2004 Ford Escape airbag problems

AIR BAGS

I have a 2004 Ford Escape which I absolutely love knocking on the door of almost 300,000 miles. Go Ford. But lately my airbag light blinks and my escape beeps 5 times every 8 seconds or so and then it repeats itself with a total of 20 beeps. After the beeping is finished my airbag light stays illuminated. When I checked online what it means it says a defective airbag. It is intermittent or when I am on long trips.

NHTSA complaint #11460368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

IT SEEMS ONE DAY I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON. IT IS USUALLY ON CONSTANTLY OR BLINKING. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT STAYS ON. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE AIRBAGS ON THIS SITE. I WISH I KNEW THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS CAR. I ALSO JUST RECENTLY HAD THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE BREAK ON ME. CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE. GREAT! WONDERFUL! WHEN I WENT TO THE PARTS STORE THE COUNTER PERSON SAID THAT THIS WAS THE 5TH FORD HOOD RELEASE THAT THEY HAD PEOPLE LOOKING FOR IN LESS THAN A MONTH. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL FOR THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE? SHOULD THERE BE??

NHTSA complaint #11082497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE JUST REACHED 120,000 MILES AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, THEY SAID IT WAS SEAT BELT PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST $400-$500 TO FIX IT. SO I DECIDED TO GET A SECOND OPINION & I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THAT DOES ALL MY REPAIRS TO SEE WHAT HE WOULD SAY. HE PUT IT ON COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT SHOWED UP AND IT SAYS SIDE AIRBAG OPEN CIRCUIT. I CALLED DEALER TO SEE WHY THEY SAID IT WAS SEAT BELT ISSUE AND DEALER SAID THEY GET A LOT OF OLDER ESCAPES IN WITH AIRBAG LIGHTS AND ITS USUALLY JUST SEAT BELT ISSUE. I PERSONALLY DON'T TRUST THE DEALER NEAR ME BUT DON'T WANT TO DRIVE 1 HR AWAY TO ANOTHER DEALER. MY MECHANIC IS DOING RESEARCH FOR ME. I TRUST HIM BEFORE THE DEALER. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS ISSUES THE AIRBAGS IN THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION SO A RECALL CAN TAKE AFFECT. HOPEFULLY NO ONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT AND GETS HURT OR KILLED BC OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11024059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

IN APRIL 2016, I PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECENT STATE INSPECTION STICKER VERIFYING THAT IT PASSED ALL STATE SAFETY STANDARDS, TO INCLUDE HAVING WORKING AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND LATER STAYED ON. NOW THE AIRBAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DURING THIS SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONNECTED TO A LARGER ISSUE...ESPECIALLY SINCE BOTH PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER READING VARIOUS ARTICLES ONLINE, I REALIZED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD ESCAPES AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SOMETIMES A REOCCURRING PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY OTHER VEHICLES (NON-FORD) WITH OVER 200,000 MILES ON THEM, AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE EVER HAD ANY NON-OPERABLE AIRBAG ISSUES. DUE TO THIS BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WITH AIRBAG(S) IN THE FORD ESCAPES BECOMING PREMATURELY INOPERABLE, FORD SHOULD MAKE A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM...BEFORE SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY GETS HURT OR KILLED, FROM HAVING AN INOPERABLE AIRBAG OR AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10887618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS OR CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON...ALSO REAR PASSENGER SHOCK HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM WHEEL WELL CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. I JUST HAD THIS VEHICLE FINANCED BACK IN FEBRUARY 2016.

NHTSA complaint #10873771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING-THE CODE SAID THAT THE SEATBELT CONNECTOR HAD FAILED-THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE SEATBELT CONNECTORS COSTING US 493.13, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD COVER UNDER A WARRANTY OR SAFETY RECALL. I AM OUT 493.13 PLUS THE 100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS. I HAVE ATTACHED THE SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. FORD SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR ANY RECALL. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS

NHTSA complaint #10873163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,400.

NHTSA complaint #10810442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEATBELT ALARM PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10808028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #10761252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE, IN 2012 I PAID 336.90 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG FIXED. IN 2014 THE AIR BAG LIGHT RETURNED, I PAID 356.83 FOR IT TO BE FIXED AGAIN. NOW I RECENTLY PAID 99.95 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO BE TOLD I NEED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL 600 PLUS TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED FORD WHO SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS ALLEGEDLY REPAIRED AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT AGAIN AND TRULY BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX IT AND OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COSTS I HAVE INCURRED SO FAR. CAN YOU HELP?

