NHTSA Complaint #11690843 — 2023 FORD MAVERICK HYBRID

Vehicle information: Ford Maverick 2023 Hybrid, with roughly 37,000 miles, observed failure on [XXX]. The failed component/system is the A/C evaporator condensation drain system. The drain line became clogged, which I believe is a critical defect in either the design, component, or construction of the drainage system. The lack of a fail-safe in this system, instead of draining water outside of the vehicle, the condensation backed up and leaked directly into the vehicle's cabin onto the driver and passenger side footwells. The vehicle is currently at the dealership (Windward Ford), undergoing diagnosis/repair, and available for inspection upon request. The pooling of a large volume of water on both the driver and passenger side floorboards to include the path of where the water originates as it collects at the footwell, creates an unreasonable risk of safety failure due to the proximity of critical electrical systems; fire/short circuit risk, loss of vehicle control due to damage to electronic modules from water intrusion, as well as health hazard with prolonged saturation of pores material resulting to mold and mildew growth. The issue has been reproduced at the dealership (Windward Ford), and confirmed that the issue is an A/C evaporator drain clog, causing the leak, and the carpet and interior padding were saturated, requiring extensive cleaning and replacement. The failed component/system has been inspected by technicians at the dealership. The diagnosis and repair estimates are on file with the dealership. There were no warning lamp indicators or messages, just the damped smell, which was noticed a few weeks prior to the visual indicator of a water puddle in the floorboard. The odor is a direct result of the ongoing, hidden water leak and saturation of the carpet, indicating a slow, chronic problem caused by the defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)