NHTSA Complaint #11713754 — 2023 FORD MAVERICK

The throttle body component of the vehicle failed at approximately 40,000 miles. While this is an engine component that experiences normal wear and tear, throttle body valves fail anywhere between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. I have owned previous vehicles, each crossing the 100,000-mile mark, with no replacement or concern with the throttle body. My concern with this vehicle's throttle body relates to the outdoor weather conditions when the vehicle reported an issue. The outside air temperature was 3 degrees Fahrenheit with moderate winds and a wind chill of approximately -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Researching online, this appears to be a recurrent issue among other owners of this particular vehicle. When started, the vehicle appeared to misfire, potentially entering limp mode. An amber wrench light illuminated, indicating to have the vehicle serviced, and the engine light illuminated, indicating a problem with the emissions system. Additionally, the vehicle pushed a notification to my smartphone that stated the following: "The engine control system has detected the electronic throttle body is not responding as commanded and requires service." The vehicle was turned off and sat for 15 minutes. When the vehicle was restarted, the wrench light turned off, but the engine light remained on, not flashing. The vehicle operated normally, with no misfire. The failure of the throttle body in adversely cold conditions may cause the engine to stall or misfire, decreasing driver control and increasing the potential of a crash. It is of concern that this component seems to have failed early compared to other vehicles currently on the market. I believe the weather to be a contributing factor. The servicing dealership has confirmed that the throttle body must be replaced and has the appropriate part on back order. As this vehicle was not involved in an accident, no police reports or insurance claims have been filed. I plan on reaching out to the manufacturer to address these concerns.