Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% | 99,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% | 26,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% | 23,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 2% | 41,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% | 119,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% | 72,000 miles |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% | 64,000 miles |
| 2004 | 21 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% | 58,000 miles |
| 2002 | 47 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 66 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2000 | 88 | 7% | 67,000 miles |
| 1999 | 40 | 5% | 92,000 miles |
| 1998 | 39 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 42 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 1996 | 45 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 55 | 5% | 136,000 miles |
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 turned left after stopping at a four-way stop sign intersection. I crashed into a parked car waiting its turn but I did not see until I was upon it and it was too late to swerve away. My car's air bags inflated. My wrist was broken. My car was declared totaled by my insurer although I could not have been speeding since I had just stopped at the four-way stop sign, waited my turn, and turned my car left onto a street that runs slightly downhill. I am still trying to comprehend how my wrist on my right hand was broken since both of my hands were on the steering wheel at the point of impact but a trip to the emergency room proved my suddenly limp and suddenly pain-filled arm meant I had broken my wrist. …
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact indicated that the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into a nearby building. During the incident, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The front passenger sustained a back injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a loud noise and the air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a tree. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the Ford dealer, but was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,000.
My brother was making a left turn at the intersection of 170th street.He had been traveling north on Torrence avenue in Lansing prior to the collision. He had come to a complete stop while waiting to safely complete a left turn to travel west on 170th street. As he proceeded through the intersection at 170th & Torrence avenue,a southbound vehicle ran through the stop signal and collided with the 2014 Taurus vehicle ,my brother was driving.After the contact the air bags in the 2014 ford Taurus did not deploy and the 2014 ford Taurus had spun around facing south,when it came to a complete stop
Vehicle hydroplaned and hit the guard rail alot of front end damage no air bag deployment. Injuries including a head injury both occupants were transported to a hospital. Update 9/15/15 the consumer stated the air bag sensor wasn't triggered and wants to cancel the complaint. Updated 10/01/15
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH making a left turn a vehicle collided with the front passenger side of the vehicle. The steering wheel air bag deployed violently. The contact sustained face and left arm inquiries from the air bag. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was determined destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his back and neck and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Took our 2012 Ford Taurus in for service & they ask if we would like them 2 go ahead & do our state inspection so we said that's fine! We they later came iut & said it would pass inspection because of air bag & tag light! When we pulled in to that dealership the airbag light wasn't on! We told them this!the said they would have to run a test 4 another $100 or more! We looked up online & found where there was a recalls back in April 2016 for airbags on this model!they said not on there records in their computer! We ask 4 Ford phone # & on 09/16/2016 we called Ford & no help there either! I'm concerned! For car hasn't been wrecker & we fear for our safety as well as our families safety riding in this car!please help check check 4 recalls & complaints & get to the bottom of this matter! Thank u so much!
Related recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Ford motor company has identified 260 reports alleging frontal air bag non-deployment for any (severity) frontal or near-frontal crash on model year 2000-2001 Ford taurus and Mercury sable vehicles.additional crash reports are contained in NHTSA's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the single odi report listed in the report summary is NHTSA's special crash investigation's case no.
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
This investigation identified a total of 427 reports alleging non-deployment of the frontal air bags.of the 427 reports, two incidents (fatal crashes) have been identified as severe frontal crashes in which the frontal air bags did not deploy.a defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Taurus years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (88), 2001 (66), 1995 (55), 2002 (47) and 2003 (46) model years. Airbag complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Ford Taurus airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-247 (frontal, Apr 26, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Taurus airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (278 mentions), followed by the side/window (25).
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.