Horn does not blow. Was told by a mechanic that problem was a defective air bag.
1997 Ford Escort airbags complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 152, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Airbag light is flashing when vehicle is cool, not when vehicle is hot. *ak
On april 17 my 1997 ford escort was involved with flying road debris on the interstate. A piece of tire was thrown by the vehicle ahead of me into my bumper cover. What would have started out as a minor scratch in the bumper turned into a broken windshield and two blown airbags, which assisted in no way. They caused burns on the arms and created a driving hazard on the road in which I ended up in the median trying to take evasive action. I feel these airbags should not have exploded in this incident. No contact was made with another vehicle to create such conditions for the airbags to deploy. The airbag deployment was too sensitive. Could you please investigate whether other incidents of this nature have occurred? Has any type of recall been warranted with premature airbag deployment? Potential for injuries were tremendous in this incident. I appreciate any assistance in this matter.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway, and while driving another vehicle made a sudden stop and without prior warning she ran into the back of driver's vehicle. Driverside airbag didn't go off fully, but passenger side airbag broke of window of door. Dealership was aware of problem.
Air bags deployed while driving with no warning and no collision or impact to the sensors for the air bags, both drivers and passenger bags went off and also had broken the windshield.
Horn stuck, does not turn off. To replace, dealer must replace airbag also. Says airbag may malfunction because horn malfunctioned. About 7 similar problems are listed on this web site. This is a safety feature and a malfunction in the horn shouldn't cause problems in the airbag. Plus, it's not a wear and tear item that's wrong with the car. Had a problem with the horn while the car was under warranty and the dealer did not catch this problem with the horn/airbag. Isn't this a safety issue that could put passengers at risk. Who would guess that a problem with the horn may lead to a deployment problem with the airbag?
While traveling noticed a half inch drop in road. Consumer drove slowly over the drop without any indication that consumer's air bag deployed. Please provide further informaton.
Vehicle is experiencing erratic operation of horn. Horn will go off without consumer engaging it. Dealership is replacing airbag as well as horn to fix this. Please provide any additional information.
The heater core leaked onto the air bag diagnostic module, causing it to short out and catch on fire. This item was replaced along with the heater core for a cost of $955.00. I had to remove the battery cable to keep the car from catching on fire and burning up, the service manager at stegall ford in pontotoc stated I should not have this problem again because the new part was sealed in plastic. I believe this is a serious design flaw after looking at your odi id logs of 865884,867236,845896 and 845837 along with numerous air bag deployments for this model car for no reason. I believe this part was changed by ford and should have been recalled on all models. I work as a design engineer and if an electrical item is subject to moisture injestion, it should be sealed or potted to eliminate shorts and failure. The placement of this module under the heater core was wrong, I notified ford and they only apoligized for the heater core leak, they did not acknowlege anything about the air bag module, I again notified them that they should be responsible for payment on this item, since the design had been changed, they have not replied to this in over a week, stating it would only take 3 days for a reply. To me this is a serious issue, I have worked in the past under fda guidelines in the medical industry with reporting and I do not like the way this is being handled by ford, they are acting like they are trying to hide something, a persons life or personal injury is not something to sweep under the rug, although no one in my family sustained any injury, they could have, I will now try to sell this car as soon as I am able. Thank you jeffrey l plunk
The horn was inoperative and making a clicking noise when it is applied, the dealer found that the horn switch was stuck on part of the air bag, dealer replaced horn and drivers side air bag. Nlm
In oct of 1998 horn started to activate and won't stop unless driver unplugged it, consumer was out of an airbag and horn for a month, consumer sa0id thatcurrently problem was back, and dealer wastrying to charge consumer $700.00 to fix this problem.
While parked with no passengers both air bags deployed without reason. Dealer has been contacted.
Consumer was traveling about 45mph on a side road and struck a deer. Airbags inflated at this time, and consumer was blinded . There was smoke dust everywhere. When driver's side airbag went off, airbag broke his wrist.
Consumer noticed that airbag light was flashing on the dash panel wednesday night. Then, next day the light was still flashing, and vehicle started smoking. She had vehicle parked, then she got inside of vehicle. Turned vehicle on, and it started smoking. Had moved the panel, and noticed that fire was comming from there. Another vehicle had a fre extinguisher, and put fire out. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Mechanic told her that it would take $1300 75 to fix vehicle.
While driving about 35 MPH both air bags suddenly deployed without a prior warning, nor hitting anything.
Both driver & passenger airbags deployed & shattering passenger side window from the force of the airbag deployment, talked to dealer & airbags knocked out the clock spring, monoitor, dash assembly, dash frame bucket & sensors.
While traveling noticed air bag indication light flashing. Then, stopped the next day and indication light flashed. Also, cooling indication light came on. Consumer parked vehicle and air bags deployed. Please provide further information.
Onsumer was driving on the street and making a left turn when a bus veered into her vehicle, and hit vehicle from the back. Consumer lost control of vehicle, and ran into a utility pole,and neither driver's nor passenger's airbags deployed.
Air bag sensor light continually blinked. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that the malfunction may be due to a bad clock spring, and repairs would be at consumer's cost.
Vehicle was struck from the driver side and forced into a concrete pillar at 22 MPH impact, and both air bags failed to deploy.
Consumer is 4ft 8in and is concern with the air bags because she sit close to the steering wheel. Nlm
Vehicle was involved in multiple freeway car collision. Up impact estimated at 30 MPH, air bag on driver's side failed to deploy. ( passenger's side air bag did deploy). Dealer notified.
Vehicle was at a standstill when both driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed without a cause. Also, air bag light was illuminating on dashboard, and an odor appeared in the vehicle prior to air bag deployment. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.
The horn will start to blow by itself without anyone in the car or without the car being started. Fuse has to be taken out in order to stop the horn. Dealer had to replace the horn and the airbag.
While driving on a ramp vehicle was involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy, and the seatbelts did not lock up. Please provide any futher information.
While driving in a residential street hit a dog, and air bags deployed on both driver's and passenger's sides. Passenger's side air bag busted the front window, and consumer's hand was burned badly.
05/25/1999; while driving at 35 MPH, the head gasket on engine "blew out" car was undriveable. On 07/15/1999; the horn started honking continuously on it's own, when car was parked & locked. Had to remove fuse to shut off. Dealer said it was a bad air-bag module, not covered by warranty, cost $ 675.00. 07/25/99, crankshaft pulley broke off, car not driveable. I note 4 other reports on this web-site for the crankshaft pulley, and 1 each for the head-gasket & horn/airbag problems + many other airbag problems.
On nov.24,1998 vehicle experienced collision that causing violent deployment of airbag, resulting in injury to drivers left hand.
While driving at 35mph the airbags deployed. Vehicle was not involved in a collision. Manufacturer and dealer have been notified.
Vehicle was at a stop light all of a sudden both air bags deployed. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that it was caused was by water intruding on circuit board module located under driver seat. Repairs were made, but water still kept entering. Consumer believed the problem was due to A/C condensation. Dealer notified and refused to correct problem, knowing this can cause the air bags to deploy again. Seeking the federal safety agency help inthis matter.
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