the Toyota Tacoma? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact trucks.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Maverick currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Maverick and Toyota Tacoma Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Maverick is more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma, scoring 66/100 vs 63/100.
The Toyota Tacoma demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 71/100 compared to the Ford Maverick's 54/100. While the Tacoma has a higher owner complaint rate per 10,000 sold at 30.1 versus the Maverick's 20.8, it benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $478. However, the Maverick's significantly higher number of recalls—69 over five years—suggests more systemic reliability issues compared to the Tacoma's 23 over nine years. Overall, the Tacoma offers a more dependable choice, particularly in terms of long-term repair costs and recall frequency.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Tacoma has 46 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Maverick has 9.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Ford Maverick scores 3 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Maverick vs Toyota Tacoma: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Maverick | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 63/100 |
| Years Tracked | 5 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 69 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 20.8 | 30.1 |
| Year Wins | 2 | 2 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Maverick and Toyota Tacoma?
The Toyota Tacoma and Ford Maverick exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of component reliability. The Tacoma has a significant number of complaints related to the power train and service brakes, with the latter having 13 crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Maverick faces a higher volume of issues with the power train and electrical system, the latter contributing to four crash-linked complaints. While both models experience airbag issues, the Tacoma's airbag complaints are more frequently linked to crashes, with 23 incidents compared to the Maverick's 10, suggesting a more critical safety issue in this area for the Tacoma.
| Component | Ford Maverick | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 5.9Average | 5.8Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.5Average | 2.4Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.3Low | 4.6Average |
| ENGINE | 1.6Low | 1.7Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 3Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.9Very Low | 1.1Low |
| STEERING | 0.6Very Low | 1.4Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.6Very Low | 1.2Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 1.7Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Maverick or Toyota Tacoma?
How Does Ford Maverick vs Toyota Tacoma Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Maverick | Toyota Tacoma | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1006R / 31C | 70/1004R / 33C | Ford Maverick |
| 2024 | 71/10014R / 139C | 55/1004R / 126C | Ford Maverick |
| 2023 | 60/10020R / 308C | 68/1004R / 42C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2022 | 54/10027R / 572C | 67/1003R / 51C | Toyota Tacoma |
| 2026(predicted) | 69/100(predicted) | 64/100(predicted) | Ford Maverick |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Maverick scored 77/100 and the 2025 Toyota Tacoma scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Maverick vs the Toyota Tacoma?
Ford Maverick vs Toyota Tacoma: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Maverick more reliable than the Toyota Tacoma?
- Based on our data, the Ford Maverick is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 63/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Maverick or the Toyota Tacoma?
- The Ford Maverick has more recalls (69) compared to the Toyota Tacoma (23). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Maverick or the Toyota Tacoma?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Maverick has a lower complaint rate at 20.8 per 10,000 sold versus 30.1 for the Toyota Tacoma. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford Maverick comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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