Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 | 27 | 2% | 41,000 miles |
| 2019 | 21 | 4% | 34,000 miles |
| 2018 | 24 | 1% | 41,000 miles |
| 2017 | 82 | 3% | 42,000 miles |
| 2016 | 34 | 3% | 44,000 miles |
| 2015 | 30 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 55 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2013 | 39 | 1% | 64,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 0% | 123,000 miles |
| 2011 | 13 | 1% | 136,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 0% | 66,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2008 | 38 | 2% | 42,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% | 53,000 miles |
| 2006 | 19 | 4% | 98,000 miles |
| 2005 | 105 | 8% | 120,000 miles |
| 2004 | 37 | 7% | 125,000 miles |
| 2003 | 29 | 5% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2001 | 44 | 4% | 26,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti ProContact, Tire Size: 225/65/R17. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle experienced a flat tire. While inspecting the tire, he noticed damage to the sidewall. There was a small crack located on the sidewall. The tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the tread was worn on all four tires, and the tires needed to be replaced. The tires were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 5,600.
225/75r 17 new car, 3000 miles on it driving on the highway and I hear the rapid thumping. Low tire pressure light came on. I was near an exit and luckily pulled off to safety. Because there is a continental tire recall on 3 specific tires I wanted to bring this to your attention as far as I am concerned this should not have happened with my new tires. To my knowledge there was nothing in the road that I would have run over to cause this . My safety could have been jeapordized and or the safety of others.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V467000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to start. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was advised that the recall remedy was available for vehicles experiencing a recall-related failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the message "Low Tire Pressure Fault" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the TPMS sensor needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V635000(Electrical System, Tires); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the same information. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line Crugen HP71, Tire Size: P235/45/R19, DOT Number: 1H2TEYA8E. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to inflate the tires; however, the tires were not able to hold air. The contact stated there was tread separating on all four tires. The contact stated that all four tires installed had been installed in August 2023. The vehicle was taken to a tire dealer who informed the contact that the tires were in good condition and recommended a wheel alignment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 125,000. The tire failure mileage was 9,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after receiving a maintenance check-up by her mechanic, she was informed that only 50% of her tread remained on all four tires. A few months later, the contact noticed that all four tires were shredding and that small holes had developed around each tread. The contact then took the vehicle back to her mechanic where they contacted the tire manufacturer. The tire manufacturer informed her that her vehicle was not under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V155000 (TIRHotES). The dealer nor the vehicle manufacturer have yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 21,034.
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.
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. …
Related recalls (2)
Tires
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Wheels › Hubcap/cover
Vehicle description: some 4x2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system May have inadvertently been built with 4x4 rear hubs instead of 4x2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4x2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hubs and, if necessary, replace them. Owner notification began September 25, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
NHTSA investigations
Tire valve cracking
On October 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (105), 2017 (82), 2014 (55), 2001 (44) and 2013 (39) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape wheel & tire problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 21V-155 (tires, Mar 10, 2021); 00V260001 (hubcap/cover, Sep 12, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (74 mentions), followed by the tread/belt (31).
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.