Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had a rear end at fault collision that totaled my 2003 Ford Escape on Dec.19, 2021....not one air bag deflated (yes I was at fault) because I was the one whom ran into the back of a jeep.....I'm having neck pain and spasms from whiplash, just curious whu not 1 airbG in the whole car deflated?
I was doordashing as it's my job and all of sudden my car starts not idling won't stay off od off switch that switch stayed consistently flickered either the engine or transmission is slipping or misfiring
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice, crossed over two lanes, and crashed into a cement wall head on the air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, shoulder, neck, and lower back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police towing lot. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle felt as if it were accelerating independently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 67 MPH, the cruise control failed to disengage. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment and the vehicle rolled over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor scrapes and bruises and the two passengers in the rear of the vehicle sustained bumps, bruises and scrapes that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling , vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Beginning in April 2007, my 2003 Ford Escape xlt (current mileage 118754) experienced an intermittent problem with the air bag warning light. If the power driver's seat had been moved, then the light would appear and flash on the instrument panel for a period of time, then disappear without any action taken. This series of event happened 2-3 times between April - June, 2007. The last time the problem surfaced was June 25, 2007. The light was flashing when I started my vehicle on June 26, 2007. Approximately 5 minutes after starting my vehicle on that date, I was stopped at an intersection when a truck approaching from my left lost its trailer. The trailer crashed into the front driver's side of my vehicle at approximately 60 miles per hour. None of the air bags within my vehicle deployed. My vehicle sustained severe damage to the front end. …
My wife, donna p. Wright, was involved in an accident on 12/10/2004 at approx. 7:15 am on marriottsville road # 2 in eldersburg, md. The accident involved our 2003 Ford Escape and Ford f350 truck pulling a trailer with a bobcat heavy equipment. It was raining heavily at the time. The Ford truck was approaching a curve when its trailer jacknifed and hit my wife's Ford Escape head on. According to the body shop owner who towed our car, the frame was bent in two feet. There was extensive damage to the engine, bumper, hood, radiator and bumper. The car was totaled. However, the airbags did not deeply. Fortunately, my wife escaped with minor injuries (cuts and bruises). I immediately notified Ford motor company consumer relations. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that the k frame was corroded and the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. In addition, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the k frame needed to be replaced, the power control module needed to be repaired, and the air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,470.
Tl * the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, she heard a loud popping sound and lost control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle went across four lanes, rolled over twice, landed into incoming traffic and none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained three broken vertebrae, and lacerations to her head. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 10 to 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and the air bag indicator flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to beach Ford [phone], located at 2717 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23452) and the contact was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection due to the air bag indicator. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 193,481.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated, which was a safety concern. The dealer (gus johnson Ford, 8300 e sprague ave, spokane valley, wa 99212, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Airbag complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Escape, 11% of the model year's 558 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Escape airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Ford Escape, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.