2018 Ford Ecosport

After reviewing the latest service and inspection report was informed that the lug nuts are swollen and need to be replaced at a cost of $195.00 USD. After inspecting the vehicle lug nuts myself the marks on the outside of the nut show the pattern from the use of a twelve point socket when a six point socket should have been used. I replaced 14 of the 16 lug nuts on this vehicle but was unable to get 2 of them off; one on the left rear and the other on the right rear wheel. This style of lug nut; ie. 2-piece is a safety hazard as the two remaining wheels cannot be easily changed by the owner in the event of a flat or other issue. The information from the dealership was not totally correct as I was told they other portion was alumninum when my testing shows it to be steel. They said that they swell due to corrorsion of which there was none. How do I trust they are giving their customers the correct information when I hear this. Subjectively, I believe the original damage was caused by the service staff using a twelve point socket instead of the correct 19mm six point socket. You can see the marks left on the lug nuts in the include image.

I took my 2018 Ford Ecosport in for routine inspection, and the shop told me they had trouble getting my lug nuts off to rotate the tires. They suggested I get all the lug nuts replaced. My model has the rare option of the full size spare tire mounted on the back, with an included tire changing kit. The problem is the lug nuts that Ford has been using include caps that do not seal out debris and moisture, so the caps can swell, distort shape and size, and in turn the lug wrench I have will not be able to fit over the caps to remove the lug nuts. The whole reason I bought the vehicle with the full size spare was so that I would not be stranded anywhere. This flaw totally defeats that purpose. I took the vehicle to the dealer who refused to change out the lug nuts saying it was not a warranty issue, that exposure to moisture and debris is from normal use of the vehicle. This is a known issue with accumulating consumer complaints against Ford’s use of these lug nuts.

Purchased 4 new tires for my car only to be told that the lug nuts were all swollen and had to be replaced. from what I have read this is an ongoing problem with Ford and I don't feel it should be MY responsibility to pay for their mistakes. It also could have been a major problem had they broke loose while I was driving. This is unacceptable!

BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA EP422 PLUS 205/50R17 SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ISSUES (2 OCCURRENCES) ON 3/1/2019 (17,428 MILEAGE), HIT POT HOLE AND FRONT PASSENGER TIRE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOSING PRESSURE UNTIL FLAT. NO SPARE AND TIRE SEALANT (OEM) DID NOT SEAL SIDEWALL HOLE. HAD ECOSPORT TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (MARSHALL FORD, O'FALLON, MO) AND TIRE WAS REPLACED BY ANOTHER BRAND (MICHELIN NO BRIDGESTONE TIRE AVAILABLE) AT MY COST. BAD ECOPIA TIRE LEFT AT DEALERSHIP. INCIDENTALLY, TIRES WERE ROTATED ON 3/6/2019 AND REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS MOVED TO THE BACK AXLE. ON 4/2/2019 (21,108 MILEAGE), HIT CURB (NOT VERY HARD) WHILE TURNING IN A PARKING LOT (LOW SPEED) AND FRONT PASSENGER TIRE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOSING PRESSURE (ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE ECOPIA) FROM SIDEWALL HOLE. JACKED UP CAR, TOOK WHEEL & TIRE TO AN NTB, AND HAD THE TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND MY COST. THIS TIME, I RETAINED THE BAD ECOPIA TIRE WITH A HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL.