2001 Ford Escape airbag problems

AIR BAGS

WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD 60 MILES AN HOUR AT NIGHT TIME A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY SON JAMMED ON THE BRAKES SKIDDING A DISTANCE HITTING THE DEER. BECAUSE OF JAMMING ON THE BRAKES MY SON HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS FACE CAUSING INJURY TO HIS NECK, FACE AND HEAD. HIS SEAT BELT WAS ON AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. HE SKIDDING A DISTANCE SWERVING RIGHT TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD HITTING A METAL BAR AT THE EDGE OF A DRIVEWAY. I SENT A COMPLAINT INTO THE NHTSA AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T OF GONE OFF. I ALSO HAVE A PICTURE OF A FRIENDS FORD TRUCK GOING OFF THE ROAD AT 60 HITTING A HOUSE AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. SO THE EXCUSE THE AIRBAGS WOULDN'T GO OFF HITTING A DEER IS COMPLETELY WRONG. FIGURE OUT THE FORCE OF JAMMING ON THE BRAKES AT 60 MILES AN HOUR SKIDDING A DISTANCE. FORD HAS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES. YOU HAVE LOST A FEW CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF STANDING BY YOUR PRODUCT. I AM SENDING COMPLAINTS TO WHOMEVER I CAN BECAUSE I KNOW THE NHTSA WOULD DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10690068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

MY SON WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN A BIG DEER CAME OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. HE JAMMED ON HIS BRAKES SKIDDING BUT STILL HIT THE DEER TOTALING THE CAR. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT. HE WENT FORWARD HITTING HIS UPPER BODY AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAD HIS SEAT BELT ON. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY FRIENDS. HE TURNED BLACK AND BLUE AND STILL IS HURTING. THE CAR WAS JUST INSPECTED THE END OF OCTOBER. I FEEL FORD AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE. THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS NOT WORKING CAUSING INJURY. I'M WITHOUT A CAR...UPDATED 12/04/14*BF UPDATED 06/2/2015

NHTSA complaint #10659367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

GOING DOWN ROUTE. 226 WHEN A BIG BUCK RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE NYS TROOPERS CAME TO THE ACCIDENT. HAD TO TAKE MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF HITTING HIS UPPER BODY AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPEN. MY BACK AND NECK IS SORE.

NHTSA complaint #10655264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

ON NOVEMBER 11, 2013, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD ESCAPE AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE FRONT SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE (BUILT INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACKREST) SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, FRIGHTENING AND NEARLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD NOT HIT A POT HOLE OR ANY OTHER OBJECT THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG HIT THE DRIVERS ARM, CAUSING RED MARKS THAT LASTED A DAY, BUT FORTUNATELY NO LASTING INJURY. AFTER PULLING THE CAR OVER AND FINDING NO OTHER DAMAGE (BESIDES THE RIPPED-OUT SIDE OF THE BACKREST WITH THE DEFLATED AIRBAG) THAT WOULD AFFECT OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DRIVEN HOME APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES. THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND, ON 11/14, WAS DRIVEN TO JIM WILSON FORD IN YREKA, CA TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND COST OF REPAIR. THE DEALER SAID THAT TWO OR THREE MALFUNCTIONS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY, BUT THEY COULDN'T PIN DOWN THE CAUSE. COST OF REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO BE $2,043. AS OF TODAY (11/21/13), THE AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, THINKING THAT MORE INVESTIGATION MIGHT BE PROPOSED FOR THE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS AND EVEN DEADLY DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10553251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY. THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE LOWER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,050.

NHTSA complaint #10534425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WOULD SEIZE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO EXTEND THE SEAT BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ UPDATED 11/15/12

NHTSA complaint #10478452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

SUBMISSION FROM RE FORD ESCAPE 2001 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S24 *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JAN 2012. THE NOTICE INDICATED SHE WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN THE PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE SAFETY RECALL WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE, WHICH WOULDN'T BE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, WHICH WAS PRIOR TO THE RECALL, BUT WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS PARTLY COMPENSATED BY FORD IN THE FORM OF A CHECK FOR $1900 ACCOMPANIED BY A DOCUMENT WHICH STATED BY ACCEPTING THE COMPENSATION, SHE WOULD ALSO BE SIGNING OFF ON ANY OTHER CLAIMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, MASTER CYLINDER, WIRING HARNESS, ABS, BRAKE LINE BOOSTER, POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS, INTAKE MANIFOLD AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG WERE ALL REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FREEZE, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF, RENDERING THE DOOR UNSTABLE, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR SHOCK WERE LEAKING.

