Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was in a accident on the 105fwy west, going between 15-25 MPH in moderate morning traffic. I hit the back of a car, slammed my face against the steering wheel, and severely damaged my front hood, bumper and engine, which has been totaled out! My air bags failed to deploy! Its a 2001 Ford Escort, never been in a accident, and I have neck, back, and severe jaw pain.
I was involved in a very minor accident with only paint damage to my front bumper. The other vehicle also had only paint damage. I was stopped and the other vehicle scraped mine at a speed of maybe 25 MPH. My airbags depoyed and caused more damage than the accident itself.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Ford Escort. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact attempted to change lanes and crashed into a van. The air bags deployed with such an extreme force that the contact sustained injuries to the face, chest, and right arm that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an unknown location where it was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 179,000. The VIN was not available.
Dt*: the contact stated the airbags did not deploy in an accident causing the driver to hit and fracture the windshield at 35 MPH. The accident was a rear end collision. The driver was wearing a seatbelt. The airbag warning light was not on prior to the crash. Pictures were available and a police report was taken.
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 consumer states that the 1998 Ford Escort crashed into a light pole. The driver hit the pole and the air bag deployed and broke. The inside of the air bag sprayed the chemicals on the driver, the chemicals burnt her hands and arm. She said that she could not find a lawyer in her town to take case. The lawyers and the insurance company were working together against her. She said that she had a boil on her hand and a bruise on her chest. The consumer has pictures of the air bag. She wanted someone to reimburse her for the car because she lived in low income housing. She said vehicle was totaled and the junk dealer came and got it. And she did not get paid for it. A police report was taken.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Escort. While driving between 35-40 MPH, rear ended another vehicle. At the time of the crash, the air bags failed to deploy. Both occupants were wearing seat belts, but that did not prevent them from being thrown to the front of the vehicle and injured. The driver sustained injuries to the head and face. A police report was filed. The vehicle was partially destroyed and the front bumper, bumper support, radiator and support, air conditioner condenser, and power steering reservoir were damaged. The failure and current mileages were 81,756.
Related recalls (3)
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.
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.
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…
Air bag non-deployment
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Escort years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (152), 1998 (75), 1995 (67), 1999 (66) and 1996 (18) model years. Airbag complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Escort airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 02V-323 (sensor/control module-inactive, Dec 9, 2002); 94V-218 (frontal, Nov 10, 1994); 94V-197 (frontal, Oct 11, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Escort airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (267 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (34).
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.