2014 FORD ESCAPE Wheels Problems

Ford Motor Company should issue a recall and replace the known faulty manufacturing defective lug nuts since 2019. The lug nuts swell and can not be removed by standard lug nut wrench. This is a safety issue because recommend tire rotation is impossible with standard tools. Dealerships are requiring owners to replace faulty lug nuts at an exorbitant cost. Vehicle owners are not performing the routine tire rotation thus creating a safety hazard resulting from tire failure, roadside safety issues and crashes due to excessive tire wear. This has been a known manufacturer fault since 2019. It is immoral and unprofessional to allow this practice to continue.

During an oil change, the technician discovered 14 of the 20 lug nuts had swelled and needed replacement for a 2014 Ford Escape. The cost was $110. The service manager stated the technician would not put the old lug nuts on the vehicle since it was a safety issue. He said the nuts could not be removed with the lug wrench which comes with the vehicle and there is potential for the nuts to crack. He said Ford is aware of the problem and the cause is defective lugs especially in an environment where salt and brine solutions are used for snow and ice control. We live in Wisconsin. He suggested searching the Internet for the problem. I searched the Internet and found a large amount of complaints related to Ford Escapes and other Ford models.

The lugnuts on my 2014 Ford Escape Titanium have swollen to the point that the lug wrench will not fit to remove the lugs. I found out that this is an ongoing problem and could result in lug failure and potentially cause an accident. When the Ford Dealership (Ted Britt Ford of Chantilly, Virginia) informed me that all 20 lugs will have to be replaced at $10 per lug nut (for a total of $200) plus $50 (or so) for installation. Auto supply parts have OEM replacement lugnut for about $25 to $8for0 for a set of 20 lugnuts. Over the years I've owned 4 Ford products and am at the point of trading in my Escape for a new one, but now have my safety concerns.

Second warning from tire dealership that lug nuts are swollen and need replaced ASAP due to swelling. Noted numerous complaints on-line

Brought in vehicle for service. Was told the tires couldn’t be rotated because of “swollen lug nuts”. I would be responsible for replacing all 20 at a cost of around $180.00 for the parts. The dealership said if I should happen to get a flat tire, I would not be able to do it and the car would most likely need to be towed. I don’t think I should have to pay for this repair on an item so basic and so important. I have not had an issue until the dealer brought it to my attention. I spoke with Ford customer service and was told this is out of warranty and there was no way to escalate my concern at Ford.

May 31.2023 I was involved in an accident your left front wheel Castor and wheel . Separated from vehicle. Causing me to crash into a light pole.in the east bound lane when I was going west bound on Franklin rd in Boise id Knocking me unconscious idaho state police made report. Before accident left front wheel pulled left when braking gave car gas car pull right last thing I remember. EMT took Alfonso's hospital. As investigate because I was almost killed lucky I survive.

Swollen lug nuts reported at 19,100 miles.

I set an appointment to take my 2014 Ford Escape into The Faricy Boys Ford Dealership in Cañon City, Colorado for a “The Works” service on 21 Oct 2022. This oil change service includes oil change, oil filter, multi point inspection and tire rotation. I took it in that morning for this service and waited in the waiting area for my vehicle to be completed. I was approached by [XXX], my Service Advisor, and told they encountered an issue. [XXX] told me my “lug nuts are swollen” and need to be replaced immediately for safety issues in addition to the fact that without new lug nuts they’re unable to do the tire rotation on my vehicle. I was told that swollen lug nuts meant there’s no way to change a tire with the provided tire wrench in the vehicle. She proceeded to tell me that they have the lug nuts...

I have to keep replacing the lug nuts due to swelling. I’ve replaced them 3 times so far and they are not saying they need to be replaced again

Could not replace tire, swollen lug nuts

All Lug nuts needed replaced due to swelling

SUBJ: FORD'S SWOLLEN WHEEL LUG-NUT ISSUE ISSUE: WHEEL LUG-NUTS ON FORD VEHICLES BECOME SWOLLEN AND UN-SERVICEABLE. THE TIRE WRENCH TOOL THAT FORD PROVIDES WILL NOT FIT THESE DEFECTIVE LUG-NUTS AND BECAUSE OF SUCH A FLAT TIRE CAN NOT BE EASILY NOR QUICKLY CHANGED.; A SAFETY AS WELL AS A CONSUMER ISSUE.

TIRE LOW AIR SENSOR WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESET WHEN PROPERLY INFLATED. THEREFORE, WHEN THE TIRES ARE ACTUALLY LOW, IT'S WEARING THE TIRES OUT & CAUSE THE CAR TO SKID ON WET ROADS.

DRIVING 65 MPH, SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT. HEARD A BIG BANG AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE POPPED CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE TIRED NEVER SHREDDED OR ANYTHING. UPON INSPECTION, THE LINK KITS HAD EXPLODED AND THE STABILITY ARM HAD BEEN BENT.

