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
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, a deer simultaneously jumped in front of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the deer. The front driver's side air bag deployed; however, the front dash air bag failed to deploy. The contact's wrist, neck, and shoulder were sore. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,800.
The contact owned a 2019 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another driver. The damage was on the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash and was monitoring his pain. No medical attention was received as on yet. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, awaiting inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 91,000.
The contact's grandmother owns a 2018 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle started sputtering, vibrating, and jerking. The sputtering was severe, causing the front driver's side seat belt to be activated. The vehicle was immediately driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
12/4/2023 while attempting to pull into a parking spot in a parking garage car suddenly accelerated forward at a very fast rate, just prior to acceleration felt like it shuddered. Afraid that it would keep going and go over edge so I pulled to the right while trying to brake and hit a concrete barrier. Terrifying! October 23, 2019 another couple had this happen in another parking garage downtown Indianapolis and they were killed. Car went over the edge. Must have been on my mind! Have owned this car since 02/23/2022, no problems whatsoever, checked out in September of this 2023, all maintenance up to date. Weather was dry and floor pads were not in way (bringing this up because I was asked this by a friend). Been driving 50+ years and never had a car do this. Hit the front drivers side of the car, air bags did NOT deploy, but the insurance company totaled my car. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving at 45 MPH with him in the front passenger seat, another vehicle suddenly crossed in front of the vehicle, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear end of the other vehicle. The front driver's side air bag and the passengers' side air bags failed to deploy. The driver's knee air bag deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's girlfriend sustained neck injuries and leg injuries and was transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact sustained soreness on the right knee and stomach. The contact sought medical assistance the next day. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. …
I was involved in an accident on the freeway the vehicle was struck twice and careened into the center divider once before coming to rest. The airbags never deployed. I sustained a broken neck by hyper extending my neck over the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fiesta. The contact stated that the air bags had been inoperable since 2016. The contact stated that the air bag warning light had remained illuminated for several years. The vehicle was taken to several dealers who diagnosed the failure to be seat belt retention failure. The vehicle was not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,850.
This goes with Incidents 11500972 & 11500985 2015 Ford Fiesta SE purchased 2.8.18 Crest Ford in Center Line, MI From my other reports, car has had all kinds of issues. This is 3/5 and these are all ACCIDENTS. In early 2019, I was coming home from a medical appointment in the morning. I was the 4th car, sitting at the busy intersection of 9 Mile and Kelly, which was ON 9 Mile, going West. The light was red. I had my seat belt on, like always, my foot on the brake, looking straight ahead at the light. Suddenly, the car shook, like as if a semi was going by, but no one was moving. And even tho my foot was squarely on the brake, the car took off, like someone had pressed the accelerator peddle! Quickly I pressed as hard as I could down further on the brake, but it didn't matter. The car kind of jumped, then took off, again, like someone was had stomped on the accelerator. …
Related recalls (1)
Air bags
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fiesta years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (23), 2014 (18), 2012 (15), 2015 (14) and 2013 (13) model years. Airbag complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Ford Fiesta airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 12V-488 (air bags, Oct 5, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Fiesta airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (1 mentions), followed by the sensor › occupant classification › front passenger (1).
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.