2016 Ford Escape wheels & tires problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 25, 2025CABrakesEngineWheels & Tires

   On October 16, 2022, I purchased a 2016 Ford Escape from the Stowasser Buick GMC car lot. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle since the beginning. On November 1, 2022, I took my car to their service department because it was running poorly. The mechanics worked on my vehicle and returned it to me. However, on January 8, 2023, I had to take my vehicle back to Stowasser shop because it was again running poorly. This time, they had to install a new motor. At that…

   NHTSA complaint #11650477 · source
2. Filed Nov 10, 2024WAWheels & Tires

   My Ford mechanic states that my lug nuts are swollen. This would make it impossible for me to change my tires if something happened and I had a flat tire on the road. This seems a like a clear manufacturing defect and should be addressed at their expense not mine. Ford is quoting a price of $276 (without taxes) to replace all lug nuts. This is ridiculous.

   NHTSA complaint #11624417 · source
3. Filed Aug 5, 2024TXWheels & Tires

   There was a flat on the left rear tire last Friday, Aug 2. It had to be changed at home because it was ruined and could not be aired up. When I tried to take the lug nuts off, the plastic coating on the nuts (whose stupid idea was that!!) made it impossible to get the Ford lug wrench on the nuts. Since my options at that time were very limited, I hammered the lug wrench on by force and finally got the nuts off. It did not improve their looks or usefulness a bit. After buying…

   NHTSA complaint #11606572 · source
4. Filed Apr 16, 2024SCWheels & Tires

   Aluminum covering on lug nuts becomes enlarged and have to be destroyed to remove them. Service tech at Ford dealership advised that he sees this problem several times per week.

   NHTSA complaint #11583332 · source
5. Filed Mar 22, 2024ORCrashTowedWheels & Tires

   The front driver side tire went flat. When a friend tried to remove lug nuts it was discovered that the lug wrench supplied by Ford with the vehicle would not fit over 3 of the 5 nuts. In a youtube video search from home I discovered that Ford had applied a metal coating to the outside of the lug nuts that in time tends to swell and prevents a socket from from going over the lug. Several videos showed people using hammers to force a larger socket over it and using an impact…

   NHTSA complaint #11578935 · source
6. Filed Dec 20, 2023IAWheels & Tires

   A hole the size of a quarter suddenly blew out of the inside section of the metal wheel while driving 65 mph, and the tire instantly went flat. There was nothing in or on the road, no prior accidents that may have damaged the wheel, and there was no existing or resulting damage to the tire. Thankfully the wheel was on the rear passenger side. If it had been on the front end, the driver most likely would have lost control of the vehicle, causing a serious accident at a high…

   NHTSA complaint #11561169 · source
7. Filed Jul 11, 2023FLWheels & Tires

   I purchased the Goodyear Assurance tires (235/55R17) when I purchased my Escape with the understanding that they had a life of 80,000 miles. They're barely through the halfway point and show signs of cracking and wire protrusion. We ran over a screw and they hole was beyond repair and the technician pointed out how the tire was failing. All four are being replaced for safety concerns.

   NHTSA complaint #11531656 · source
8. Filed Jul 4, 2023SCWheels & Tires

   Tried to remove the tires on my 2016 ford escape to add brake pads. The tire tool in car would not fit on any of the tire nuts. The tool would fit on the jack connector. Also tried 19mm socket. Google search said a lot of people were having this problem. I had the ford dealership replace my tires 2 months ago and they said nothing about the swollen lug nuts.

   NHTSA complaint #11530317 · source
9. Filed May 8, 2023INTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   The transmission failed at 116,00 miles with no warning. The warning light went on after the transmission failed and the car would not move. The dealer replaced the transmission at a cost of $5600. Also, the lug nuts swelled and could not be removed with the lug wrench supplied by Ford.

   NHTSA complaint #11520969 · source
10. Filed Jan 27, 202349,436 miWAWheels & Tires

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, the contact was informed that the lug nuts on all four wheels had become swollen and could not be removed. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,436.

    NHTSA complaint #11504004 · source
11. Filed Jan 19, 2023OHBody & StructureEngineWheels & Tires

    Since purchasing this vehicle there have been many issues. I had purchased the additional warranties also only to have the dealership say they were not covered. First my roof leaked. Had to take to a repair shop through the dealership, luggage racks had to be taken off and welds redone. Next the catalytic converters went bad with only approximately 50,000 miles. Ford would not talk to me and the dealership stated it is not covered under the extended warranty. Somehow I paid…

    NHTSA complaint #11502587 · source
12. Filed Dec 9, 2022SCWheels & Tires

    Wheel lug nuts have swollen & distorted. Can't have tires rotated or worse, can't change tire if flat occurs away from home.

    NHTSA complaint #11496751 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology