Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2024 | 6 | 8% | 118,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% | 34,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2020 | 13 | 1% | 13,000 miles |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 0% | 118,000 miles |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% | 48,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 17 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 32 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2013 | 54 | 2% | 31,000 miles |
| 2012 | 25 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2010 | 14 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2009 | 14 | 1% | 23,000 miles |
| 2008 | 31 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 17 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 34 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 45 | 9% | 77,000 miles |
| 2003 | 60 | 11% | 69,000 miles |
| 2002 | 79 | 8% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 63 | 6% | 84,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% | 33,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
We are concerned that the seatbelt and possibly airbag malfunctioned and contributed to my mother in laws death on 11/17/2025. The drivers seatbelt had not been latching properly and would come unlatched at random times prior to the accident. The car was taken to dealership, based on the seatbelt not staying latched and it was repaired on 10/20/2025. She continued to have issues with it after the repair. Less than a month later, she was killed in a low speed collision. The cause of death was ruled blunt force trauma to the chest. The officer on the scene expressed concern that the seatbelt malfunctioned and that it did not hold her securely.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and a message "Belt Monitor Service Required" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N08; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The contact owned a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while slowing down to stop a second vehicle traveling approximately 50 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. During the crash, the contact's vehicle was pushed into the rear of a third vehicle causing severe damage to the vehicle's frontend. The contact indicated that the front driver and passenger side air bags did not deploy and both the front driver and passenger side seatbelts failed to secure the occupants. The driver sustained a head contusion, neck and back, and right calf injuries, and the front passenger sustained a head contusion, thumb, back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Both occupants were transported to the local hospital and received medical treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Airbags and Seatbelts failed in a T-bone accident on the Highway and am unsure if it available for review on the car do to insurance taking possession of car. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It did not restrain or protect me during accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It was confirmed by my insurance. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Insurance and Police Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No nothing was on the dash prior to crash
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained whiplash and neck pain. The contact had not sought medical attention. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the front driver's door, the door failed to open immediately. The contact then pushed the door with excessive force and it opened. The contact related the failure to Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2246. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's grand-son met her at the scene and assisted her with driving the vehicle to a nearby autobody center. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired for air bags and door failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact's husband stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle unexpectedly cut in front of the vehicle, resulting in a collision. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. The contact stated that upon impact, the driver-side air bags failed to deploy; however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the collision occurred. A police report was filed, but the report number was unavailable. The contact's husband did not receive immediate medical attention at the scene. The contact's husband later sought treatment at an emergency room. The contact's husband suffered an chest and knee injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 15 MPH through a yellow light on an off-ramp, another vehicle crossed the intersection at high speeds and crashed into the entire front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact however the other vehicle's air bags did deploy. It was mentioned that the contact's husband was exempt from wearing a seat belt. The contact's husband was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated for pain in his neck, his head impact, and back as well as soreness throughout his entire body. The contact's daughter was taken to the hospital by a fellow motorist since her service dog was not permitted on the ambulance and was treated for bruising to her right arm and hip. The other driver suffered no injuries. A police report was filed. …
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and intersecting into the highway, a service van crashed into the front driver-side tire/bumper. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained bruises on her chest due to the seat belt and her husband had deep tissue injuries from his neck to his waist. The contact and her husband sought medical attention the following Monday from their medical physician. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed towing lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Related recalls (4)
Air bags › Side/window
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021.
Air bags › Side/window
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018.
Air bags › Knee bolster
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016 Ford Escape vehicles. The driver's knee airbag modules installed in these vehicles were produced without the inflator gas generant material, and, as a result, the air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RCM, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S04.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escape years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (79), 2001 (63), 2003 (60), 2013 (54) and 2004 (45) model years. Airbag complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Ford Escape airbag problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 20V-415 (side/window, Jul 17, 2020); 17V-803 (side/window, Dec 18, 2017); 17V-398 (knee bolster, Jun 26, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escape airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (78 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (36).
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.