NHTSA complaint #10759809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED TWO FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND TERMINALS. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING FAULT CODE WAS CLEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,508.

NHTSA complaint #10759825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OR DRIVING, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. VEHICLE WILL "REV" IN PARK, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY, BUMPED OR MOVE. TWICE VEHICLE HAS "JUMPED" WHILE IN PARKED WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. MAJOR ISSUE: DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK ON THE DOORS, ONLY ELECTRONIC. NO PLACE FOR A KEY. PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE WITH NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE EXCEPT TO CLIMB OVER SEAT. WILL HAPPEN TO VARIOUS DOORS, MOST OFTEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, BUT NOT ALL DOORS AT THE SAME TIME (WE BELIEVE THIS MAY HAPPEN,) DOOR LOCK WILL CLICK 3 TIMES BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10722376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON FOR MANY YEARS - FEEL A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE AIRBAGS NO CRASH REAR INNER FENDER WELLS RUST THROUGH ON 2004 FORD ESCAPE MODELS ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP- MANUFACTURER ISSUE - WOULD LIKE REPLACED - SAFETY ISSUE MY ENTIRE FAMILY OWNS FORD VEHICLES. MY FATHER RETIRED FROM FORD, CANTON, OHIO WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE FORD OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10702479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER INNER FENDER WELL CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA complaint #10702513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THIS DEFECT WAS PRESENT AND KNOWN ABOUT LONG BEFORE THE 2013 MODEL RECALL. INCLUDE EARLIER YEAR ESCAPES IN THE AIRBAG RECALL--WE ARE STILL DRIVING THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10649864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CODE 46 AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. TAKEN IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM!!!

NHTSA complaint #10575052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG SENSOR DISPLAYED ON DASH. WILL NOT GO OFF. SCHEDULING DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON FRIDAY 2/21/2014. RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON INTERNET, APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING MUCH TO OFTEN FOR IT TO BE A INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC STATED IT HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES. THE COST TO REPAIR IS NOT CHEAP. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT INTERVENED AND ALERTED THE PUBLIC OR AT THE VERY LEAST FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE NO INCOME AT THIS TIME. I TRULY HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL HOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUS HURT OR WORSE KILLED.

NHTSA complaint #10564770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE TO THE AIR BAG TO ACTIVATE WHILE ENGAGED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM TO THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS POSSIBLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10548474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #10505568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 3/14/13

NHTSA complaint #10496076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING RED, CODE 47, CONNECTORS REPLACED LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. DEALER COST ESTIMATE $400+ DOLLARS AND NO WARRANTY. UNABLE TO FIX DUE TO COST WITH NO WARRANTY. REAL SAFETY CONCERN AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10468353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE START UP,AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPERATE OCCASSION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE BOTH FAILURES. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP FAILED AND THE PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR THE DETACHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,116.

NHTSA complaint #10455783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN STAYS ON. WARNING CODE IS 46. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. NOT SURE WHAT SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXED. LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN A YEAR LATER AND HAS GONE ON AND OFF FOR YEARS. DUE TO TIME AND COST , COULD NOT BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR A SECOND TIME. WAS RECENTLY TOLD BY FORD SERVICE REP THAT I WOULD PROBABLY PAY $400 TO FIX. MAY BE SEATBELT PRETENSIONER. WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THIS WAS NOT FIXED.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN)REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR, AND WITH SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK, MANY CONSUMERS MAY NOT HAVE THIS WORK DONE, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. TO DATE, I AM NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE THIS POSES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10455685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SAID WE NEED TO REPLACE THE PRETENSIONER AND CONNECTERS. VERY EXPENSIVE ESTIMATE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SOMEONE SUGGESTED CHECKING UNDER THE SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) FOR A LOOSE CONNECTION. WE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTING THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEENAGER LEARNING TO DRIVE. WE DID CHECK UNDER THE SEAT TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE CONNECTION. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT STAY LIT. NOT SURE IF BY JIGGLING SOME WIRES TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T A LOOSE CONNECTION THAT WE MAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. NOT SURE THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10451873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH 72,000 MILES. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND AIR BAG LIGHT WENT AWAY. 4 DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW IT STAYS ON. THE LIGHT FLASHES A CODE OF 4-6 THREE TIMES AND THEN STAYS LIT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE SEATBELTS FOR A COST OF AROUND $400.00, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ITEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10375512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.