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2020 Ford Escape airbags problems

13 complaints (1% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 12,700. 10 crashes reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
12,700
crashes
10
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Escape airbags problems in other years

200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford Escape airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 7

Related recalls

Air bags: side/windowReported July 17, 2020 · 68 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S35.

Recall number 20V415000 · Recall details

What 2020 Ford Escape owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · TX

My air bag light is reporting - Your Air Bag Warning is on due to an issue with the front passenger air bag system. The front passenger airbag may not work properly. This light came on last week. This first appeared on 9/14. Also, I have another failure light reporting my seat belt is malfunctioning. First appeared 10/15. No one’s safety was put at risk yet. There were no warning messages, just indicator lights.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · OH

A nagging seat belt monitoring fault occurred with this vehicle. After researching this particular problem, I found that it is a well known issue to Ford (over several forums and owners websites), which is caused by a seat belt sensor. This fault comes up as a rear seat belt fault, but it is actually the driver's front seat belt sensor that is the problem. This fault causes the airbags to be turned off which poses a danger to any occupant in the vehicle if it is involved in an accident. This sensor has gone bad in hundreds of vehicle spanning over several different models and years.(this is taken directly from NHTS's metadata) The part number is LJ6Z-7861203-BC (specifically the left/front driver-side buckle end). It is used in the following vehicle models: Ford Escape: Model years 2020–2025 (including Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants). Ford Bronco Sport: Model years 2021–2025. Ford Maverick: Model years 2022–2025 (including Hybrid variants; specifically for units built from February 27, 2024, onwards as a direct replacement for earlier suffixes). Ford Mustang Mach-E: Model years 2021–2023.This part supersedes previous versions LJ6Z-7861203-AA, LJ6Z-7861203-BA, and LJ6Z-7861203-BB. Versions of parts are usually only superseded due to problems with the original part. Did the federal safety agency seriously never cross reference their own materials?

Filed May 20, 2026 · Airbags · 39,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact’s husband stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle unexpectedly cut in front of the vehicle, resulting in a collision. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. The contact stated that upon impact, the driver-side air bags failed to deploy; however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the collision occurred. A police report was filed, but the report number was unavailable. The contact’s husband did not receive immediate medical attention at the scene. The contact’s husband later sought treatment at an emergency room. The contact's husband suffered an chest and knee injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2025 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's seat air bags inadvertently deployed. As a result, the contact's attention was briefly diverted away from the roadway, causing her to collide with the rear of another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility, but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by and friend and treated for chest pain. Emergency room doctors performed various tests, including a X-ray and an EKG. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

The vehicle has two indicator lamp warnings. One warning for a rear seatbelt monitor fault and one warning for the driver's seatbelt monitor fault. When these seatbelt monitor faults occur the airbags throughout the vehicle are no longer operational. The safety risk of not having operational airbags is extremely high and puts all passengers at risk of serious harm or death. The vehicle is currently at a local Ford dealership undergoing diagnostic testing.

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Airbags · NJ · crash

My entire passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger present in car. The car has a sensor stating when someone is not there they should be off.

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · WA · crash

I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.

Filed May 9, 2023 · Airbags, Transmission · GA · crash

I was in an accident on March 18 around 10 pm eastern time. I was t-boned and the side air bag never deployed. I have also since had issues with my powertrain light coming on and the vehicle loosing power.

Filed Feb 9, 2023 · Airbags, Locks · 12,700 miles · NE · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained whiplash and neck pain. The contact had not sought medical attention. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the front driver's door, the door failed to open immediately. The contact then pushed the door with excessive force and it opened. The contact related the failure to Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2246. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's grand-son met her at the scene and assisted her with driving the vehicle to a nearby autobody center. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired for air bags and door failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,700.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

I was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck in Gallup, NM on 12/3/21. We hit the truck mid-section. Front of my Escape was pretty much destroyed. Our airbags did NOT deploy. Mine and my husbands safety was at risk due to the failure of the airbags to deploy in the crash. Vehicle is at the Ford Dealer in Gallup, NM waiting for State Farm to determine the next steps. I had no prior warnings or indications that the airbags were not functional.

Questions about the 2020 Ford Escape airbags

Does the 2020 Ford Escape have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2020 Ford Escape, 1% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2020 Ford Escape airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 12,700 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Escape airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V415000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Escape have bad airbags?

The Ford Escape model years with the most airbags complaints are 2002 (79 complaints), 2001 (63 complaints) and 2003 (60 complaints).

Other 2020 Ford Escape problems

Body 671Transmission 243Fuel system 201Electrical 160Engine 132Driver assistance 103Visibility 71Locks 54Brakes 45Acceleration 20Wheels 20Steering 18Seat belts 13Seats 9Suspension 9Lights 7Tires 7

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