This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Aluminum covering on lug nuts becomes enlarged and have to be destroyed to remove them. Service tech at Ford dealership advised that he sees this problem several times per week.
The front driver side tire went flat. When a friend tried to remove lug nuts it was discovered that the lug wrench supplied by Ford with the vehicle would not fit over 3 of the 5 nuts. In a youtube video search from home I discovered that Ford had applied a metal coating to the outside of the lug nuts that in time tends to swell and prevents a socket from from going over the lug. Several videos showed people using hammers to force a larger socket over it and using an impact hammer to get the lugs off. Some took 20 mins. to remove. Since our lugs could not be removed on the roadside, a can of FIX-A-FLAT and a short drive on the near flat to a service station allowed them to get the car to a safe place for the night. The next day a call to the SERVICE MANAGER at Dick Hannah Ford dealership in Sandy Oregon (503-809-4711) was no help and he said he had never heard of this before. I called a local outlet (Estacada, Or.) (503-210-5111)of regional tire repair company Les Schawb Tires, and the manager there told me that he sees this all the time. He even completed my description of the problem with added details. He says that he has been recommending the complete removal of all lugs on any trucks or cars that come in with these lugs for years. He is saving all the lugs that come off of my car and has agreed to attest to the facts of what he finds and his past experience with this issue. I will keep the lugs if you would like to inspect them. No one was endangered in this incident. It happened on a dry day in the early afternoon just miles from a friends home. But I can't believe that no one has ever found themselves in a dangerous situation with a flat tire that can't be replaced with the very tool that FORD has provided in their vehicle for doing so. No warning has been issued, no recall initiated, and FORD keeps putting these useless tools in cars and trucks letting people believe that they will work. Several Youtube videos have documented the issue.
A hole the size of a quarter suddenly blew out of the inside section of the metal wheel while driving 65 mph, and the tire instantly went flat. There was nothing in or on the road, no prior accidents that may have damaged the wheel, and there was no existing or resulting damage to the tire. Thankfully the wheel was on the rear passenger side. If it had been on the front end, the driver most likely would have lost control of the vehicle, causing a serious accident at a high rate of speed.
Tried to remove the tires on my 2016 Ford Escape to add brake pads. The tire tool in car would not fit on any of the tire nuts. The tool would fit on the jack connector. Also tried 19mm socket. Google search said a lot of people were having this problem. I had the Ford dealership replace my tires 2 months ago and they said nothing about the swollen lug nuts.
The transmission failed at 116,00 miles with no warning. The warning light went on after the transmission failed and the car would not move. The dealer replaced the transmission at a cost of $5600. Also, the lug nuts swelled and could not be removed with the lug wrench supplied by Ford.
- Zionsville, IN, USA
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Since purchasing this vehicle there have been many issues. I had purchased the additional warranties also only to have the dealership say they were not covered. First my roof leaked. Had to take to a repair shop through the dealership, luggage racks had to be taken off and welds redone. Next the catalytic converters went bad with only approximately 50,000 miles. Ford would not talk to me and the dealership stated it is not covered under the extended warranty. Somehow I paid minimal repairs but during that time their best mechanic was fired. Next the Continental tires pealed. I had the tire warranty and the dealership would not cover. I called Continental they stated that they knew these tires were bad but yet they were still sold on vehicles! After much complaining and stress all but $400 was covered by Continental. The dealership did very little. At approximately 65,000 the engine blew. I found out by a local repair shop that Ford had an Escape safety issue on their site about the engines. After speaking with Ford twice they refused to speak to me any longer and only the dealership if I wanted the engine replaced. I did and was given numerous different amounts it would cost me. Since this was Ford's manufacturing issue I should have paid nothing. It took over 4 months to repair my vehicle. I had to complain to Ford and the dealership to get a loaner. I am a 66 year old single women who depended on the quality of Ford. I had tried to email Ford representatives and call with no reply ever. Each of these issues had no warnings lights nor were there any problems prior to the issues occurring. These issues could have caused major accident by the engine quitting in traffic or blowing, and the tires pealing. Ford motor needs to pay for all these issues. There needs to be a class action suit.
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).
I had service at Corwin Ford and inspection showed my lug nuts were in bad need of replacements. We were told there was a defect that was causing them to swell and become unsafe. No recall yet, but we were told add your name to the complaint list so they know how frequent this was a problem.
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.
The lug nuts on my Ford Escape are defective. I discovered this after a flat tire. The "overcap" on the lug nuts wiggled. They were also enlarged and would not fit any standard lug nut wrench. They could not be safely removed and replaced on my vehicle. I have since had them professionally replaced. This appears to be all over the internet.
Aug 2019 had to replace lug nuts on 3 wheels and Jan 2020 had to replace 4th wheel I was told that round tips on nuts were louse and they were buldged wheels could come off these were original I asked about recall none West herr dealer itook to my mechainic and he changed 3 wheel nut Aug then Jan he fix the rr lugs I V heard others complain grand auto teck grand is NY did my repairs wheels never came off
A rear flat tire, inconvenient but not a disaster, unless the manufacturer tools you are supplied with cant possible undo the lug nuts, now the situation could turn dangerous.. Ford puts a cover over the lug nuts, that the supplied lug wrench wont fit, or any standard tool kit, ' of course the dealership has one, ,,, why on earth should I have to have my car towed to a Ford dealer to get the tire changed.fortunately, my roadside assistant was able to fix the tire without taking it off, not everyone is that lucky...'.
Bought new tires at 44,500 miles (mush sooner than expected ) and installer could not remove lugs as they were "swollen". went to sam pack Ford, lewisville, tx where I bought vehicle. Was told by service advisors "swollen" lug nuts were a known issue and the dealers used special 19 1/2 metric sockets to remove them. They told me it cost $10 per lug to replace with Ford original lugs or they would sell me an after market set for $50 and I had to pay to have "swollen" lugs removed and new ones restored. They reiterated Ford and all dealers were well aware of the issue but Ford continues to install the problem lugs on new vehicles. The lug wrench supplied with the autos no longer will fit the "swollen" lugs so you would be stranded if a flat occurs.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact took the vehicle to grappone Ford (530 nh-3A, bow, nh 03304, (855) 902-0274) for routine maintenance and was alerted about a lug nut failure. All 20 lug nuts were corroding from road salt and could not be reused or be removed if placed on the rim again. The manufacturer provided a case number and promised a call back. The contact had not yet received a resolution. The failure mileage was 50,962. Consumer was told it could happen again from the dealer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Darlington, SC, USA