2015 Ford Escape Other / unspecified Problems

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a coolant leak in the engine. The independent mechanic stated that there was coolant leaking into the #3 cylinder, causing the engine to overheat. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V011000 (Equipment); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11753969

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

Mileage

107,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle due to a potential fire risk. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention) and 26V011000 (Equipment). An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer who confirmed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the vehicle was scheduled to be towed to the local dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11727161

Incident

Mar 26, 2026

Mileage

88,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an oil change. The contact was informed by the dealer that the lug nuts were swollen, making it difficult to remove wheels from the vehicle. The contact was informed that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had disconnected the call after multiple attempts to contact the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 26,470.

NHTSA ID

11626673

Incident

Nov 21, 2024

Mileage

26,470 mi

After getting a flat tire I could not get the lug nuts off by hand. They are aluminum and strip easily. Needed to call a tow truck with an air gun to get lug nuts off. Even with the air gun they strip. My mechanic says I now need 10 new lug nuts. That is after buying 8 about 2 years ago.

NHTSA ID

11595418

Incident

Jun 20, 2024

After purchasing suv the back seatbelt buckle popped while holding carseat. Second incident while driving car shut off and radio made a popping noise electrical issues stored happening Radio went out electrical functions won’t stay positioned back camera is blinking on an off upside down

NHTSA ID

11539188

Incident

May 3, 2022

On July 06, 2023, I took my wife's Ford Escape to Dick Masheter Ford for an oil change and tire rotation. It is the dealership that we bought the car new. The car is a 2015 and has only 44000 miles on it. The technician came over to the service representative so I knew there was a problem. They informed me that the wheel lug nuts had swollen and the parts department didn't have any lug nuts in stock. I would have to go somewhere else to get them replaced. I did some research on the internet and found out that my problem is not new to Ford. I have bought Ford cars for my wife and me for the last twenty years and I feel Ford should offer help on my wife's car. If not replace the lug nuts then assist in changing them out when I rotate the tires again.

NHTSA ID

11531621

Incident

Jul 6, 2023

I got a nail in a tire the other day and couldnt get the ford lug nut off, I was told by a mechanic that the lug nut had expanded and due to further inspection I now have to replace all of the lug nuts, there really should be a recall put in to place it is a huge expense to take your vehicle to a shop

NHTSA ID

11490537

Incident

Oct 22, 2022

Took vehicle in for scheduled oil change, tire rotation and inspection. Upon cashing out was told they could not rotate tires because of bad lug nuts. Would have to order new ones at a cost of $227. This to me seems to be a Ford Company problem. If I would have had a flat tire, I would have been stranded as tire could not have been changed. This is unacceptable and Ford needs to fix this and I should be compensated.

NHTSA ID

11484573

Incident

Sep 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the rear passenger’s side wheel, the contact’s son-in-law discovered that the lug nuts were swollen and the supplied lug nut wrench could not be properly fit over the lug nuts. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who replaced the lug nuts. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 61,510.

NHTSA ID

11476532

Incident

Jul 28, 2022

Mileage

61,510 mi

On 11/21/21 I went to Sam's Club to have new tires installed. They were unable to remove lug nuts on both back tires, they said the nuts were swollen. They could not proceed with tire installation. On 11/23/21 I went to Goodyear for new tire installation. They also found the lug nuts to be swollen. They were able to get them removed and complete the tire installation, with 5 lug nuts needing to be replaced at a cost of $39.95. They suggested I purchase a full set of lug nuts and get them all replaced soon. There was no warning message alerting me to this issue so I had no idea until I tried to have the car serviced. Both Sam's and Goodyear said they see this problem often on Ford vehicles. Doing some research on the internet, I see that many people have this issue with Ford.

NHTSA ID

11443249

Incident

Nov 21, 2021

Had my tires rotated and the mechanic had a very hard time getting the lug nuts off. He said this the worst design that are on Ford’s. If you get a flat tire on the side of the road trying to change your tire it would be very dangerous. He said why Ford hasn’t had a callback is ridiculous.

NHTSA ID

11438408

Incident

May 12, 1945

Took car in for maintenance (my Ford dealer) and was told needed new lug nuts. Was informed that it is “a known issue” with the lug nuts. I don’t see a recall but see quite a few issues reported. If their as dangerous as implied by the dealer then why not on recall. Was quoted over $300 to replace them.

