Second warning from tire dealership that lug nuts are swollen and need replaced ASAP due to swelling. Noted numerous complaints on-line

- Sugarhill, GA, USA

Brought in vehicle for service. Was told the tires couldn-??t be rotated because of -??swollen lug nuts-??. I would be responsible for replacing all 20 at a cost of around $180 for the parts. The dealership said if I should happen to get a flat tire, I would not be able to do it and the car would most likely need to be towed. I don-??t think I should have to pay for this repair on an item so basic and so important. I have not had an issue until the dealer brought it to my attention. I spoke with Ford customer service and was told this is out of warranty and there was no way to escalate my concern at Ford.

- Canton, MI, USA

May 31.2023 I was involved in an accident your left front wheel Castor and wheel. Separated from vehicle. Causing me to crash into a light pole.in the east bound lane when I was going west bound on Franklin rd in Boise id Knocking me unconscious idaho state police made report. Before accident left front wheel pulled left when braking gave car gas car pull right last thing I remember. EMT took Alfonso's hospital. As investigate because I was almost killed lucky I survive.

- Boise, ID, USA

Swollen lug nuts reported at 19,100 miles.

- Moses Lake, WA, USA

I set an appointment to take my 2014 Ford Escape into The Faricy Boys Ford Dealership in Cañon City, Colorado for a -??The Works-?? service on 21 Oct 2022. This oil change service includes oil change, oil filter, multi point inspection and tire rotation. I took it in that morning for this service and waited in the waiting area for my vehicle to be completed. I was approached by [XXX], my Service Advisor, and told they encountered an issue. [XXX] told me my -??lug nuts are swollen-?? and need to be replaced immediately for safety issues in addition to the fact that without new lug nuts they-??re unable to do the tire rotation on my vehicle. I was told that swollen lug nuts meant there-??s no way to change a tire with the provided tire wrench in the vehicle. She proceeded to tell me that they have the lug nuts in stock for just under $200. Sounded odd, extremely expensive and so I refused. $200 for lug nuts when this is a Ford issue with inferior product on an item as simple as the tires! According to what I found, -??lug nuts can swell and delaminate after changes in temperature and exposure to moisture. Vehicle owners then have to try (and apparently fail) to remove the swollen lug nuts with a lug wrench supplied with the Ford. They have to replace them.-?? At home I looked this up and found that six models of Ford vehicles from mid 2010-??s that all have the same problem. The core of the manufactured lug nuts is steel with chrome, stainless steel or aluminum to match the wheels. Now I-??m in a place where my lug nuts may not come off if I have a flat, which could strand me who knows where in addition to not knowing what other long term problems these cheap lug nuts will cause all of us who own these vehicles. We should have these lug nuts replaced at no cost with correct lug nuts that are safe and won-??t abandon us in unknown location, especially someone like me with Rheumatoid Arthritis!! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pueblo West, CO, USA

I have to keep replacing the lug nuts due to swelling. I-??ve replaced them 3 times so far and they are not saying they need to be replaced again

- Westville, NJ, USA

Could not replace tire, swollen lug nuts

- Florence, NJ, USA

All Lug nuts needed replaced due to swelling

- Talmage, PA, USA

Subj: Ford's swollen wheel lug-nut issue issue: Wheel lug-nuts on Ford vehicles become swollen and un-serviceable. The tire wrench tool that Ford provides will not fit these defective lug-nuts and because of such a flat tire can not be easily nor quickly changed.; a safety as well as a consumer issue.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Tire low air sensor will not automatically reset when properly inflated. Therefore, when the tires are actually low, it's wearing the tires out & cause the car to skid on wet roads.

- Jackson, MS, USA

Driving 65 mph, slight curve to the right. Heard a big bang and the driver side tire popped causing the car to veer to the right. The tired never shredded or anything. Upon inspection, the link kits had exploded and the stability arm had been bent.

- San Diego, CA, USA

I own Ford Escape 2014 SE. I was at my Ford/Lincoln dealership for 6-month maintenance and was informed that all lug nuts of my vehicle are swollen are to be replaced at a cost of $240 + taxes. They told me that I do not have a choice as they won't be able to put tires back. I have never heard of anything like that and trusted the dealership. Frankly, I could not visualize the problem. Upon return, I have researched it and have discovered that high-quality replacement lug nuts on amazon are $20- $40 (a pack of 20). Apparently, instead of solid steel nuts, Ford sells its vehicles with lug nuts that have a steel core with chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel caps attached to improve the appearance of the visible part of the lug nuts. The caps swell, crack, and delaminate to the point where the lug nuts cannot be removed with the lug wrench provided by Ford. This leaves owners and lessees who get flat tires often stranded on the roads without the ability for even tow truck drivers to remove the swollen lug nuts. This means a tow to the shop just to have the lug nuts removed and the tire replaced. I have filed a complaint with Ford, with no luck succeeding, but will be following up with the dealer and filing a complaint with my credit card provider if not successful. There was a class-action lawsuit that was dismissed because there were not significant "enough" and the issue was dismissed.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

