The Maverick is a light, efficient little pickup, and pad jobs on it are about as affordable as it gets. That said, brake noise is the most common thing people ask about, and a few Maverick recalls touch the brakes and front suspension. Here's what to expect.
What Maverick brake work costs
| Job | Maverick years | RepairPal estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pad replacement (one axle) | 2022, 2023, 2024 | $235 to $292 |
| Brake pad replacement (one axle) | 2025, 2026 | $253 to $310 |
| Wheel bearing replacement | All | $321 to $423 |
| Wheel alignment | All | $146 to $215 |
| Brake light, trailer brake and ball joint recalls | Affected trucks | $0 at a Ford dealer |
Expect the dealer to charge more than these independent-shop ranges. If a quote includes rotors, ask for the measurement. Rotors aren't automatically replaced with every pad job.
Signs your Maverick needs pads
RepairPal's brake pad guidance lists the usual warning signs:
- High-pitched squeal when braking, from the built-in wear indicator
- Grinding, which means the pad backing plate is hitting the rotor and the rotors are now part of the bill
- Pads that look thin through the wheel spokes
- A low brake pad warning on vehicles that have one
Pad life depends heavily on how you drive. RepairPal notes that city driving, mountain driving and frequent hard braking all shorten it, and towing adds load too. There's no fixed mileage, so have the pads measured at every tire rotation.
Recalls to check before brake work
22V730 (Ford 22C24) and 25V124 (Ford 25C07): on 11,239 2022 Mavericks, the ABS module could turn the brake lights on without the driver pressing the pedal. That fails federal lighting rules and can confuse drivers behind you. The fix is an ABS software update. 25V124 covers 141 trucks that got the earlier fix wrong.
26V104: on some trucks with the integrated trailer brake controller, the trailer module can lose communication while towing, so the trailer's brakes or lights may not work. The fix is a software update by the dealer or over the air.
26V340 (Ford 26S36): the big one. On 4,653 2022-2026 Mavericks and 2021-2026 Bronco Sports, the front lower control arm ball joints may have been installed or repaired incorrectly at the plant, so the control arm could separate from the knuckle. NHTSA's record says owners should not drive affected trucks until the remedy is done. Interim letters went out in June 2026.
DIY or shop?
Front pads on a Maverick are a reasonable driveway job if you have a floor jack, jack stands, a torque wrench, a caliper piston tool and the patience to follow the torque specs. Bleed the brakes only if you know how. Rear brake designs vary by year and package, so check the service procedure for your exact truck before starting on the rears. When in doubt, let a shop handle them.
What to ask the shop
- "Front, rear or both? Can you show me the pad measurements?"
- "Are the rotors within spec, or do they really need replacing?"
- "Are you using Motorcraft or quality aftermarket pads, and what's the warranty?"
- "Are recalls 22V730, 25V124, 26V104 and 26V340 complete on my VIN?"
- "Is a brake fluid flush due, and is it included?"
Is it worth fixing?
Always. Pads are a cheap, routine wear item on the Maverick, and the recalls cost you nothing. Handle the recalls at a Ford dealer and shop the pad job around if the dealer's price is high. Just don't let a squeal turn into a grind, because that's when a $250 job becomes a pads-and-rotors job.
See more on the Ford Maverick repair page. Truck not starting? Read our Maverick 12V battery recall guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
