AIR BAGS
VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #11032000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
493 of the 5,050 complaints filed about the Ford Escort are about the airbag system — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1997.
493
Complaints
10%
Share of all complaints
323
Crashes
31
Fires
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ACTIVATED, WON'T TURN OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISIONS OR ACTIVITY THAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BE ACTIVATED.
NHTSA complaint #11032000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SAFETY HORN STICKS AND REMAINS IN ON POSITION CREATING A DRIVING SAFETY RISK. DEALER EXPLAINS THAT THE HORN SWITCH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG. BASED ON ALL INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND AIR BAG PROBLEMS, MIGHT BE TIME TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE FORD'S COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND AIRBAG PERFORMANCE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCORT/1997/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/COMMUNICATIONS-HORN_ASSEMBLY.SHTML
NHTSA complaint #10904225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND CRASHED INTO A VAN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH AN EXTREME FORCE THAT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, CHEST, AND RIGHT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10680515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY MOTHER AND I WERE DRIVING TO MY GRANDPARENTS HOUSE WHEN SHE HIT A BABY DEER GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN RIGHT SIDE OF THE FACE. MY TEETH WENT INTO MY LIP, AND I HAD BURN MARKS FROM THE AIRBAG ON MY CHEEKBONES, AND CHIN, ALSO MY RIGHT EYE WAS SWOLLEN SHUT THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE THE POLICE OFFICER INFORMED MY MOTHER THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. HE SAID THE AIRBAGS WERE SO SENSITIVE THAT HE COULD HAVE KICKED THE BUMPER AND THEY WOULD HAVE WENT OFF. MY MOTHER ONLY RECEIVED A BROKEN FINGER FROM WHERE HER HANDS WERE RESTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10592090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) AND PLANNED ON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
NHTSA complaint #10467606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
1999 FORD ESCORT,HAD A WRECK AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER,THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND EVEN THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED WOW THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND WERE INJURED AND WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WORK SINCE OCTOBER 2011 AND HAVE OVER 100,000 DOLLARS ALONE IN MEDICAL BILLS AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE WORKED LIKE THEY WERE INSTALLED TO DO. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT YOUR LOCATION AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL YET,BUT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR WORK WHEN WE HAD A ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT AND WE WERE IN A 1999 FORD ESCORT.
NHTSA complaint #10458854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V218000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,404.
NHTSA complaint #10408678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG CONTROL DIAGNOSTIC MODULE SHORTED OUT DUE TO RUPTURED HEATER CORE. WHEN I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A LOCAL JUNK YARD. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10372042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. AS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE BEEN DRIVEN 5 MPH IN A DRIVEWAY BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE STATED THE DRIVER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIONUS AND THE OTHER PASSENGER HAD A INJURY TO THE FACE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A BRANCH HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,152. VWB
NHTSA complaint #10350773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 10/19/10
NHTSA complaint #10329163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000.
NHTSA complaint #10295582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE 105FWY WEST, GOING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH IN MODERATE MORNING TRAFFIC. I HIT THE BACK OF A CAR, SLAMMED MY FACE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SEVERELY DAMAGED MY FRONT HOOD, BUMPER AND ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT! MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY! ITS A 2001 FORD ESCORT, NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT, AND I HAVE NECK, BACK, AND SEVERE JAW PAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10280479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON THE 105FWY WEST, GOING BETWEEN 15-25 MPH IN MODERATE MORNING TRAFFIC. I HIT THE BACK OF A CAR, SLAMMED MY FACE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SEVERELY DAMAGED MY FRONT HOOD, BUMPER AND ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN TOTALED OUT! MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY! ITS A 2001 FORD ESCORT, NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT, AND I HAVE NECK, BACK, AND SEVERE JAW PAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10280479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SHATTERED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER BY LETTER OR PHONE WITHIN 15 DAYS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,890.
NHTSA complaint #10251511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD ESCORT LX ON A 35 MPH ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES. MY SON IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR, BUT HE REAR-ENDED THE OTHER CAR BEFORE HE COULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. DURING THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY - ALLOWING MY SON'S UPPER BODY TO CONTINUE FORWARD UNTIL HIS FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LAP BELT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, HOLDING MY SON'S LOWER BODY IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10247134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THAT DID NOT PREVENT THEM FROM BEING THROWN TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DESTROYED AND THE FRONT BUMPER, BUMPER SUPPORT, RADIATOR AND SUPPORT, AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER, AND POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,756.
NHTSA complaint #10239844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE CONTACT SMELLED THE ODOR AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALER. CHRYSLER NOTIFIED FORD AND INFORMED THEM THAT THE AIR BAG MONITOR BURNED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. FORD STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG MONITOR. FORD ALSO ADVISED CHRYSLER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM, BUT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A REPORT AND STATED THAT IT WOULD BE SENT TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND A RESPONSE WOULD BE RECEIVED IN WRITING. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,808.
NHTSA complaint #10209062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FRONTAL SEAT BELT WEBBINGS DID NOT LOCK (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04E048000) AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEVERE STRAIN, SPRAIN, AND BRUISES TO HER CHEST AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,308. UPDATED 09/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10201045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I AM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT C.H.URNESS MOTOR CO IN THE DALLES,OR, I PURCHASED A 1997 FORD ESCORT FOR MY DAUGHTER ON 06/02/2007,THEN ON 06/04/2007,THE CAR HAD A FIRE UNDER THE DASH,UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND AN OPEN RECALL "02S44"FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE,I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER(RAY SCHULTENS FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER RELATIONS(CASE # 1433871927).ON 07/23/07 I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING "FORD MOTOR CO. WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME"THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT I SHOULD MAKE THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR AT "BUY IT BACK,AFTER ALL YOU WORK FOR THEM"THIS CAR HAS AN UNREPAIRED RECALL AND IS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO NO PARTS AVAILABLE,WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCESS?
NHTSA complaint #10197566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE PARKED HORN WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. OWNER HAD TAKEN FUSE OUT TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING. SPOKE TO DEALER & INFORMED SMALL PLASTIC PIECE HAD WORN AWAY BETWEEN HORN & AIR BAG MODULE. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS OBVIOUSLY A HAZARD (COULD POSSIBLY PREMATURELY ACTIVATE OR FAIL TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG). NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESS BY THE MANUFATURE TO MY KNOWLEDGE! OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NOT A FACTOR AT ALL, OCCURS ON HOT, COLD OR RAINY DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10195671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.