NHTSA Complaint #11282078 — 2016 FORD FOCUS

THE LUG NUTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED, AND THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOW BY THE FORD DEALER, (FELIX SABATES FORD, CHARLOTTE, NC) AND TIRE SHOPS SUCH AS GOODYEAR. THE ALUMINUM OVER-CAP ON THEM BECOMES "SWELLED" AND DEFORMED TO THE POINT THAT A LUG WRENCH WILL NOT FIT ON THEM, AFTER ONLY A FEW USES. THIS CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A NUISANCE, AS IT CAN LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE. FORD REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE WITH REPLACEMENT LUGS NUTS WHEN I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF COMPENSATING THE DOZENS OF CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. I HAD TO PAY FOR AFTER-MARKET REPLACEMENTS. THERE IS NO WAY LUG NUTS SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS (5 TIRE ROTATIONS), AND THE DEALER DID MOST OF THEM. I PAID $62 + 8% TAX FOR REPLACEMENTS (WHILE I WAS AT GOODYEAR). SEE PHOTOS OF DEFORMED LUG NUTS AND RECEIPT FOR REPLACEMENTS. *DL