NHTSA Complaint #11432709 — 2014 FORD FOCUS

HI, Ortega Highway in California. got a flat tire. I pulled over to change to the spare and can't get the lug wrench (OEM) on the nuts...(drizzling steadily) I see I am risking stripping the lugs. I'm in the forest- cell signal is spotty. I'm left no choice but to drive on my flat tire slowly to a gas station (several miles) And they can't get it off. I call for a tow to tire shop. They show up in a car w/ a 4 way lug wrench..because of course, they assumed they had to fit. must be my ineptness..and he can't get one lug loose. And now I miss my appt., I have to wait another two hours for a tow truck, while several creepy people want to "help" me.... (help me get thrown in their trunk they mean.. ) I'm making light of it now, but I really resent my safety being put in jeopardy and not even given a heads up when Ford knows it's a problem...no surprise, I've got a Focus transmission .Any integrity & ownership of defective design is non existent.. I can forgive mistakes, they happen. And as long as I am aware of them, I can prepare... But Ford doesn't give a [XXX] about our safety. I've had it, no trust is left. Cost benefit analysis is their concern, which saves them money short term yay, for stockholders & CEO bonuses. Ignoring their long term loss of customers due to unethical behavior. Tangent over.. I made it to the tire shop 15 minutes before close. That shop was the place I first learned of the lug nut "2 metal swelling and stripping" issues. He had a special tool just for Ford Lug nuts. This has happened several times since then... I have had to leave my car on the side of the road, also, drive it to the tire shop slowly. damaging my rim... But my real concern is getting a flat tire that I cannot change myself because the lugs strip/ swell in some isolated area... was lucky it was day that first time, scary as [XXX]...Ford puts drivers in unsafe situations because irresponsibility is now it's business model. Cost us time, money, & piece of mind INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM