Some 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may exhibit a vibration at highway speeds above 80 Km/h (50 MPH) which may be attributed to short term flat spotting in the tires. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Escape wheels problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Ford Escape have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the wheels at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Escape | 38 |
| 2015 Escape | 23 |
| 2016 Escape | 29 |
| 2017 Escape | 71 |
| 2018 Escape (this page) | 18 |
| 2019 Escape | 6 |
| 2020 Escape | 10 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Lug nuts on 2018 Ford Escapes swell and deform during normal service, sometimes discovered as early as 34,000 miles. Owners can't remove swollen nuts with the factory wrench or standard sockets—what should be a 5-minute tire change becomes a 4-hour job requiring a tow truck or shop visit. The problem stems from moisture getting trapped between layers in the lug nut material, causing expansion. Some owners report replacing 12 to 20 nuts at their own expense—several hundred dollars per occurrence.
A second issue: after multiple lug nut removals over 6 months of routine maintenance, the wheel studs wear and strip out, leaving nuts unable to stay tight. Nuts loosen continuously after installation, creating a safety hazard.
One owner reported a rear rim failure at 70 MPH on the highway without prior damage or debris impact, causing a tire blowout and suspension damage requiring control arms, trailing arm, lateral links, and shock absorber replacement.
Ford dealers acknowledge the lug nut swelling as a known defect but offer no recall or coverage. Replacement nuts from Ford reportedly swell again in heat. No warning light alerts owners to the problem.
Same Ford Escape wheels reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Swollen and deformed lug nuts
Lug nuts swell and deform during normal use, becoming impossible to remove with the factory-supplied wrench or standard sockets. Owners report the swelling occurs without prior warning and is attributed to inferior material composition or design that allows moisture and dirt to accumulate between layers. Multiple owners encountered this problem during routine tire rotations or flat tire repairs.
When: Reported at mileage ranging from 34,250 to 95,000 miles; some discovered during first service after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Lug nuts will not fit factory-supplied wrench; Lug nuts will not fit standard sockets; Visible swelling and distortion of lug nut shape; No warning light or message prior to discovery
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of all affected lug nuts required; costs reported as several hundred dollars for 12-20 replacements. Some owners had to call tow trucks or AAA because they could not remove the wheels themselves. Tire shops confirmed this as a known defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has not issued a recall. Dealers acknowledge the problem exists and recommend replacement but do not cover the cost. Ford refers customers to NHTSA Hotline. Replacement lug nuts from Ford reportedly swell again in heat conditions.
Catastrophic rim failure at highway speed
One owner reported sudden rim failure while driving at 70 MPH on highway, resulting in tire blowout and loss of control. The failure occurred without prior signs, debris impact, or known pothole damage. This caused extensive suspension damage requiring multiple components replacement.
When: Highway speed incident; vehicle was properly maintained with no prior wheel damage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden jolt and near loss of control; Rear passenger-side rim failure; Tire blowout following rim failure; Damage to rear suspension components
Repairs/costs cited: New rim, two new tires, right rear control arm (forward), right rear control arm (adjustable), right rear trailing arm, lower rear lateral link, and rear suspension shock absorber replaced
Thread wear and stripping of wheel studs
Repeated lug nut removal and installation during multiple tire rotations and maintenance procedures over 6 months causes stud threads to wear and become stripped, leaving nuts unable to tighten properly. After multiple removals, studs lose the ability to hold nuts securely, creating an ongoing tightening problem.
When: After 6 months of service with tire rotations repeated 6 times
Symptoms owners cite: Lug nuts will not stay tight after installation; Lug nuts come loose repeatedly; One or more studs become stripped, unable to hold nuts at all; Problem worsens with each removal
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of affected studs and lug nuts required
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had wheels trouble with your 2018 Ford Escape?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2018 Ford Escape?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 18 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 72,001 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/Escape.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.