Ford Escape Wheels Problems
Owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA about wheels problems on the Ford Escape across 23 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (98). The words owners use most often: “lug nuts” (35% of reports).
- 493wheels complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $230typical repair cost reported by owners
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lug nuts: mentioned in 174 of 493 complaints (35%)
- Wheel well: mentioned in 91 of 493 complaints (18%)
- Flat tire: mentioned in 51 of 493 complaints (10%)
- Completely rusted: mentioned in 30 of 493 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical wheels repair on the Ford Escape at $230, and half of them between $180 and $290.
Based on 26 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2017–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do wheels problems happen?
Based on 307 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 493 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Ford Escape wheels complaints by model year
| Model year | Wheels complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Escape | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Escape | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2020 Escape | 20 | 1% | 1,681 |
| 2019 Escape | 10 | 2% | 10,000 |
| 2018 Escape | 22 | 1% | 41,000 |
| 2017 Escape | 76 | 3% | 43,173 |
| 2016 Escape | 32 | 3% | 44,857 |
| 2015 Escape | 25 | 2% | 56,238 |
| 2014 Escape | 46 | 2% | 54,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 33 | 1% | 65,000 |
| 2012 Escape | 2 | 0% | 90,742 |
| 2011 Escape | 10 | 1% | 144,500 |
| 2010 Escape | 7 | 0% | 88,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 11 | 1% | 87,750 |
| 2008 Escape | 14 | 1% | 85,427 |
| 2007 Escape | 6 | 2% | 55,025 |
| 2006 Escape | 15 | 3% | 103,500 |
| 2005 Escape | 98 | 7% | 121,500 |
| 2004 Escape | 34 | 7% | 125,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 12 | 2% | 105,862 |
| 2002 Escape | 10 | 1% | 85,018 |
| 2001 Escape | 7 | 1% | 180,450 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Wheels:hubcap/cover
Model years: 2001
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Was told the lugnuts were swollen when I tried to have tires rotated. The repair shop is mainly and oil repair shop. I took it to the dealership I purchased the car from and was told this is a major issue they deal with everyday and Ford has not issued a recall. I have to replace with my own money…
Transmission issues, jerking, stuttering, jumping, rmp jumping, horse power acting up, pulsating
2018 Ford Escape. I have had the car since 12/2024. Less then 22000 miles in it. In this time I have had 4 alignment done. First one was 2 day after getting car. I pulls to the left. Second was 2 weeks after the first one. Then drove my car with a trailer on it to [XXX]. I made it [XXX] and dropped…
My car has following issues recently. 1. Tire pressure monitoring system failed for all four tires. 2. Electrical door lock systems failed. All these symptoms match the BCM recall for the model and year of my car. But my VIN is not included with the recall. I believe Ford did not include all…
when I was crossing the road to turn around in a U-turn style, the rear end of the car locked up and I slid across several lanes of traffic. This happened only one time but was terrifying! A few times since then, the emergency brake will apply on its own causing the back end to freeze up. it's VERY…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Escapes have wheels problems?
No. NHTSA has 493 owner complaints about wheels for the Ford Escape. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Escape wheels?
Yes: 1 safety recall list wheels. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix wheels problems on the Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $230 (half paid between $180 and $290), from 26 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about wheels problems on the Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “lug nuts”, in 174 of 493 complaints, followed by “wheel well” (91).
Other Ford Escape problems
- Engine problems (7,208)
- Power Train problems (4,655)
- Steering problems (3,945)
- Electrical System problems (2,525)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,331)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,298)
- Structure problems (2,296)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (1,834)
See all Ford Escape problems.