NHTSA Complaint #11550216 — 2017 FORD F-150

On Sunday, October 8th 2023, my wife and I were returning home on a remote stretch of US Highway 24, 15 miles east of Buena Vista, Colorado, when we got a flat rear passenger tire. I pulled over at a safe location to change the tire. While attempting to remove the flat tire, I was unable to get the factory supplied lug wrench on any of the 6 lug nuts. Because of the remote location we had very limited cell service and were having challenges contacting a towing service. I eventually found a rock and was able to pound the lug wrench socket onto several of the lug nuts and managed to remove 4 of 6 lug nuts. The final 2 nuts became stripped and I could not remove them. Meanwhile, my wife contacted a tow service and 3 hours later, they arrived. The tow truck drive used a large hammer to pound a 7/8" socket onto the remaining nuts and used an impact wrench to remove them and then to put all the lug nuts back on. He informed me this is a common issue with my year and make of truck and they are called "Swollen lug nuts." I was very surprised that this was a known issue and there was not a recall issued to replace defective parts. It is extremely irresponsible to not notify owners of this issue, especially when I was sold a 4x4 wheel drive, off road vehicle and live in a state (Colorado) where cell service can be limited to non-existent. This issue could easily lead to death by not being able to replace a flat tire.