2018 Ford Escape wheels & tires problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 28, 2026NVOther / UnknownSteeringWheels & Tires

   2018 Ford Escape. I have had the car since 12/2024. Less then 22000 miles in it. In this time I have had 4 alignment done. First one was 2 day after getting car. I pulls to the left. Second was 2 weeks after the first one. Then drove my car with a trailer on it to [XXX]. I made it [XXX] and dropped my load in a storage because I could not control the car. I was so scared. What should have taken maybe 2 days took a week. That was a nightmare trip. Ok so now in [XXX] took it…

   NHTSA complaint #11747057 · source
2. Filed Jul 7, 2025WIWheels & Tires

   While driving approximately 70 MPH on the highway, the rear passenger-side wheel rim suddenly failed and blew out, causing the tire to also blow out. The incident caused a sudden jolt and I nearly lost control of the vehicle. Thankfully, I was able to steer safely to the shoulder without crashing, but it was an extremely dangerous situation. The failure of the rim caused significant damage to the rear suspension. The vehicle required the following repairs: New rim Two new…

   NHTSA complaint #11671741 · source
3. Filed Apr 16, 2025MOWheels & Tires

   After removing the lugnuts so many times, they no longer stay tighten. Eventually, the bolts will wear out causing your nuts to continuously come loose. I got new tires not even 2 weeks ago and ever since, they won't stay tightened. One of them won't tighten at all, it's striped out. This is not normal wear and tear. I didn't start experiencing issues with it until I had my tires removed 6 times in less than 6 months for suspension repairs, new tires, and regular…

   NHTSA complaint #11655112 · source
4. Filed Apr 23, 2024COWheels & Tires

   Took vehicle my 2018 FWD SUV Ford Escape to Ford dealership for routine oil change service including tire rotation with 34,250 mileage on vehicle. Was told could not rotate tires as lug nuts were swollen/distorted and needed to get new ones for replacement and that my vehicle's tire iron or other conventional wrench will not fit when this happens and equipment can break, etc. Ford DID NOT have a recall for this problem. Was told the original Ford lug nuts poor quality and…

   NHTSA complaint #11584710 · source
5. Filed Mar 7, 2024NCWheels & Tires

   Lug nuts have deformed and cannot be removed with standard lug nut wrench supplied with car. Have to be removed by a mechanic and replaced with new lug nuts which if from Ford only bend again.

   NHTSA complaint #11576042 · source
6. Filed Aug 15, 202395,000 miMTWheels & Tires

   The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle in for service, the contact was made aware that the lug nuts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the lug nuts were damaged due to the manufacturing installation process. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11538633 · source
7. Filed Aug 2, 2023NJWheels & Tires

   Today, the shop I took my vehicle to for oil change and tire rotation, could not complete the tire rotation due to many lug nuts being swollen and unable to be reinstalled safely. I had to purchase seventeen new lug nuts costing several hundred dollars to make the vehicle safe again. This flaw in lug nut selection by Ford is widely known and this is not my first encounter with swollen lug nuts. Previously, I had a flat tire on a local highway. When I attempted to change the…

   NHTSA complaint #11536180 · source
8. Filed Jul 23, 2023SCWheels & Tires

   Poor lug nut design I’m sure the dealership impacted these nuts on and did follow proper torque recommendations. Had a flat and can’t remove the tire without having to destroy the lug nut or pay a big expense to tow and fix it outrageous this is a known issue with these nuts I promise the dealership doesn’t follow proper procedures torque wise.

   NHTSA complaint #11533892 · source
9. Filed Mar 15, 2023NYWheels & Tires

   After 6 month standard service, had to have 17 lug nuts replaced. All 17 were damaged after 6 month servicing after wheels were rotated.

   NHTSA complaint #11512011 · source
10. Filed Jan 24, 2023INWheels & Tires

    Dealer recommended lug nuts to be replaced. Called dealer to ask why lugs need to be replaced. Service advisor said lugs swell due to inferior materials. This vehicle only has 50,000 miles. This is not expensive to replace, makes you wonder if they cheap out on lug nuts what else is made cheap.

    NHTSA complaint #11503469 · source
11. Filed Jul 11, 2022OHWheels & Tires

    The contact owns a 2018 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for tire rotation, the mechanic informed her that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was unknown.

    NHTSA complaint #11473413 · source
12. Filed Jun 14, 2022FLWheels & Tires

    Lugnuts are aluminum and expand in the heat of Florida. It is impossible without pounding a lug nut wrench on the lugnut to get said lugnut off of the wheel.

    NHTSA complaint #11469180 · 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