What 1,734 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Escape Gas

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 to car max and explained what happened. Alignment always out. Always pulls to left. Carmax had my car 3 days called me and said I need a Alignment and 4 new tires. I was like what I just drove from [XXX]. Gentlemen told me I shouldn't have drove that car with it like that. I said carmax in [XXX] a load me to. Car repair places just think we can drop of our car and say here. I don't have another car to us will that one in the shop. Now the forth was when I got back into [XXX] which was maybe 2 months later. So my car did a lot of sitting in the driveway when I was in nc. With this car u have to have your hands both on the wheel because if u hit a pot hole the car goes crazy. I have been drive for about 40 yrs and I'm from [XXX] where u can drive not legally but able to drive with your knee,eat with the left hand will putting on makeup with the right. I can't do that. I can't even take my eyes off the road because the car will go to the left and I'm not even steering that way. So anyone out there please help. This is my first Ford and it's been a nightmare. Plus less then 40000 I have had a new battery alternator and start put in. My window wipes don't work. Came on it never rains in [XXX] so what the. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11747057

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 tires Right Rear Control Arm – Forward Right Rear Control Arm – Adjustable Right Rear Trailing Arm Lower Rear Lateral Link Rear Suspension Shock Absorber All of this stemmed from the catastrophic failure of the rim at highway speed, which I believe should never occur on a properly maintained vehicle with no prior wheel damage. The failure occurred without hitting debris or a known pothole and was not due to a slow leak or flat—it was a sudden rim failure. This presents a major safety hazard not only to drivers of Ford Escapes but to others on the road. I urge the NHTSA to investigate whether other similar failures have occurred in 2018 Ford Escape models. A recall or formal review may be warranted.

NHTSA ODI 11671741

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 maintenance. This isn't even this first I'm hearing of this issue with this same car. I've had several mechanics ask me if I've ran into the issue yet since it's so common. This on top of the 6f35 transmission failures in this car (amd other things) these things aren't safe to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11655112

Lug nuts are swollen and need to be replaced. It seems like this is an issue with Fords.

NHTSA ODI 11622826

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 design so bought new better ones from different manufacturer. I believe this should be a covered recall issue. Ford service code from invoice: ACPZ1012HX (I am unable to upload/attach invoice)

NHTSA ODI 11584710

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 ODI 11576042

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 mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538633

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 tire, the provided lug wrench would not fit the lugs. A wrecker was summoned and the driver was also not able to remove the lugs with any sockets he had. The vehicle needed to be towed to my Ford Dealer. Lug nuts were replaced at that time as well. My concern is the safety of the lug nuts since heating can caus them to swell and distort. Are they also being prematurely weakened due to inappropriate materials being used?

NHTSA ODI 11536180

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 ODI 11533892

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 ODI 11512011

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 ODI 11503469

swollen and deformed lug nuts told to me by ford dealer. They need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11492093

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 ODI 11473413

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 ODI 11469180

Had vehicle at the dealership for standard oil change and tire rotation. Service member included a note that says "Replace 12 swollen lug nuts next visit." This seems like a dangerous situation to me and Ford Motor dealer should have automatically replaced them.

NHTSA ODI 11446598

Lug nuts swelled and were replaced at my expense by a Ford dealership. There were no warning messages. Problem found at routine tire rotation.

NHTSA ODI 11440167

Got a flat tire. The lug wrench that came with the vehicle was too small. I tried a lug wrench that had four sizes. Three were too small and one was too big. I had to call a tow. The driver had a lot of tools and tried to change the tire. He wasn't able to, so I had to get it to a tire shop. When I called in advance, they asked if it was a Ford. They informed me that there was a defect with their lug nuts that causes moisture and dirt to get in between two layers and the result is swelling. I had them replace all twenty lug nuts. A simple 5 minute tire change turned into a 4 hour ordeal and added expense.

NHTSA ODI 11436881

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11413486

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER WORK AREA. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN EXITING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND SAW THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD A PIECE OF METAL INSERTED. THE DRIVER CALLED AAA AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE DUE TO THE LUG NUTS. THE CONTACT STATED AAA HAD TO CALL A THIRD PARTY TO ASSIST WITH CHANGING THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER MULLINAX FORD OF CENTRAL FLORIDA LOCATED AT 1551 E SEMORAN BLVD, APOPKA, FL 32703, (407) 890-0557, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING LUG NUTS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,002.

NHTSA ODI 11343881

WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUT WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, AND LATER THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, CONFIRMED THAT FORD HAS AN ISSUE WITH LUG NUTS "SWELLING' WHICH RENDERS YOUR FACTORY ISSUED WRENCH UNUSABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO FORD YET THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11256799

ON LATE EVENING OF MAY13, 2019 I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE (ODOMETER IS AT 1368 MILES) ON EXCELLENT ROAD CONDITIONS ALONG SIDE ONE VEHICLE WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. WE JUST PASSED UNDER TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH ESTIMATED SPEED AT 10-15MPH. WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BUCKLED UNDER THE FRAME. THE SOUND WAS FRIGHTENING AND SO LOUD THAT THE DRIVER NEXT TO ME HEARD THE INCIDENT AND TURNED AROUND AT THE NEXT LIGHT TO COME BACK AND CHECK ON ME. I SKIDDED IN MY TRAVEL LANE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15FEET.THERE WAS NO COLLISION, NOR IMPACT WITH ROAD MEDIAN NOR DID I COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY DEBRIS / POTHOLES ON ROAD. IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHICH IS ONE OF THE WONDERFUL SAFETY FEATURES WHICH HELPED BASE MY DECISION ON PURCHASING OF MY ESCAPE. THE DAMAGE CAUSED DIFFICULTY TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM RIM IN ADDITION TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE DAMAGE. I FOUND SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON THE FORD RECALL SITE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED , YET I HAVE A CLAIM IN WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY.$500 DEDUCTIBLE UNPLANNED EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI 11209811

I WAS DRIVING HOME 11-28-18 5:40PM PST WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWERVED HARD TO THE RIGHT; I HAD NO CONTROL, & IT CAUSED ME TO HIT A PARKED UNOCCUPIED CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I HAD NOT HIT ANY OBJECT NOR POTHOLE. VEHICLE IS 6 MONTHS OLD. SUSPENSION GAVE WAY. PARTS OF SUSPENSION WERE LAYING ON THE STREET. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE DUE TO SUSPENSION FAILING. MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I WAS DRIVING 15 MPH. I HAVE PHOTOS; 2 ARE ATTACHED TO THIS FORM. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I AM UNABLE TO ATTACH THAT DOCUMENT. NO POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ODI 11160538