I haven't had this issue before - I went to pull my wheels to check brakes, etc. and when I tried to take off my factory lug nuts, my 21mm sockets are all too tight and don't fit anything but the security lug nut. I used a 22mm socket to do the job. I also checked the one in the trunk for changing to the spare and it doesn't fit any of them either. I went back to Costco and the Tire manager said that these type of 2 piece lug nuts swell, especially in wet conditions. He said they typically see it with Ford and Jeep vehicles. Has anyone else heard of this? He also suggested buying a 21.5mm socket - that's what they use when they encounter this. I think I'm going to order some new lug nuts and a 21.5mm socket.

Thanks,
Kerry

Hmm interesting. I've never encountered this either.

This link might be related, and offers a potential solution that doesn't take you to the poor house.
2011-m37x-lug-nuts-t625336.html

Otherwise, the pictures in AZHitman's link are exactly what my Jag ones looked like under the chrome cap. Except mine didn't swell, they just stripped and the chrome outer would just keep spinning without engaging the inner - like the inner nut became too small.

Welp! Time to switch out these OEM lug nuts before I'm stranded.

Such a ghetto solution. Infiniti should be ashamed for doing this crap.

Thanks for all of the replies! In reading the links it appears that this is a common problem with cars using exposed chromed lug nuts, especially in areas with lots of rain. Living in the Seattle area - we get lots of rain. Apparently the root cause appears to be power tools used to tighten and loosen the lug nuts cause micro-cracks in the chrome, water gets in the cracks and the chrome expands and separates itself from the underlying steel nut. If not replaced, you can have big problems getting the lug nuts off as it becomes very difficult to get a good grip on the lug nut. I've bought some new ones on Amazon and will try those to see if they are better than the OEM ones.

Glad to see I am not alone in experiencing this issue. When I took my car to a local shop for service about a month ago, they told me they could not perform a tire rotation because of the swollen parts. They told me I would need to buy all new lug nuts to replace the OEM ones before they could do the job. I am going in Wednesday for new tires and bringing the new set of 20 new lug nuts I just ordered with me. Pretty weird issue I didn't think I would have to deal with.

Not too big of a deal, I guess.

They could have just used plated normal lugs like everyone else... putting a decorative shell over an ugly lug is just stupid.

I didn't know this was a thing. I saw some bubbling on my 370z lugs, I should probably change those out.

I had heard of such a case only once, but I did not know what could really happen. The very idea that metal can swell sounds a bit illogical. However, I think it will be enough just to replace the nuts. I advise you to look at the models in this store *REDACTED*.
If bloating is repeated, I think you should contact a good car mechanic who will recommend eliminating the causes of bloating. In this situation, we need the view of a professional who knows how to identify the problem.
By the way, I have the number of a good car mechanic.

Same thing happened to my 2019 Pathfinder. Nissan dealer uses a special 22.5 mm socket to get the lug nuts off when rotating the tires, without mentioning to us that we can't change a tire using the lug wrench provided with the vehicle. It is also likely roadside assistance won't have the speciality socket either. The new motto for Nissan appears to be appearance for functionality and keep the customer in the dark rather than admit a bad design.