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 2005 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was traveling at 60 MPH on a highway interchange. I hydroplaned, lost control of my vehicle, and hit a guard rail with the front driver's side head on. My vehicle bounced off the guard rail, traveled backwards, and hit the guardrail on the other side of the road on the driver's side rear. The car spun 90 degrees and came to a rest with the passenger side against the guard rail, opposing highway traffic flow. The airbags did not deploy, despite a 60-MPH collision. The suspension, wheel, and shock fell off in the collision.
I was driving on the freeway in the fast lane at 60mph and a car cut me short and brake so I applied my brake my wheel had yanked to the left and I tried to gain control of the wheel by pulling it to the right but it yanked again to the left causing me to hit into the median due to the impact my car turned over and dragged across the other 3 lanes and titled back over. Although my car is totaled I sustained minor injury to my neck and left side. Also my airbags did not deploy.
The light for the airbags is yellow and has been for about 2 years. I ask the mechanic what that meant. He told me the airbags wouldn't deploy in an accident. I also found out the module that controls that also controls the auto lock on the doors when you take off. I feel this is a safety issue but I'm not able to afford the repair so I contacted Ford motor company but they told me there is no recall for that, needless to say, I just hope I don't ever need them. The module just gave out and the light came on and has been on any time the car is turned on. I no longer have the repair bill kraphol Ford gave me. On 01/30/2016 I sent in a complaint but as far as I know, nothing has been done about it, so this is a repeat.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 30 MPH and turning the vehicle, the throttle became stuck and the contact rear ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and struck the contact on the left side of the face. The contact sustained additional injuries to the neck and back that required medical attention. Village Ford (23535 michigan avenue, dearborn, michigan 48124, [phone]) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
I was involved in a minor car accident when my airbag deployed and caused 2nd degree burns to both of my top forearms, I also fractured my right wrist that separated the cartilage in my wrist and required surgery. I am a healthy, active 42 year old woman never been in an accident. I believe the airbag did not deploy correctly and May even need to be recalled to make sure it was installed efficiently. The burns sustained to my arms are not consistent with typical burns from airbags that I have researched. The bag itself did not come out straight, nor even hit my chest, it came out of the top of the steering wheel. I want to prevent this from happening to others.
My wife was driving our 2005 Ford Escape. She failed to yield and hit a 2006 Dodge charger, that was going close to 45 MPH, in the passenger's side smashing in both of his doors. The front of her car is damaged enough to break off the engine mount, front bumper is gone, windshield wiper fluid reservoir was actually on the pavement. All of this and the airbags were not deployed. The shop that the car is being repaired at says that the airbags should have been deployed in this type of accident. Had this been at a slightly higher speed we would be looking at a death, not an injury.
I was in accident where I hit another vehicle in which when tried to break they did not work. No skid marks where there and should have been . Totaled my truck Ford SUV xlt (sport) and the driver of other car . Passenger airbag never went off. I had concussion and burns 2nd degree on both arms . Still have scars. Other vehicle at light stopped and when I tried to stop it was like gas pedal was stuck and break did not work so pulled up emergency break. I never got any notice on recalls on my 2005 until now. Which could have killed someone. The police report stated no skid marks.
On 10/18/12 I was involved in a motor vehicle accident with my 2005 Ford Escape. My vehicle slammed into an embankment, crushing the drivers side of the vehicle, and there was a large crack near the luggage rack extending the length of the vehicle on the drivers side at some points I could visually see into the crack and into the vehicle interior. Drivers side of vehicle hit head on into tree at 55mph, but airbags did not deploy. Both headlights popped out, hood crinkled, and there was extensive front end damage. Rear window on drivers side broken. Vehicle was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that was driving approximately 30 MPH in icy weather and lost control of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll over four times and crash into an embankment. The air bags did not deploy. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The contact sustained bruising and head injuries, and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
On the 04/03/06 I was driving my Ford Escape xlt 2005 on road #10 between intersections # 503 in the city of ponce puerto rico. Around, 10:45 pm I lost control of the vehicle crashing directly to a fence and jumping it. Then the Ford Escape rollover and the air bags never were activated. I have injuries on my neck and left arm. I am concern because a bought for the safety and the air bags never function.
Airbag complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,394 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Escape airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Ford Escape, though it has 4 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 2005 Ford Escape airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries and 1 death 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.