2016 Ford Escape

Right rear differential - 2016 AWD Ford Escape - Titanium Version - 2L engine Long story short: I had the rear brakes replaced in November 2021 at Fox Ford in Traverse City, Michigan. After having the rear brakes replaced, my husband noticed fluid leaking from around the right rear wheel. I returned the vehicle x 3 to Fox Ford; told it was the vent tube. Service advisor unable to find any reason for the right rear vent tube to be leaking. Since then, I have had my Silver Bullet looked at by my local, independent mechanic. He confirms the right rear vent tube is leaking. He noted during one of the visits the rear differential fluid was very low. Subsequent to re-filling the differential fluid, the vent tube continues to leak. Short of tearing into the rear differential, the cause is unknown, but a reported problem with Fords. I am requesting 1) additional information on this issue, and 2) a request FORD fix this issue in my beloved Silver Bullet (paying homage to fellow Michigander Pete Seeger and The Silver Bullet Band).

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that they could not perform the tire rotation due to the lug nuts being swollen. The dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 42,985. The contact has stated that the lug nuts were replaced at their own expense.

Vehicle tire became flat after striking an object in the road. Using the Ford provided equipment in the vehicle I was unable to use the lug nut wrench to remove the original Ford lug nuts from the wheel. It appears the lug nuts had become swollen/deformed and would no longer fit into the provided wrench thereby not allowing me to safely remove the affected tire and install the temporary spare. The vehicle was brought to a Ford dealership for repair. The dealer stated this is a known issue. The lug nuts are at the dealership for inspection if needed. My safety was put at risk as I was unable to remove the flat tire and install the emergency spare. A complaint was filed with Ford Motor Company as well.

Had to change the front parking lamp. To do this it was necessary to remove the front wheel. Due to swollen lug nuts I could not remove the tire. Tried the wrench on all remaining nuts and found it would not fit on any of them. It is impossible to change a flat tire. Faulty design/manufacturing. I had to replace all 20 lug nuts.

During routine oil change, the mechanic informed me that the tires could not be rotated due to swollen lug nuts. In order for other routine maintenance to be performed to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition, I had to purchase new lug nuts so the mechanic could complete the maintenance. The mechanic did not have the lug nuts available and I had to pay for labor. The reason the mechanic gave for not removing the swollen lug nuts was the lug nuts are likely to break during removal. In the event I have a flat tire, I would either be unable to remove the nuts myself or would drive with possibly damaged lug nuts. Damaged lug nuts could cause undue stress on other lug nuts, leading to breaks. Broken lug nuts mean tires can fly off cars. This seems like a major safety issue that Ford needs to address.