NHTSA Complaint #11708076 — 2017 FORD F-150

12/31/2025 NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue involving my Ford F-150. On [XXX] in rural Alaska, my Ford F-150 experienced a flat tire in extreme winter conditions (approximately –15°F). I was traveling with my [XXX] child. When we attempted to change the tire, the lug nuts could not be removed using the factory tools provided with the vehicle. A tow truck was dispatched from the only available service on a holiday evening, which was 45 minutes away. The tow operator was then unable to remove the lug nuts with any of his professional equipment. We were subsequently informed that this is a known issue with Ford’s chrome-capped, two-piece lug nuts swelling or deforming, making them incompatible with standard sockets. As a result, what should have been a routine roadside tire change became a prolonged and dangerous situation for my child and me in life-threatening cold. We were stranded for 3 hours and nearly ran out of gas keeping the vehicle warm. It took a blowtorch provided by a passing Good Samaritan to complete the tire changeover. This failure created a significant safety hazard. A vehicle that cannot have a flat tire serviced during an emergency—especially in extreme weather—poses an unacceptable risk to occupants. This was not due to misuse, improper maintenance, or lack of tools, but rather an apparent design or materials defect that rendered the lug nuts unusable. Vehicle details: - Year/Model: 2017 Ford F-150 - VIN: [XXX] - Location of incident: Miles outside of Willow, Alaska This situation placed a minor child at risk in extreme winter conditions and should not occur in any Ford vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)