I OWN FORD ESCAPE 2014 SE. I WAS AT MY FORD/LINCOLN DEALERSHIP FOR 6-MONTH MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALL LUG NUTS OF MY VEHICLE ARE SWOLLEN ARE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $240 + TAXES. THEY TOLD ME THAT I DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE AS THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT TIRES BACK. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND TRUSTED THE DEALERSHIP. FRANKLY, I COULD NOT VISUALIZE THE PROBLEM. UPON RETURN, I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT HIGH-QUALITY REPLACEMENT LUG NUTS ON AMAZON ARE $20- $40 (A PACK OF 20). APPARENTLY, INSTEAD OF SOLID STEEL NUTS, FORD SELLS ITS VEHICLES WITH LUG NUTS THAT HAVE A STEEL CORE WITH CHROME, ALUMINUM, OR STAINLESS STEEL CAPS ATTACHED TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF THE VISIBLE PART OF THE LUG NUTS. THE CAPS SWELL, CRACK, AND DELAMINATE TO THE POINT WHERE THE LUG NUTS...

MY TIRE GOT A RAZOR BLADE IN IT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH TO MY SPARE AFTER PARKING IN MY PARKING STRUCTURE BECAUSE THE STANDARD LUG WRENCH INCLUDED DID NOT FIT OVER THE LUG NUTS. THE LUG NUTS WERE TOO BIG FOR THE LUG WRENCH PROVIDED BY FORD. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH A FLAT TIRE BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE IT TO A SPARE. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE, BUT I AM CONCERNED FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO GET A FLAT TIRE ON A HIGHWAY OR AN UNSAFE AREA.

I WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND MY LUG NUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WENT "BAD." IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE LUG NUTS FOR THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT IN 2 PARTS. WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD IT CAN CAUSE SWELLING AND DEBRIS TO GET TRAPPED IN BETWEEN. THEY TOLD ME ALL 20 OF MY LUG NUTS NEEDED REPLACED AND THIS JUST HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE I WOULD BE UNABLE TO CHANGE MY TIRE IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT BECAUSE THE TIRE IRON WOULD NOT FIT AROUND THE LUG NUTS ANYMORE. WHEN ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE SHUTTLE, MY COURTESY DRIVER WAS CHATTING WITH ME ABOUT WHAT I HAD DONE. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND HOW I HAD TO PAY $150 TO GET MY LUG NUTS REPLACED. HE WAS SHOCKED IT...

PIRELLI TIRE TYPE P235/50 ZR18 97W RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW APART WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY 65 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY . THE CAR BEGAN TO VEER FROM SIDE TO SIDE BUT I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AT MILE 119.9 . CALLED AAA & THEY SENT REPAIRMAN FROM P&J TOWING TO CHANGE TO THE SPARE. TIRE WAS PURCHASED FROM HOLMAN FORD, TURNERSVILLE, NJ. WHEN CONTACTED THEY DIRECTED US TO CONTACT PIRELLI. WHEN CONTACTED, PIRELLI TOLD US TO HAVE FORD SHIP THE FAILED TIRE TO THEM SO "THEIR LAB" COULD EXAMINE IT. I INFORMED THE PIRELLI REPRESENTATIVE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER 3 TIRES ON THE CAR FAILING IN THE SAME MANNER BUT HE OFFERED NOTHING. I WAS TOLD TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT AND THEY WOULD OFFER A PRORATED REFUND. THE TIRE WAS GIVEN TO FORD TO SHIP TO PIRELLI &...

I WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION. THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY TIRES, AS MOST OF THE LUG NUTS WERE SWOLLEN. SHOP TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REMOVE MY TIRE IF STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE, ALL BECAUSE FORD MANUFACTURED THE LUG NUTS WITH A 'SOLDERED CAP" UNLIKE MOST WHICH ARE ONE PIECE. THE SOLDERED CAP LEAKS WATER INSIDE, WHICH FREEZES AND CAUSES THE LUG NUT TO SWELL, AND NO LONGER FIT THE TIRE WRENCH.

JANUARY 9, 2019 AT 10:39PM MY 2014 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 81, GOING SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH, VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND SAID "SERVICE ENGINE NOW". STEERING AND BRAKES DID NOT LOCK UP BUT THE VEHICLE LOST RPMS AND WAS NOT RUNNING AS I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER, I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE WHEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AS I STOPPED, I PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED KEY OFF, ALL WHILE IT SAID "SERVICE ENGINE NOW". I TURNED MY HAZARDS ON AND GOT OUT MY PHONE TO CALL SOMEONE FOR HELP. AS I LOOKED UP I SEEN FLAMES COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AREA AND SMOKE IN FRONT OF MY LIGHTS, I GRABBED MY WORK BAG AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, JUMPED ACROSS THE GUARD RAIL, AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. IN APPROXIMATELY 6-9 MINUTES THE ENTIRE...

