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 1997 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. The contact smelled a strong burning odor while driving 60 MPH. The dealer stated that the part would be ordered and replaced under NHTSA campaign id number 02V323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The contact smelled the odor again the following day and the vehicle shut down. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealer. Chrysler notified Ford and informed them that the air bag monitor burned and caused the vehicle to shut off. Ford stated that the failure was not related to the air bag monitor. Ford also advised Chrysler to have the vehicle towed to them, but any additional damage would not be repaired. The manufacturer filed a report and stated that it would be sent to the legal department and a response would be received in writing. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 146,808.
I am the service manager at c.h.urness motor co in the dalles,or, I purchased a 1997 Ford Escort for my daughter on 06/02/2007,then on 06/04/2007,the car had a fire under the dash,upon inspection we found an open recall "02s44"for this exact failure,I contacted the local Ford dealer(ray schultens Ford and was told they could not help me because the airbag module was no longer available!. I then contacted Ford motor co. Customer relations(case # 1433871927).on 07/23/07 I received a letter stating "Ford motor co. Was unable to offer any assistance at this time"the customer service rep told me over the phone that I should make the dealer I bought the car at "buy it back,after all you work for them"this car has an unrepaired recall and is unable to be repaired due to no parts available,what is my next step in this process?
Last Thursday my husbands 1997 Ford Escort caught fire, and we think it was because of a faulty air bag sensor. It had been previously recalled, and we took it to the local Ford dealer and had the problem corrected. But everything that happened fell in exactly with what the recall letter said would happen if we didn't get it fixed. We would like this matter further investigated because we feel that the Ford dealership only installed another faulty air bag sensor into our car instead of fixing it like they were supposed to. Neither my husband or I were injuried when the car caught fire, but that was only by the grace of god. If we can prevent this from happening to someone else then we should.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag light illuminated and smoke emitted from under the dashboard. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's home. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the dashboard was melting. The fire department appeared on the scene to disconnect the battery. The contact noticed there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 02V323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) and planned on contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.
While driving at 60 MPH both frontal air bags deployed inadvertently. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer. While talking to a manufacturer's representative via phone vehicle caught on fire less then 15 minutes while parked. The fire appeared to have started under the hood on the passenger's side. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.
Tl-the contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. As a passenger in the vehicle been driven 5 MPH in a driveway both frontal air bags deployed. She stated the driver was knocked unconscionus and the other passenger had a injury to the face. The vehicle crashed into a tree and a branch hit the windshield. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or mechanic. The failure and current mileage was 81,152. Vwb
Safety horn sticks and remains in on position creating a driving safety risk. Dealer explains that the horn switch is associated with the air bag. Based on all internet complaints and air bag problems, might be time to further investigate Ford's commitment to safety and airbag performance. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escort/1997/accessories-interior/communications-horn_assembly.shtml
The vehicle accelerated and lurched forward while pulling into a parking space, causing the vehicle to hit a brick wall. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, and was transported to the local hospital. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
Prior to having recall# 02V323000 performed for the air bag monitor, while driving on the interstate flames started coming from underneath the dashboard. The fire burned the entire dashboard and it's components.
My client, akruaria wright was driving her 1997 Ford Escort lx sedan south on ga hwy 300, when both the driver and passenger airbags spontaneously deployed. As noted in the police report, there was no contact or impact with any object or vehicle. The road that she was on is a major road; it is paved and in excellent condition. Upon deploying, the airbags forced the dash up and busted the windshield. The airbags, as they deployed, made contact with ms. Wright's face, arms, hands, and chest. On her face, arms , and hands she suffered minor burns from the contact. She also has suffered cervical and thoracic strain from the contact. At this time, the car is still waiting to be repaired. I have contacted the Ford motor company in dearborn, mi, but as of now I have not had a response.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
Remedy: Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003.
NHTSA investigations
Integrated air bag monitor water
Water intrusion into airbag monitor
By letter of December 6, 2002, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall on all 1997 Ford escort and Mercury tracer vehicles.Ford found that electrical shorting of the integrated air bag monitor (iabm)due to liquid intrusion of water or engine coolant can occur in the subject vehicles.Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers will install a protective shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to it's…
Airbag complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 152 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Ford Escort, 28% of the model year's 543 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (63 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Escort airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-323 (sensor/control module-inactive, Dec 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Escort airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 45 crashes, 23 fires and 45 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.