My tire got a razor blade in it while I was driving. I was unable to switch to my spare after parking in my parking structure because the standard lug wrench included did not fit over the lug nuts. The lug nuts were too big for the lug wrench provided by Ford. I had to drive with a flat tire because I was unable to change it to a spare. Thankfully I was able to get to a safe place, but I am concerned for the welfare of the people who get a flat tire on a highway or an unsafe area.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I went in for an oil change, and my lug nuts had to be replaced because they went "bad." It was explained to me that the lug nuts for these vehicles were built in 2 parts. When the weather gets cold it can cause swelling and debris to get trapped in between. They told me all 20 of my lug nuts needed replaced and this just happens from time to time. I was told I had to replace them because I would be unable to change my tire in the event of a flat because the tire iron would not fit around the lug nuts anymore. When on my way back to the dealership in the shuttle, my courtesy driver was chatting with me about what I had done. I explained the situation and how I had to pay $150 to get my lug nuts replaced. He was shocked it wasn't a recall. He said they already know the makes and models affected by these faulty lug nuts.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Pirelli tire type P235/50 ZR18 97W right rear tire blew apart while driving at a steady 65 mph on a straight section of the garden state parkway. The car began to veer from side to side but I was able to coast to a stop at mile 119.9. called aaa & they sent repairman from P&J towing to change to the spare. Tire was purchased from holman Ford, turnersville, NJ. When contacted they directed us to contact pirelli. When contacted, pirelli told us to have Ford ship the failed tire to them so "their lab" could examine it. I informed the pirelli representative I was concerned about the other 3 tires on the car failing in the same manner but he offered nothing. I was told to purchase a replacement and they would offer a prorated refund. The tire was given to Ford to ship to pirelli & replacement tire was purchased at a cost of $200. I am still concerned that the other tires could fail similarly. I have attached pix of the failed tire and data from other tires purchased as part of the original set.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

I went in for a routine tire rotation. The shop was unable to remove my tires, as most of the lug nuts were swollen. Shop told me I would have been unable to remove my tire if stuck on the side of the road. Very dangerous issue, all because Ford manufactured the lug nuts with a 'soldered cap" unlike most which are one piece. The soldered cap leaks water inside, which freezes and causes the lug nut to swell, and no longer fit the tire wrench.

- Washington, DC, USA

January 9, 2019 at 10:39pm my 2014 Ford Escape caught on fire. Driving down interstate 81, going speed limit 70 mph, vehicle shut off and said "service engine now". steering and brakes did not lock up but the vehicle lost rpms and was not running as I pulled over to the right hand shoulder, I was in the left hand lane when my vehicle shut off. As I stopped, I put vehicle in park and turned key off, all while it said "service engine now". I turned my hazards on and got out my phone to call someone for help. As I looked up I seen flames coming from the windshield wiper area and smoke in front of my lights, I grabbed my work bag and jumped out of the vehicle, jumped across the guard rail, and immediately called 911 from a safe distance. In approximately 6-9 minutes the entire front end of my vehicle was engulfed in flames as I was on the phone with 911. Took responders about 15 to 20 minutes to arrive and to put out the fire. As soon as responders finally showed, I could hear both tires explode a few minutes apart from each other. Once fire was safely put out, the entire front end of my vehicle was melted and the inside as well was beyond recognizable. I was told my vehicle is totalled, obviously, and I got a tow to take vehicle to my house where the 2014 Ford Escape is sitting in my yard. I figured my insurance company might come look at it but they didn't because all I had was liability on it. I did not know until a couple days later there was in fact a recall on my vehicle, due to risk of engine fire.

- Buchanan, VA, USA

Had both front wheel bearing hubs replaced 10/18/18 at cost of $520.on 10/20/18 a loud grinding sound started happening. Took it back to dealership on 10/25/18 who said one of the bearings was defective. Ford Motor Company sent bad bearings to Ford dealership bob maxey Ford. Bearing could've caused an accident that resulted in my death or the death of another motorist.

- Howell, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was at heiser Ford Lincoln (1700 w silver spring dr., glendale, wi) for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that all of the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist because it was not related to a recall. The manufacturer stated that NHTSA was responsible for issuing recalls and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Recently went in for an oil change. While there I was informed of a coolant flush that was needed however I was not informed of a technician note that states "passenger front wheel has swollen lug nuts. Had never heard of this. Whenresearching swollen lugs nuts found many people have online complaints. Why would they not inform me? I do have receipt with statement.

- Coventry, RI, USA