NHTSA complaint #10461520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AROUND A CURVE, SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED DUE TO HEAD INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12

NHTSA complaint #10459537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGNAL AND WHEN DRIVING FROM THE COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UP TO 58 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V210001 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER THE CONTACT DID RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #10434080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH IN DEC 2002. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD DEALER REPAIRED DAMAGE. AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD FLASH AND STAY ON AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. DEALER CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. RECENTLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THEN STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY, EVERY TIME VEHICLE WAS STARTED. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, HOWEVER WE RECEIVE A SERIES OF 5 BEEPS, 5 TIMES, EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED, AND EVERY 30 MINUTES IF VEHICLE IS RUNNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS. TOTAL COST = OVER $1100. DEALER WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS WE ARE NOT THE ONLY CONSUMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPAIR ALL ESCAPES SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10369659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH. AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT, DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE A FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10203197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS WRITING THIS FOR MY SISTER WHO IS NO LONGER HERE. SHE DROVE A 2001 FORD ESCAPE GOING 60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF HER STOPPED AND SHE REAR ENDED THEM. HER CAR FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND SHE WAS EJECTED. ALTHOUGH THE STATE TROOPERS SAID SHE WASN'T WEARING HER SEAT BELT SHE CLEARLY HAD A 2" BY 4" ABRASION ON HER LEFT SHOULDER EXACTLY THE SIZE AND LOCATION THAT HER SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE BEEN. THE SUV WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, NOT A PANEL ON IT WASN'T SMASHED - AND YET THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. IT WAS SO BAD THAT I WENT BY THE ACCIDENT AND DIDN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THE CAR UNTIL A POLICE OFFICER CALLED OUR HOUSE AND TOLD US ABOUT THE ACCIDENT AND LOCATION. MY SISTER WAS 22 YEARS OLD WITH A HUSBAND AND A DAUGHTER AND NOW SHE IS NO LONGER HERE. I REALIZE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT, WE GOT A LETTER 2 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL WAS 2 YEARS BEFORE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE AIRBAGS THOUGH. R.I.P. AMANDA WHITMORE.

NHTSA complaint #10196164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE SUN BLINDED THE CONTACT, AND SHE REAR ENDED THE OTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS BADLY DAMAGED. THE FRAME WAS BENT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER WAS BELTED. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84000. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #10182437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH WHICH RESULTED IN HER 2001 FORD ESCAPE BEING TOTALED AND AT NO TIME DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. SHE WENT ACROSS THREE LANES OF HIGHWAY HIT THE GUARD RAIL WENT BACK ACROSS THE THREE LANES AND HIT THE OTHER GUARD RAIL. SHE LIVES TO TELL HER STORY. SHE NOW HAS PAIN IN HER CERVICAL SPINE RESULTING IN HER SEEING A DOCTOR ON A REGULAR BASIS.

NHTSA complaint #10169362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10-20 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED.

NHTSA complaint #10158705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

IN JUNE 2005, I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR HYDROPLANED AND I HIT A BRIDGE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A FEW BUMPS AND BRUISES BUT NEVER WENT TO THE DOCTOR. IF THE ACCIDENT WERE WORSE THAN WHAT IT WAS AND THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WENT TO FORD AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. IT WAS NEVER LOOKED INTO TO SEE IF THEY DID INFACT MALFUNCTION. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE TO THE WHEEL AND SOMETHING ELSE AND I WANT TO SEE IF THAT RECALL WERE FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10135814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SWERVED AROUND THE VEHICLE TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IN THE PROCESS, IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10119117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.