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1997 Ford Escort airbags problems

152 complaints (28% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,645. 45 crashes reported.

owner complaints
152
of this car's complaints
28%
typical mileage
94,645
crashes
45
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    63
  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    30
  • Side/window
    3
  • Frontal: driver side: inflator module
    1

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 Escort airbags problems in other years

199119931994199519961997199819992000200120022003

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford Escort airbags

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

Airbag light 33No deployment 14

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported December 9, 2002 · 396,217 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
Risk
This may, in turn, cause the air bag readiness light to illuminate and in very rare occurrences, air bag deployment, melted wiring, or fire may occur.
Remedy
Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began february 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 02V323000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Water intrusion into airbag monitorOpened June 10, 2002, closed December 11, 2002

By letter of december 6, 2002, ford notified the agency that it would conduct a safety recall on all 1997 ford escort and mercury tracer vehicles.ford found that electrical shorting of the integrated air bag monitor (iabm)due to liquid intrusion of water or engine coolant can occur in the subject vehicles.ford and lincoln mercury dealers will install a protective shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to it's electrical connector.see ford's december 6, 2002 defect and noncompliance information report for details.

EA02008

Integrated air bag monitor waterOpened January 30, 2002, closed June 10, 2002

PE02010

What 1997 Ford Escort owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 6, 2016 · Airbags · 65,000 miles · IL

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

Filed May 17, 2014 · Airbags · PA · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Jul 25, 2012 · Airbags · 161,000 miles · MS · fire

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Airbags, Electrical · 233,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2010 · Airbags · 81,152 miles · MD · crash · 2 injuries

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

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Airbags · 146,808 miles · CA · fire

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 26, 2007 · Airbags · 157,097 miles · OR · fire

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?

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Airbags, Electrical · 73,500 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 13, 2006 · Airbags, Visibility · 110,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated there was a recall for the vehicle, the federal safety agency # 02v323000, concerning the air bag sensor. However, the recall remedy did not correct the problem. The vehicle was parked at an independent repair shop. The technician noticed the windows fogging up and opened the driver side door. While inside looking at the gauges the air bag deployed. This pinned the technician between the seat and steering wheel. The deployment cracked the windshield. Upon inspection, the technician determined it is the same problem indicated in the recall. There was water accumulated in the integrated air bag monitor. *nm updated 3/1/2006 - the consumer still has the defective parts in her possession.

Filed Jun 20, 2005 · Airbags · 94,645 miles · FL

Dt: have a recall letter for air bag light, and took vehicle to dealership service dept to have it fixed. The number on the recall was 02s44, they supposedly fixed it, but went, and got in the vehicle and the light was flashing again. Hadn't even left the lot. Now they want to charge consumer to have it hooked up to a diagnostic machine .

Questions about the 1997 Ford Escort airbags

Does the 1997 Ford Escort have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 152 complaints about the airbags of the 1997 Ford Escort, 28% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1997 Ford Escort airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,645 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford Escort airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 02V323000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Escort have bad airbags?

The Ford Escort model years with the most airbags complaints are 1997 (152 complaints), 1998 (75 complaints) and 1995 (67 complaints).

Other 1997 Ford Escort problems

Electrical 114Engine 67Suspension 67Brakes 42Visibility 31Transmission 29Acceleration 28Steering 22Fuel system 16Lights 13Seat belts 12Tires 12Body 8Seats 7Locks 5Wheels 3

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