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 2017 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while taking the vehicle in for a routine tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen, and the tires could not be rotated. The contact's wife purchased a tool to remove the lug nuts and purchased replacement lug nuts. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who was unable to use the tool to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway (12227 Gulf Fwy, Houston, TX 77034), who was also unable to use the equipment to remove the lug nuts to replace them lug nuts with ones purchased by the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 74,800. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while receiving regular maintenance, the mechanic informed the contact that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after researching the issue, the contact became aware that the lug nut chrome caps would swell after a while, making the lug nuts difficult to remove with the standard equipment. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic, who was unable to remove the lug nuts due to the swelling. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side rear tire became flat. While attempting to remove the wheels to install the spare tire, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the manufacturer's provided lug nut wrench could not fit over the lug nuts. The contact was unable to remove the wheel. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who indicated that all the lug nuts for each wheel had experienced the same failure and would need to be replaced. The lug nuts were replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the driver's side run-flat tire loss air. As the contact pulled over and attempted to change the tire, he discovered that the lug nuts were deformed and could not be removed with the lug wrench. The contact's wife called the manufacturer however, the manufacturer offered no assistance. Two fellow motorists were able to assist the contact and the tire was replaced. The contact had the lug nuts replaced. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer however, there was no response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the original lug nuts installed on all four wheels were made of steel and covered in chrome. Over time, the lug nuts had become swollen which made it difficult to remove the lug nuts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of the failure. The mechanic declined to remove the lug nuts out of concern that the lug nuts would not be able to be reinstalled once removed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer for tire service however, the dealer was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact stated that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact stated that the parts to do the repair was not available. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,047. The contact expressed concerns over the possibility of getting a flat tire and how he would change it. The current defective lug nuts are chrome and need to be replaced with steel ones.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for a tire rotation, the dealer informed the contact that the lug nuts were defective and needed to be replaced to perform the tire rotation. The lug nuts were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 41,596.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his daughter was attempting to remove the wheel from the vehicle, it was discovered that the lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer's lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon inspection at a local dealer, it was noticed that the 16 lug nuts for all four tires were swollen and the rear shocks needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty with the same parts used prior to the failure. The contact was concerned that the repair was intern and the failure would be recurring. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact indicated that while his son was attempting to remove the wheel from vehicle it was discovered that the wheel lug nuts had swollen and could not be removed using the manufacturer lug nut wrench that was provided with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and all the lug nuts had to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2017 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 82 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2017 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 2,700 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2017 Ford Escape, though it has 4 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 2017 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.