Component

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

2,072 NHTSA complaints about wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs issues across 51 makes and 359 models.

The wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,072 filings from 51 manufacturers and 359 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 132 crashes, 4 fires, 71 injuries, and 9 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 210 filings, followed by FORD WINDSTAR and FORD FUSION. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

2,072
Complaints
359
Models Affected
132
Crashes
4
Fires
9
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 210
2 FORD WINDSTAR 98
3 FORD FUSION 93
4 FORD EXPEDITION 91
5 ISUZU RODEO 90
6 FORD FOCUS 89
7 FORD ESCAPE 73
8 FORD EXPLORER 67
9 DODGE RAM 28
10 FORD EDGE 27
11 DODGE RAM 1500 25
12 DODGE DAKOTA 24
13 FORD TAURUS 23
14 CHEVROLET BLAZER 21
15 ISUZU TROOPER 20
16 DODGE DURANGO 19
17 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR 18
18 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 18
19 FORD F-550 SD 17
20 CHEVROLET S10 17
21 TOYOTA TACOMA 15
22 FORD RANGER 15
23 TOYOTA SIENNA 14
24 CHEVROLET LUMINA 14
25 JEEP CHEROKEE 13
26 FORD ECONOLINE 13
27 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 12
28 FORD MUSTANG 12
29 FORD THUNDERBIRD 11
30 FORD F-250 11

Recent Complaints

2016 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that t

2017 FORD ESCAPE

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 coul

2017 RAM 3500

The contact owns a 2017 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH through a Construction Zone, the front passenger’s side tire independently detached. No warning light was illuminated.

2011 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Sensor Fault" was displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in ei

2016 FORD EDGE

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a front wheel alignment was performed, and th

2019 FORD EDGE

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while changing the lug nuts on the wheels, the contact became aware that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and

2020 ACURA TLX

The contact owns a 2020 Acura TLX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and an unknown recall for the tires, and another for the trim aroun

2017 FORD ESCAPE

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 vehicl

2022 FORD F-150

To Whom It May Concern: RE: 2022 Ford F-150 – VIN: [XXX] Safety Recall Notice: 25S75 / NHTSA Recall 25V455 I am writing to formally express my deep concern and disappointment regarding ongoing and

2010 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the wheel studs on the front passenger’s wheel detached from the wheel. The dealer was not contacted. The v

2013 TOYOTA CAMRY Crash

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the passenger side front tire detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warni

2011 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front driver's side wheel lug nuts fractured, causing the wheel to detach and the vehicle to shudder. The contact dece

2019 FORD RANGER

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a tire rotation, the contact was informed that the tires were unable to be rebalanced due to swolle

2025 NISSAN KICKS

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving 49 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened while driving, cau

2004 DODGE STRATUS

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Stratus. The contact stated while reversing, the passenger's side front wheel detached. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was no

2017 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to change the tires on the vehicle and was unable to remove the lug nuts. The contact

2016 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to rotate the tires, the service mechanic discovered that the lug nuts had swollen, and the wheel could not be immediately

2018 FORD EXPEDITION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. While contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the intended d

2020 RAM 3500

The contact owns a 2020 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front wheels became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to one side. The v

2012 FORD FUSION

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 65 MPH, he had to pull over to the side of the road due to a flat tire. The contact's son had a difficult time

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs issues?
The NHTSA has received 2,072 complaints about wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs problems across 359 vehicle models from 51 manufacturers.
How dangerous are wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs defects?
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS issues have been linked to 132 crashes, 4 fires, 71 injuries, and 9 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs issues is the FORD F-150 with 210 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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