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1998 Ford Escort airbags problems

75 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 67 crashes reported.

owner complaints
75
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
67
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    59
  • Side/window
    2
  • Frontal: sensor/control 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 1998 Ford Escort airbags

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

No deployment 42

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Air bag non-deploymentOpened April 19, 2001, closed November 1, 2001

DP01001

What 1998 Ford Escort owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 29, 2008 · Airbags, Seat belts · 90,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Aug 26, 2008 · Airbags, Seat belts · 81,756 miles · PA · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Dec 28, 2006 · Airbags, Body · MA

Tl* - the contact stated horn has not worked properly since she purchased the vehicle. The vehicle currently has 31,000 miles. The contact took the vehicle to dealer for repairs, and was told that the airbag was defective , and that itwas causing the horn not to work. The horn has been replaced, but it still did not work. The contact stated the horn would just come on and would not stop. The contact removed the circuit breaker a few weeks ago, but now the service engine light will not turn off. The dealer checked the computer system and found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The driver's side front had a leak in the firewall. The contact had the leak repaired four times.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Airbags · MN · crash · 1 injury

Dt: the consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident, and the driver's side air bag deployed. When the airbag deployed it caused the consumer to be severally burned. The passenger side airbag did not deploy completely. This occurred on august 3, 2004. The consumer's vehicle hit a post. The vehicle was totaled. She no longer has the vehicle. A police report was taken. The manufacturer will not help the consumer. *ak

Filed Aug 18, 2005 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · MN · crash · 1 injury

Dt: the consumer states that the 1998 ford escort crashed into a light pole. The driver hit the pole and the air bag deployed and broke. The inside of the air bag sprayed the chemicals on the driver, the chemicals burnt her hands and arm. She said that she could not find a lawyer in her town to take case. The lawyers and the insurance company were working together against her. She said that she had a boil on her hand and a bruise on her chest. The consumer has pictures of the air bag. She wanted someone to reimburse her for the car because she lived in low income housing. She said vehicle was totaled and the junk dealer came and got it. And she did not get paid for it. A police report was taken.

Filed Mar 15, 2005 · Airbags, Seat belts · OH · crash · 1 injury

While driving approximately 20 MPH consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Upon impact, seat belts did not lock, and air bags did not deploy.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · CA · crash · 1 injury

While driving in inclement weather driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Vehicle hydro planed , and the driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, smashing into a concrete barrier. Upon impact, both airbags did not deploy. The driver refused medical attention on the scene, but went to the hospital later that day. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

Filed Jan 10, 2005 · Airbags · 110,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle is experiencing problems with the air bags. Owner was driving about 45 MPH on the highway and hit a parked vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Airbags · MA · crash · 1 injury

After striking a vehicle in front air bags did not deploy. Manufacturer was contacted. However, no response was received.

Filed Apr 28, 2004 · Airbags · OH · crash

While traveling 40 MPH on a gravel road consumer made an made a right turn and vehicle ran off the road into a guard rail. This caused extensive damage to the front of vehicle. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Escort airbags

Does the 1998 Ford Escort have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 75 complaints about the airbags of the 1998 Ford Escort, 20% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Escort airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Escort airbags?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

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 1998 Ford Escort problems

Suspension 50Engine 49Electrical 43Transmission 43Brakes 35Fuel system 22Seat belts 17Steering 17Visibility 16Acceleration 14Body 14Seats 9Tires 6Lights 3Locks 3

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