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 1995 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer was driving about 40 MPH and a deer jumped in front of the vehicle causing an accident. Upon impact, airbags failed to deploy completely. Consumer stated that the bags came out, but did not inflate completely, causing driver to sustain a concussion.
Consumer was driving on the highway and she bent down for a second to pick up something from the floorboard. When she straightened up, vehicle had veered over into the side of the road, and turned away from hitting a mailbox. Then, hit an enbankment and flipped over, twice, landing on the top side. Consumer had to force the door open. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy, and the seat belt broke. Consumer sustained head injuries.
Van in front made a "u" turn. Causing Escort to slam on brakes and be rearended after driving 45mph. Upon impact, front seats collapsed backwards. Passenger's seatback hit child's seat, child not in seat, also, caused vehicle to rearend another vehicle due to notbeing able to see. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver suffered back & leg injuries. Emergency room treatment.
Consumer was rearended by another vehicle that was going at approximatley 55 MPH ,the force caused the vehcile to move foward, and hit vehicle in front with great force , driver's airbag did not deploy, and fuel shut off valve was also inoperative. Engine was still running when it was suppose to shut itself in case of any rearend collision.
Vehicle was involved in an accident at approx 50-55 MPH impact on the driver side. Vehicle flipped over on its roof. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle should have been hit from the rear or front in order for air bags to deploy.
While driving vehicle about 15 to 20 MPH stopped on a red light when another vehicle rear ended the consumer's vehicle, forcing him to rear end the vehicle in front of him. Air bag deployed on his girl friend's face when the seat belt did not restrain her to the seat.
While driving had a direct frontal impact, and driver's/passenger's airbags malfunctioned, causing airbags to deploy after the intial frontal impact. Driver sustained head injuries. Airbags deployed while hitting the windshield. Please provide further information.
Consumer was involved in a 25-30 MPH rear end collision in which the ABS brakes locked up, causing extended stopping distance, which resulted in an accident. Also, the driver's seat belt did not retract and the driver's/ passenger's air bags did not deploy.
Consumer hit a deer driving at 55 MPH. The airbag on the passenger side experienced deployment immediately, but the driver's side airbag experienced a delay which resulted in injury to driver. Vehicle was totalled. Please provide any further information.
Consumer was traveling around our about 4 MPH to 11 MPH when was involved in a head-on collision, hitting a tree in which both driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed, upon deployment of the driver side air bag, the impact killed the driver.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new air bag module.
Air bags › Frontal
Two bolts that attach the passenger side air bag supplemental restraint system module to the instrument panel are missing. In the event of a frontal impact, the module can come out of the instrument panel.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install and torque to specification the mounting bolts for the passenger side air bag.
Airbag complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Ford Escort, 12% of the model year's 576 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (56 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Escort airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 94V-218 (frontal, Nov 10, 1994); NHTSA recall 94V-197 (frontal, Oct 11, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Escort airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 150,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 52 crashes, 1 fire and 43 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.