NHTSA ID

11434406

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

MANUFACTURER DOES NOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT TOOLS FOR REMOVING THE LUG NUTS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS COULD PROLONG THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAUSE A USELESS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11323979

Incident

May 7, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO ROTATE THE TIRES AND FOUND THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE DEALER HAD TO USE A SCREWDRIVER AND HAMMER TO RELEASE THE LUG NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,321. *MP*JB

NHTSA ID

11286603

Incident

Dec 3, 2019

Mileage

66,321 mi

ON MY 2015 FORD ESCAPE I COULD NOT GET THE LUG NUTS OFF TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON 8/9/2019. HAD TO TAKE TO MECHANIC TO HAVE LUG NUTS REMOVED. IT APPEARS THE LUG NUT SWELLED UP AND THE LUG WRENCH THAT FORD SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE DID NOT FIT

NHTSA ID

11243309

Incident

Aug 9, 2019

Mileage

27,000 mi

IN LATE MARCH 2019, I HIT A LARGE POT HOLE AND HAD AN INSTANT FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OVER TO AN AREA WHERE I WOULD NOT IMPEDE ON TRAFFIC FLOW. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO REMOVE THE LUG NUTS WITH THE LUG NUT WRENCH THAT I WAS PROVIDED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I USED THE WRENCH. IT WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER SEVERAL GOOD SAMARITANS STOPPED TO HELP US, THEY WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE LUG NUTS WITH THEIR TOOLS. I REPLACED THE TIRE AND LEARNED OF THE "SWOLLEN LUG NUT" SYNDROME OF SEVERAL MAKES OF CARS. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2015. I EXPLAINED I DID NOT WANT TO BE ON A DARK, RAINY ROAD WITHOUT A USABLE WRENCH. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT, IT IS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER, IN TURN, THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS THE FAULT/RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. IN ALL OF THE PAPERWORK FROM CHECK UPS TO REPAIRS, NOTHING WAS EVER MENTIONED ABOUT SWOLLEN LUG NUTS. I HAD ALL OF THE LUG NUTS REPLACED SO MY LUG WRENCH WOULD WORK ON THE LUGS THAT ARE HOLDING MY TIRES ON. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE TIRES AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES. IN ADDITION TO THE 4 TIRE REPLACEMENT, I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE TWO OTHER NEW TIRES, GET THEM WORN DOWN TO MATCH MY EXISTING TIRES AS I HAVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. IN REGARDS TO THE POT HOLE, I CONTACTED THE LOCAL ROAD COMMISSION TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE SITUATION. SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS MET THE SAME POT HOLE.

NHTSA ID

11204541

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FLAT TIRE WAS BEING CHANGED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE LUG NUT WRENCH DID NOT FIT ONTO THE LUG NUTS. LINDSAY FORD (11250 VEIRS MILL RD, WHEATON, MD 20902, (888) 457-7005) STATED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE ALUMINUM AND TENDED TO SWELL UP. THE DEALER OFFERED TO SUPPLY NEW LUG NUTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH STEEL LUG NUTS FOR $200. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THEM INDEPENDENTLY FOR $30. THE CONTACT WROTE THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REPLIED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11182251

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

FACTORY LUG NUTS ON CAR COULD NOT BE REMOVED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE/ VEHICLE SERVICING. BROKEN LUG WAS DRILLED OUT AND ALL LUGS REPLACED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. DEALER RECOMMENDED AN AFTERMARKET LUG NUT KIT TO AVOID REPEAT OF THE ISSUE. THESE PARTS NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES ARE REALIZED. I HAVE THE BAD PARTS AND RECEIPT OF MY SERVICE VISIT FOR MY RECORDS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE FAILED PARTS. RIDICULOUS TO THINK I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON SIDE OF THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11165839

Incident

Jan 4, 2019

Mileage

74,200 mi

I HAVE A FLAT TIRE. WHEN GOING TO CHANGE IT, I FOUND THAT THE LUG WRENCH WOULD NOT FIT THE LUG NUTS ON THE WHEELS. I WAS TOLD AT THE FORD DEALER THAT THE LUG NUTS SWELLED SO THE LUG WTENCH WOULD NO LONGER FIT THE LUGS PREVENTING THE TIRE FROM BEING REMOVED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE TIRE. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY FOR OVER 3 HOURS WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO PURCHASE NEW LUG NUTS FOR MY CAR BECAUSE THEY WERE CHEWED UP GETTING THEM REMOVED. THEY WERE ALSO HARD TO TIGHTEN WHEN PUTTING ON THE SPARE TIRE.

NHTSA ID

11163873

Incident

Dec 17, 2018

Mileage

55,600 mi

GOT A NAIL IN ONE TIRE. TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE FOR REPAIR. THEY COULDN'T GET THE LUG NUTS OFF AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM PEOPLE WERE HAVING WITH THE 2 PIECE LUG NUTS. GOT ANOTHER FLAT A FEW MONTHS LATER AND WAS AGAIN NOT ABLE TO USE THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET THE LUG NUTS OFF. FORD DEALER TOLD ME TO GET AFTERMARKET ONE PIECE LUG NUTS AND CHANGE THEM ALL OUT. I'M AN OLDER FEMALE AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM NOT ABLE TO USE THE SPARE AND MIGHT GET STRANDED IF I HAVE ANOTHER FLAT. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO GET THIS FIXED, NOT JUST FOR ME, BUT FOR EVERYONE WHO OWNS A FORD THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS MAY BE THE LAST FORD I BUY.

