NHTSA complaint: 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 295 MILEMARK 54 WHEN ALL 5 LUGS BROKE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE OF THE 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE TIRE FELL OFF AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I COMPENSATED AND STEERED LEFT TO THE CENTER GRASS MEDIAN, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER. UPON INSPECTION,1 OF THE LUGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD FAILED. THE MECHANICS AID IT WAS EVIDENT IT WAS NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING , BUT A FLAW IN THE LUG ITSELF. SINCE I AM 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY FORD WILL DO NOTHING. HAD I BEEN IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION I AM SURE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF PEOPLE HAVEN'T ALREADY, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I TOOK ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED FOR INSPECTION. *AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation