Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
My Ford Escape was fitted with two Cooper tires (235/55 R 17) that had to be replaced with less than 20k miles on them. After using the tires in normal city/highway situations, both tires started to bulge causing vibration when driving the vehicle. This was due to the belts breaking within the tire. While this specific tire is not currently under recall, I believe it should be. There is no reason these tires should've worn out so quickly and it sounds like the exact same issue many of their other tires currently under recall have. They are well under their warranty of 80k miles, but I will not put another Cooper tire on my car. I've only included the TIN from one tire, because I do not have the TIN for the first one that bulged. It has already been removed and disposed of. This happened to both of my Coopers in each rear position of my car.
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.
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.
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.
All four of my 235/55R17 103V XL tires are dry rotting. They are separating and creating a crack all along the tire shoulder. I bought these tires brand new in January 2020, they are not even 3 years old yet. The tires can blow due to the dry rotting causing me to crash, getting them replaced ASAP. No warning to them getting worse, until I did a tire check early this month.
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.
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
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.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2015 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2015 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 1,125 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2015 Ford Escape, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.