NHTSA ID

11144406

Incident

Oct 30, 2018

Mileage

47,000 mi

NEW 235/45R19 FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE2 WERE BOUGHT FOR MY CAR ON 7/27/2017. THE MILAGE ON MY CAR AT THAT TIME WAS 42,982, AND MY CURRENT MILAGE IS 56,875. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE TIRES WERE PUT ON AN ALIGNMENT WAS DONE ON MY CAR. SINCE THEN THEY ARE ROTATED AND BALANCED ON A REGULAR BASIS. ON 5/24/2018 I BEGAN HEARING A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A WHEEL BEARING. WE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR AND AFTER THE WEEKEND IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THAT ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WASN'T THE WHEEL BEARING, BUT THERE WAS A BROKEN BELT IN ONE OF THE TIRES, AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT TREADS ON MY TIRES ARE 7/32 ON 3 TIRES AND 2/32 ON THE BROKEN TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE PLACE WERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER THAT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT ON MY OWN. I CONTACTED THE FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE COMPANY AND HAVE FOR THE PAST WEEK AND A HALF BEEN TRYING TO GET MY TIRE REPAIRED, AND BEEN WITHOUT A CAR. THERE ARE NO TIRES AVAILABLE IN MY SIZE WITHIN THEIR COMPANY TO REPLACE MY TIRE, SO I NOW HAVE TO BUY 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY CAR SO I AM ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT AGAIN. THEY HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH AND I HAVE CONTINUALLY HAD TO MAKE PHONE CALLS, AND NOW HAVE TO SPEND MONEY OUT OF POCKET TO BUY TIRES BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL THEIR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11099836

Incident

May 24, 2018

Mileage

56,875 mi

WE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE IT TO THE SPARE BUT THE LUG WRENCH THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FIT. SO WE CALLED AAA. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY COULD NOT FIND A TOOL TO TAKE OFF THE NUTS SO WE COULD NOT PUT ON THE SPARE. HE WAS GOING TO SEND FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET IT TO A SHOP TO CUT THEM OFF. I DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO WAIT SO I CAME BACK LATER AND WAS ABLE TO POUND ON A 3/4 SOCKET AND GET THE NUTS OFF. THE AAA A PERSON SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD NUTS. THE DISCOUNT TIRE PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ALSO. I MENTIONED IT TO A FRIEND AND THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND HAD TO SPEND OVER 120 TO GET THEIR LUG NUTS REPLACED AT A FORD DEALER WHO KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALSO. TO RAP THIS UP I WAS STRANDED WITH OUT BEING ABLE TO PUT ON THE SPARE EVEN WITH AAA HELP AND HAD TO RENT A CAR TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION ON TIME. MANY PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A REMOTE LOCATION IT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE AND PARK IN A PARKING LOT. I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES BUT CAN PROVIDE IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

11092242

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER (LAKE KEOWEE FORD, 859 BYPASS 123, SENECA, SC 29678) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE DEFECT WITH THE LUG NUTS. DUE TO THE LUG NUTS PASSING THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY OF 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES, THEY CONSIDERED IT TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO ROTATE THE TIRES DUE TO THE LUG NUTS. THE HEAD OF THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO BUY FORD'S LUG NUTS AND SUGGESTED A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,797.

NHTSA ID

11073297

Incident

Feb 15, 2018

Mileage

63,797 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT BERKLIN FORD IN BEDFORD, VA. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE SWOLLEN DUE TO EXPOSURE TO WATER AND THE LUG NUT WRENCH WAS TOO SMALL TO INSERT OVER THE LUG NUTS. THE NUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11047860

Incident

Nov 13, 2017

Mileage

50,000 mi

SWOLLEN AND CRACKED LUG NUTS. I HAVE HAD TO SPEND $176.00 REPLACING LUG NUTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 19 OF THE 24 LUG BOLTS ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO SWELLING/CRACKING. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 11, 2017 DURING MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THEY STATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. HOWEVER, THEY CHARGED ME FOR NEW LUG NUTS. WHEN THE LUG NUTS SWELL, THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED, THUS MAKING THE TIRE TOOL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE USELESS. THIS MAKES A VEHICLE WITH A FLAT TIRE UNMOVABLE WITHOUT BEING TOWED. THIS ALSO STRANDS MOTORISTS ON THE HIGHWAYS. DANGEROUS! I ALSO CONTACTED FORD NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THEY RESPONDED WITH A NON CARING ATTITUDE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE CAUSED BY A FAULTY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AS WELL AS YOUR AGENCY, IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DOLLARS CONSUMERS ARE HAVING TO SPEND DUE TO FORDS NEGLIGENCE?

NHTSA ID

11033011

Incident

Oct 11, 2017

Mileage

28,000 mi