Ford lug nuts falling apart and battery

[Wardawg]

Not sure if this has happened to anyone else, but apparently Ford used cheap, two piece lug nuts and I've had the caps fall off about 6 of them already. And has anyone else had problems with their battery? My car is a 2010 with 45k miles and my battery died completely the other day and I had to replace it. Was a little ticked that their was no warranty at all on the battery, as I was over the 3/36, and had to shell out $100 for a new one.

 

[Phoenix]

They recalled my lug nuts on my 2010 Fusion , must be the same ones.


I also found this winter that the fusion was really slow to start - from what ive heard , the Ford batteries are not what they used to be.

 

[shaker281]

They have been using two piece lug nuts for a very long time. They are stainless outside and hold up good to weather. 1-piece chrome lugs tend to flake and rust.
But, Ford must have switched to a cheaper style if they are actually coming apart.

Battery failures are more prevalent in hot climates and cramped, hot engine compartments. Both my 2006 Explorer (6 years in October) and my 2008 GT500 (4 years this May) are still running their original batteries. Three years seems a bit short though.

 

[SHOrod]

They have been using two piece lug nuts for a very long time. They are stainless outside and hold up good to weather.

But, Ford must have switched to a cheaper style if they are actually coming apart.

Agreed. Maybe they switched to the same supplier Chrysler used for so many years in the '80's and '90's, I remember a whole lot of those caps coming off the lugs and staying in the socket.

-Rod

 

[kevinspann]

Earlier Focus also had the same issues with the lug nuts. Cheap, but pretty outer shell that lasts until the first couple times the wheels come on and off.

 

[Wardawg]

I have had alot of tire problems and between that and the rotations they have come off quite a bit.
I do live in the desert so have very hot temps in the summers but to only have a battery that last two years? The battery in my 2003 Mustang that I bought brand new lasted 8 years out here. Any aftermarket battery you buy has a much longer warranty and just ticked me off. It seems like all the little things are really starting to add up.

 

[Phoenix]

I have had alot of tire problems and between that and the rotations they have come off quite a bit.
I do live in the desert so have very hot temps in the summers but to only have a battery that last two years? The battery in my 2003 Mustang that I bought brand new lasted 8 years out here. Any aftermarket battery you buy has a much longer warranty and just ticked me off. It seems like all the little things are really starting to add up.

8 years is what a good batt will last over here in canada too. Cold or hot , it aint good.

 

[BamSHO]

What is the CCA of the factory installed batteries. With all the electronics on cars nowadays, they seem to put small batteries in them. Plus 3 years is very short for a battery. Prob just a bad one. I try to get the biggest (CCA) battery I can for all 4 my cars here.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[RonPorter]

Battery issues are common across the board for any mfr, especially now with the battery being critical for the electronics.

Not like the "old days" when you could run a car with no battery off the alternator. Today, the battery is the capacitor for the system.

If you get 2 years on a battery, consider yourself lucky. IMO, they are a cheap replacement.

EDIT: My 2300th post. Like anybody cares!!

 

[shaker281]

I have had alot of tire problems and between that and the rotations they have come off quite a bit.
I do live in the desert so have very hot temps in the summers but to only have a battery that last two years? The battery in my 2003 Mustang that I bought brand new lasted 8 years out here. Any aftermarket battery you buy has a much longer warranty and just ticked me off. It seems like all the little things are really starting to add up.

One thing that will **** the lug nuts is if the shop doing the work over tightens them. Lot of tire work equals more opportunity for over torquing. i ALWAYS check mine with a torque wrench if it has been in a shop.Trying to get them off on the side of the road with a crappy wrench when they are on too tight sucks! Also, I use a deep thin wall socket to turn mine.

Probably just a bad battery, but cramped engine compartments with high temps will accelerate their demise.

 

[Paranoid]

Agreed. Maybe they switched to the same supplier Chrysler used for so many years in the '80's and '90's, I remember a whole lot of those caps coming off the lugs and staying in the socket.

-Rod

I had a new 89 Suburban with the same lugs.

 

[callmedavie02]

Don't worry, you're not alone. I had my lug nut caps recalled to and don't even get me started on that dern battery! Really, Ford has fallen from grace quite a long range in terms of their items quality. Very disappointed.

 

[dbonds]

Not sure if this has happened to anyone else, but apparently Ford used cheap, two piece lug nuts and I've had the caps fall off about 6 of them already. And has anyone else had problems with their battery? My car is a 2010 with 45k miles and my battery died completely the other day and I had to replace it. Was a little ticked that their was no warranty at all on the battery, as I was over the 3/36, and had to shell out $100 for a new one.

I have a 2010 with 58k miles - driven in Houston with it's hot summers. The OEM battery just died last week. One day of slow starting was only symptom, next day it was dead enough to not start at all. Replaced with aftermarket (Interstate).

On the plus side, my lug nuts are in fine shape (as far as I know)!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

A few years ago, I got my very low mile Corvette (4 years old at the time) out of storage. Worked like a charm. Drove it around Clear Lake for a couple days and headed 80 mi. to my Son's. Went inside for 10 min... came out and it wouldn't start. Damned if it wasn't the battery... When they decide to quit... they quit... NOW!