NHTSA Complaint #10734061 — 2015 FORD F-250 SD

FORD OFFERS A 20 INCH TIRE & WHEEL UPGRADE ON 4X4 LARIAT TRIM (AND OTHERS) BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SPARE TIRE IN THE UPGRADE. SPARE TIRE REMAINS AN 18 INCH WITH THE OUTSIDE DIAMETER ABOUT 1 INCH SMALLER THAN THE ROAD TIRES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ADEQUATE 4X4 PERFORMANCE, LOADED HANDLING, RIDE AND STEERING SECURITY. THIS IS A LARGER ISSUE FOR 4X4 VEHICLES THAN IT IS FOR PASSENGER CARS. FORD ADVERTISES A "CONVENTIONAL SPARE" AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT WHICH IS IN FACT SIZED THE SAME AS THE ROAD WHEELS. IN THE SHOWROOM, FORD HIDES THE FACT THAT "UPGRADING" TO 20 INCH WHEELS DOWNGRADES VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND OPERATOR SAFETY AND SECURITY IN COMPARISON TO THE BASE VEHICLE. THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER TO UPGRADE THE SPARE FOR A CHARGE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME FOR THE F150 TRUCKS ALSO.