NHTSA Complaint #11489982 — 2022 FORD MAVERICK

The 2022 Ford Maverick has a design flaw the harms the environment and places driver and passengers at risk. Specifically the vehicle does not have a metal skid plate which places the Evap System at risk for damage. If the system is damaged the vehicle is still driveable, but doing so allows gas vapors into the environment and worse, possibly into the passenger compartment. Looking under the vehicle, one finds some sort of fabric or mesh material which is definately not robust enough to protect the evap system components from damage. Driving on paved roads....no problem. Using this vehicle as a truck involves driving on farm land, pastures, lightly wooded areas,etc. This is where the damage may occur. There is no warning posted on the vehicle or in the owners manual that warns drivers to avoid these areas. The solution is simple. A recall to replace the fabric or mesh material with a metal skid plate. Most trucks and off-road vehicles have metal skid plates as standard components. Why the 2022 Maverick does not is beyond my understanding.