2006 Ford Focus Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  5
• Side/window
  3
• Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  517%
• 25k–50k
  621%
• 50k–75k
  724%
• 75k–100k
  414%
• 100k–150k
  414%
• 150k+
  310%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My sister was driving my 2006 Ford Focus along a highway. Out of nowhere, the airbag in the side of the driver's seat deployed. This was the only airbag that deployed. The airbag deployed into the side of my sister emitting a white smoke or powder substance. She saw black from the trauma of the airbag impact. She was able to then gain control of the vehicle as no other vehicles were around. She got into the emergency lane and slowly made her way to the offramp then into a gravel parking lot. She then called her daughter to pick her up, who then took her to the ER. She was not thinking clearly or she would have called an ambulance. My husband took off work and took our car dolly and towed the vehicle to our house. My sister was diagnosed with head trauma, concussion, and whiplash. She has since been to her primary doctor who is following her care now. …

Vehicle slid on black ice, up an embankment and into a utility pole. The airbags did not deploy. Operator was wearing seatbelt, struck forehead on steering wheel sustaining a laceration that required 20 stitches. Operator was transported to hospital by ambulance, where he was subsequently put on a ventilator because of possible bleeding in the brain. Operator, thankfully made a full recovery, but will be permanently scarred.

Blind sides reflectors cause accidents has fuel system problems over heat makes car catch on fire

I have recently been doing a review of several incidents involving the Ford Focus one of which was relating to my father, where on instances the air bag did not deploy on the vehicles during the incidence of a crash. This is something that I have noted on several accidents involving the vehicle, where in determination of the impact should of activated the deployment of the vehicles airbags but rather the system has not reacted in any form as of thus far there has been on noted death that I know of being my father, their could be others but unsure...I have 5 notations of this happening the vehicles were diffrent peoples, bought at diffrent times, and from diffrent dealerships.

Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford Focus. While driving 55 MPH under dry conditions, the contact swerved to avoid striking an animal in the road. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the passenger side of another vehicle and spun around a few times. The contact's vehicle sustained front end damage, however, the air bags never deployed. The police arrived and filed a report. Two passengers suffered whiplash, one of whom was pregnant and was hospitalized. Ford offered no assistance. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The approximate current and failure mileages were 20,000.

On Sunday July 15, 2012 I was in auto accident in which car rolled over three times on the interstate slide down interstate and landed upside down I had to climb out thru driver side window to exit car. The driver nor passenger side airbags deployed in the car. Suffered ligament damage in neck from seat belt and whiplash burn mark on left arm from sparks flying off the car, and bad contusions to lungs from chest hitting steering wheel. Contacting Ford motor company to file claim no response from them even tho they were submitted photos of proof that airbags didn't deploy etc.

2006 Ford Focus was involved in a two car accident while traveling at 50 MPH. A large pickup truck pulled out in front of the Ford Focus, and the front passenger side of the car was severely damaged. As a result of the impact, the driver side air bag deployed (no one was in the passenger seat), but driver sustained severe injuries of the left eye including abrasions, burns, bruising, and swelling/inflammation after hitting a hard surface. Driver required medical attention. It is suspected that there was a delayed deployment of the air bag which resulted in the injuries.

Air bag warning light stayed on after car was parked and then started. Engine started, and the air bag SRS light came on as part of self test, went off for about 5 seconds, came back on then stayed on. Car was never in a significant accident. Only accident was scratched bumper from sideswipe when vehicle was stationary. Checked under and around 2 front seats for debris per owner's manual. All OK with inspection. Latched and unlatched seat belts (dr and pass), pulled and retracted seat belts. No change, air bag light still on.

Purchased new, have had in to Ford dealer multiple times for air bag light on both on cluster and on dash. Ford did what amounted to temp fix 3 times, I moved later paid nearly $1ooo to replace parts. Fix lasted few weeks. Light out right now but one or both lights come on and stay on about every other week. Ford has been useless as to permanent fix. Had similar problems with Ford f-250 but with engine. Moving or stopped someone in both seats or not it keeps happening.

I chose 'crash' above only because there was contact between two vehicles. At a red light, the Focus rolled into the car in front at no more than 3-5 MPH. Air bag deployed, seat belts locked. Zero damage to either vehicle, except small dent to the license plate, I took the vehicle to my body shop. After inspecting the vehicle, they are also confused as to why it deployed. Estimate to repair is $1800. Is this normal? Is this a known issue with the 2006 Focus?

Airbag complaints in other Focus years