HAD BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUBS REPLACED 10/18/18 AT COST OF $520.ON 10/20/18 A LOUD GRINDING SOUND STARTED HAPPENING. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 10/25/18 WHO SAID ONE OF THE BEARINGS WAS DEFECTIVE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENT BAD BEARINGS TO FORD DEALERSHIP BOB MAXEY FORD. BEARING COULD'VE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN MY DEATH OR THE DEATH OF ANOTHER MOTORIST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT HEISER FORD LINCOLN (1700 W SILVER SPRING DR., GLENDALE, WI) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE LUG NUTS WERE SWOLLEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT RELATED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

RECENTLY WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WHILE THERE I WAS INFORMED OF A COOLANT FLUSH THAT WAS NEEDED HOWEVER I WAS NOT INFORMED OF A TECHNICIAN NOTE THAT STATES "PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL HAS SWOLLEN LUG NUTS. HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS. WHENRESEARCHING SWOLLEN LUGS NUTS FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAVE ONLINE COMPLAINTS. WHY WOULD THEY NOT INFORM ME? I DO HAVE RECEIPT WITH STATEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT RUSS MILNE FORD (24777 HALL RD, MACOMB, MI 48042), THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE LUG NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE MATERIAL EXPANDING, WHICH WOULD CAUSE EXTREME DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

BREAKING MAKES KNOCKING SOUND

BOUGHT 2014 FORD ESCAPE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES WERE NOT INFLATED AT PROPER TIER PRESSURE CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO DRIVE CORRECTLY ON ROAD CAUSING ME TO SLIDE OFF ROAD DROVE CAR HOME SINCE WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM HOUSE HUSBAND AND STEP SON CAME OUT TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THEY BOTH CHECKED ALL 4 TIRES SAID EVERYONE WAS UNDER INFLATED WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF CAR NOT DRIVING PROPERLY HUSBAND ASK IF THE PANEL TOLD ME AND I SAID NO THEY PUT AIR IN ALL 4 TIRES .TAKING CAR TO FORD DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT WHILE FIXING 2 OTHER RECALLS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR A TIRE ROTATION, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE LUG NUTS FOR ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LUG NUTS FOR ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

AAA OPERATOR REPORTED THAT LUG NUT WAS SWOLLEN; COULDN'T REMOVE WITH STANDARD EQUIPMENT. DEALER TODAY SAID ALL LUG NUTS NEEDED REPLACING AS THEY WERE "SWOLLEN" DUE TO CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE CAP. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SUPPLIED TIRE IRON CAN'T REMOVE THEM. SOMETIMES THEY MUST BE SAWED OFF TO REPLACE. APPARENTLY, SAME HAPPENED WITH MY 2010 FORD FUSION. MANY SIMILAR REPORTS ON THE INTERNET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

SOMEONE AT A REST STOP IN NASH COUNTY NC POINTED OUT A BULGE IN THE SIDE OF OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE BULGE. WE REMOVED THE TIRE AND REPLACED IT BEFORE IT COULD BLOW OUT. WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON I-95 FROM SUMMERVILLE SC EN ROUTE TO DELAWARE. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON OUR VEHICLE.

GOT A FLAT AS I DROVE INTO DRIVEWAY. FIGURED ILL JUST PUT THE DONUT SPARE ON AND GET THE FLAT FIXED IN THE AM. THE LUG WRENCH THAT COMES WITH THE VEHICLE, FACTORY (IM SINGLE OWNER) DOES NOT FIT LUG NUTS. REALLY FORD? 100 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS IS THIS IS WHAT YOU COME UP WITH? POOR HENRY WOULD HAVE A FIT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A LUG NUT WRENCH TO FIT THE LUG NUTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE ENLARGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,650.

MY WIFE PULLED UP DRIVEWAY, I HAPPENED TO BE OUTSIDE NEXT TO CAR WHEN SHE PULLED IN. WE SUDDENLY HEARD LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND AND SHE STOPPED. WHEN WE FOUND NOTHING I ASKED HER TO BACK UP. WE HEARD CRUNCHING SOUND AGAIN AND SHE SAID THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CONTROLLING CAR. SHE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. WE DISCOVERED RIGHT FRONT WHEEL PUSHED AGAINST TIRE WELL OF BODY FRAME. NEXT DAY WHEN TOW TRUCK LIFTED CAR, WE DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD COME APART. PERRY FORD (SAN DIEGO) CONFIRMED BALL JOINT APPEARS TO HAVE COME APART WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS SIGN OF DAMAGE DUE TO IMPACT OR DRIVER FAULT. NOTE: MY WIFE HAD JUST COME OFF FREEWAY, TRAVELING 15 MILES FROM WORK AND 1 MILE FROM OFF RAMP TO OUR HOME. IF SHE HAD BEEN JUST ANOTHER 5 MIN ON FREEWAY TRAVELING 65-70MPH...I HATE TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS...

MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAS A GROOVE CUT AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE WALL AND IN ABOUT FOUR SPOTS CUT RIGHT DOWN TO THE THREADS. THIS HAS CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRE. *TR