2017 Ford Escape

While getting routine maintenance service for an oil change and tire rotation from the Ford Dealership in Milford Ohio, I was informed by the Service Department representative that they were able to perform the tire rotation due to "swollen lug nuts" on my vehicle. The representative stated this is known issue and recommended I purchase new lug nuts from an aftermarket automotive parts supplier. - What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Since I need the vehicle for my transportation needs, I will be purchasing the new lug nuts as recommended, however, I will ask for the original lug nuts in question in the event there is an inspection request. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I do not feel at this time my safety has been put at risk. - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This problem was identified by the dealer since the dealer is who recommended replacing the lug nuts. - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else or any other organization. - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps, message or other symptoms of this problem. I was made aware of this issue by the Ford Dealership where I was getting service for an oil change and tire rotation on 12/17/2021.

I recently purchased new tires. When I went to have them installed I was told there a problem with the lug nuts (Swollen Lug Nuts). I have never heard of such a problem until I researched the internet and found this is an issue with many Ford vehicles. I had to spend an unexpected repair of $140 plus for new lug nuts. Not only is this a defect but also a safety concern. If a driver would happen to get a flat and could not change the tire because of swollen lug nuts, that is a problem. Ford is aware of the problem and has done NOTHING to correct the problem/safety concern. There are millions of these vehicles on the road and the problem needs to be addressed by FORD>

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having the tires rotated at an independent mechanic, she was informed that the lug nuts were difficult to remove. The mechanic broke the lug nuts and replaced them. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

LUG NUTS. TWO PIECE DESIGN. CHROME PART SWELLS AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE LUG NUTS WITHOUT DAMAGING THEM. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED BUT REJECTED. I HAD TO BUY A SET OF 20 NEW LUG NUTS FOR $104. FORD TECHNICIANS AND CUSTOMERS HAVE LOST MONEY BECAUSE OF THIS. I WANTED TO REPORT ANOTHER OCCURANCE IN THE HOPES THAT FORD WILL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I CAN PROVIDE A RECEIPT FOR THE PURCHASE, IF NECESSARY.

The lugnuts on my Escape are now swollen and misshapened through no fault of mine. I have been informed of this defect during last 2 service visits. Dealer did not rotate tires on last service because of this problem. This is a safety issue since lugnuts hold wheel and tire onto car. The expense to replace should not be absorbed by owner of vehicle, but rather by the manufacturer.

Had an increasingly loud wheel noise and pulled over to check tires. Passenger rear wheel lugs were noticeably loose. Could not get the Ford supplied jack-handle wrench on the the lug nuts. Tried a 4-way wrench and still could not get it on. Gave up and called AAA. The technician also could get get his impact wrench on the nuts to tighten them. Using an oversized socket, he did get some turning but the damaged lug nuts could not be tightened. We found 4 of 5 on that wheel, and at least 2 on every other wheel to be loose and not able to be tightened at the roadside. The vehicle was unsafe to drive, or be towed without a flat-bed recovery vehicle. The dealer had the gall to charge me $5/each for 20 new lug nuts that are just the same kind and will no doubt also have the same problem in a few years. Of course, I'll be replacing them soon with solid piece after market products. 1. Ford has been using these 2-piece lug nuts, knowing there is a problem for many years. 2. This vehicle was inspected at the dealer less than 3 months prior. They should have known to check this and replaced them at that time. They did not. 3. This wheel should not have been loose in the first place. The dealer was the last one with the wheels off during inspection and rotation. They did not even acknowledge that problem. EVERY single FORD dealer -- but especially those in the Northeastern US where corrosive materials are applied to the road in winter -- should be inspecting these defective lug nuts every time they see the vehicle. Simple putting the right sized socket on each nut to see if it fits would have been sufficient. Ford should be replacing defective lug nuts at their expense.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while having routine maintenance at the local dealer, he was informed that the lug nuts were swollen, and all the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driver’s side run-flat tire loss air. As the contact pulled over and attempted to change the tire, he discovered that the lug nuts were deformed and could not be removed with the lug wrench. The contact's wife called the manufacturer however, the manufacturer offered no assistance. Two fellow motorists were able to assist the contact and the tire was replaced. The contact had the lug nuts replaced. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer however, there was no response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.