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 1999 Ford Escort owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20mph, the steering wheel locked, the vehicle crashed and the air bags deployed but did not inflate. The vehicle proceeded to crash into 2 parked cars. Injuries were sustained to the driver and passenger's hands, back and feet. Both occupants were wearing seat belts. The police responded and provided a written report. The insurance company inspected and deemed the vehicle totaled. There was additional property damage to the parked vehicles.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Escort. While driving between 30-35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash on the front passenger side. The frontal seat belt webbings did not lock (NHTSA campaign id number 04e048000) and the front air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered severe strain, sprain, and bruises to her chest and neck. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 104,308. Updated 09/12/07
Dt*: the contact stated while stopped, the vehicle was rear ended. The other vehicle was going 45-55 MPH. When this occurred the fuel system did not shut off, the airbags did not deploy, and the seat belts did not retract. The entire rear end of the vehicle was crushed; the contents of the trunk struck the contact causing minor injuries. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the rear end was replaced.
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Ford Escort. While driving 40-45 MPH, the consumer was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police and ambulance appeared on the scene and one of the vehicle occupants was reported injured. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The failure and current mileages were 132,000. Updated 10/19/10
Dt*: the contact stated that the front driver air bag did not deploy in a head-on collission that occurred while driving 42 MPH. There was pre-impact braking, the seat belt was worn and the airbag warning light was not illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries to the driver. The service dealer have not yet determined the damages on the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Escort. While driving 35 MPH he rear-ended another vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. The dealer nor the manufacturer has been contacted. The cause of the failure was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 99,000.
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving at 45 MPH. Upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed. Driver sustained back and neck injuries, and is currently in therapy.
While driving smoke started to come out from the front passenger side air bag compartment. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
My then 20 year old daughter was driving our 1999 Escort zx2. She stoped at a stop sign, and as she began to accell. The air bags deployed for no reason. She was shaken up, and burned on her face and arms. I reported this to Ford motor company, they told me because the vehicle was out of warranty, they would not be responsible and would not even inestigate the concern. They advised me to contact my insurance co. I contacted farmers ins. They said that since there was no accident it was not covered. However they agreed to pay for a portion of the investigation. A report was made by an independant co. They recommended taht the air bag module be removed and sent to a qualified engineer for evaluation. North point Ford in n.l.r. Ar. Removed the part, and farmers sent it to be evaluated. In the mean time my vehicle is damaged and no one will help. …
1999 Ford Escort,had a wreck and the car was totaled out by insurance adjuster,the airbags did not deploy and even the insurance adjuster stated wow the airbags didn't even deploy. Me and my girlfriend were injured and went to the emergency room and have not been able to work since October 2011 and have over 100,000 dollars alone in medical bills and still have to have surgery. Airbags should have worked like they were installed to do. I called and spoke with someone at your location and she said that there wasn't a recall yet,but they have had several complaints about the same thing. I did not know how to fill out the information about the equipment. My complaint is that the airbags did not deploy or work when we had a accident in which the car was totaled out and we were in a 1999 Ford Escort.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag non-deployment
Airbag complaints in other Escort years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Ford Escort?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Escort, 20% of the model year's 325 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Escort airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Ford Escort, though it has 1 recall 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 1999 Ford Escort airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 58 crashes, 3 fires and 45 injuries and 2 deaths 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.