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 2002 Ford Mustang owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While my daughter was driving on a in town road she came upon construction, all traffic was stopped because the 2 lanes were down to 1. As she was waiting for traffic to start moving her boot got caught under seat lever (thigh high boots flap got caught) and it made her foot slip from brake, she then bumped into the van in front of her, less then 5mph and both which there was no passenger or anything on her seat airbags deployed destroying her colume. Absolutely no front end damage, no damage to other vehicle, car still runs and seatbelts still work. Having it checked for malfunctions.
Subject:airbag failure comments: twice now my son has had an accident with his 2002 Mustang and the airbag did not deploy. Fortunately he was not hurt. My major concern is that I had the airbag specifically tested at the repair shop at the last repair before accepting delivery of the car. I was told someone is hired by the repair shop to come out and run tests by hooking up instruments to the car and getting a read out. To the best of my knowledge this was done but my son just had his 2nd accident and his car hit a concrete barrier at better than 40 MPH and the airbag still did not deploy. I have reported it to consumer service at the Ford website but have not received a response. I am very concerned about my son's future use of this car and that fact that my wife owns an identical Mustang of the same manufactured year of 2002. …
There was a vehicle in front of me. Both vehicles were traveling at the same speed. The car in front of me anchored the brakes. I was 3 car length behind. Th ABS failed and did not allow the brakes to resume. We hit the back end of the car in front at 35mph. The passenger seatbelt broke ending my fiance head into the windshield. The airbags did not deploy car was totaled and the Toyota did not have a scratch: myself and my girl are both injured. I purchased this car 5/14. I believe there May not be airbags and I also think this car escaped having to have a salvage title. We are upset to say the least. As it is one thing but to put a consumers life at risk is another. This is the second car from this dealer since March 2014 that we had been given a death trap.
I own 2 / 2002 Ford mustangs. My son has been in 2 accidents with his within the last year and in both incidents his airbag did not deploy. The first accident May have a reasonable explanation but the 2nd one was an accident that involved him hitting a concrete barrier at better than 40 MPH. I had the airbag tested when repaired on the 1st accident and approved. I am very concerned about future protection from this device and Ford actually expects me to pay for additional testing. Can you help?
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Mustang. While driving 35 MPH, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. The steering wheel and dashboard were damaged due to the deployment. The contact took the vehicle to an auto repair facility where it was diagnosed as an air bag failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 115,000.
While driving at 30 MPH the consumer entered a one way street the wrong way. Then, consumer's vehicle collided with another vehicle head on. Consumer wore seat belts, but air bags failed to deploy. Upon impact, driver sustained injuries, and the police did make a report. Vehicle was totaled in the collision.
While driving north at 45 MPH a vehicle traveling south hit consumer's vehicle head on. Front air bags did not deploy, and driver's seat belt did not lock. Driver's head hit the steering wheel. Driver was transported to the emergency room for treatment of neck pain and injuries to the legs.
Ten minutes prior to air bags deploying I complained to my two passengers that my eyes were burning. I was stopped in traffic, with my foot on brake in center lane in city traffic, when I hear a loud bang and instantly both airbags on driver and passenger side deployed. The noise and force startled me taking my foot of brake and rolling forward. The air bags blew both my passenger and my glasses into the back seat of car. The passenger bag was smoking badly and I quickly put down both windows and I pulled off street into shopping center parking lot. The car in front of me whom I rolled into pulled over as well. We checked both the front of my car and rear bumper of her car and because no visible damage. I took a picture of her bumper and license plate to show no damage. …
To whom it May concern,on aug. 26, 2003 at around 9:45 pm I was in a terrible car accident in my 2002 Ford Mustang ,in which my airbags failed to deploy. The point of impact was approximately 50-55 MPH head on and I was also struck from behind. I am very angry that my airbags did not deploy at the point of impact, especially with the advanced technology and sensors installed on my vehicle. The police were also very worried at that fact. I want to know if there is any legal action I can take against Ford motor co. For jeopardizing my safety. Jason hirst.
Dt: the contact's daughter lost total control of the vehicle. The roads were dry and she was driving 40-50 MPH. The vehicle started to spin and hit a guard rail. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the Ford dealership. She was unaware if anything was done. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop. The tow truck driver stated, at the scene, it was a problem with the steering column. The vehicle was totaled. She was unsure if a police report was taken.
Airbag complaints in other Mustang years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Ford Mustang?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Ford Mustang, 13% of the model year's 166 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Mustang airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Ford Mustang. 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 2002 Ford Mustang airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 11 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.