NHTSA Complaint #11484342 — 2017 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, he heard a popping sound from the passenger’s side rear tire. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway and observed that the tire had lost a significant amount of air pressure and needed to be changed. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the lug nuts using the factory provided lug wrench, the wrench was unable to fit the lug nuts. The contact stated that roadside assistance arrived and it was difficult to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that after much effort, the flat tire was removed and replaced with the spare tire. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that all the lug nuts needed to be replaced due to the design of the lug nuts, which had a chrome cap that became swollen due to friction while driving. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.