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.
Ford Escort airbag light comes on
60 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 60
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 94,500
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 5Stalling 4No deployment 4Won't start 1Hesitation 1
What owners say
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign id number: 94v218000 (air bags:frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 115,404.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was in an idle position a smell of smoke was observed coming from underneath the dashboard. Upon inspection, the engine fuse box was found to be burnt. Before the smoke erupted, the airbag light illuminated for a few seconds and then blinked once. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who determined that the condensation from the evaporator case may have dripped onto the airbag diagnostic monitor or wiring harness. The dealer refused to perform a second remedy repair under recall # 02s44. The manufacurer was contacted however they confirmed the dealer's consensus.
Dt*: the contact stated the airbags did not deploy in an accident causing the driver to hit and fracture the windshield at 35 MPH. The accident was a rear end collision. The driver was wearing a seatbelt. The airbag warning light was not on prior to the crash. Pictures were available and a police report was taken.
Dt*: the contact stated that the front driver air bag did not deploy in a head-on collission that occurred while driving 42 MPH. There was pre-impact braking, the seat belt was worn and the airbag warning light was not illuminated prior to the crash. There were no injuries to the driver. The service dealer have not yet determined the damages on the vehicle.
This is pertaining to a 1997 ford escort, VIN [xxx] 1. My heater core developed a leak 2. I had the heater core repaired at the dealership--in the service ticket they noted "air bag light will be on. Coolant damaged air bag monitor will need to be replaced" (prior to this, the air bag monitor appeared to be working--I.e. The dash light showed normal operation.) since they had already put the dash back on and I was told that it would cost about $800 to take it back off and replace the monitor, I waited until I had both the money and time. 3. I received a recall notice (02s44): this was to have a shield placed over the air bag monitor to prevent damage from water and other liquids. 4. I took the car in for the recall repair and informed them of the fact that the damage had already occurred but was told that the recall only covered putting in a shield and not the repair of the damage. 5. I called ford motor company asking them to repair the damage that occurred prior to the recall at no cost to me but I was informed that they will only install a shield to prevent future damage. (that seems to me like closing the barn door after the animals have left). *nm updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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 .
Air bag light illuminated. Consumer had the problem before. Contacted the ford dealer, but problem recurred.
Consumer receive recall notice 02-s44 replacement of air bags . Dealer failed to repair the recall. Consumer informed mechanic that the SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer stated that the light was not on before recall repairs were done. Service manager tammy.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- 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
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- The driver side air bag module can have an inadequately welded inflator canister.
- Risk
- In the event of a collision, the weld seam can separate, causing the air bag to fail to deploy properly and hot gases to be expelled from the back of the steering wheel. This can result in an increased risk of personal injury from the hot gases and the air bag failure.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new air bag module.
Recall number 94V218000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Two bolts that attach the passenger side air bag supplemental restraint system module to the instrument panel are missing. In the event of a frontal impact, the module can come out of the instrument panel.
- Risk
- This would not restrain the passenger and would result in an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install and torque to specification the mounting bolts for the passenger side air bag.
Recall number 94V197000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Escort airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Ford Escort?
Owners who report it most often also describe fire, smoke or burning smell, engine stalls while driving and airbags did not deploy in a crash.
Which Ford Escort years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (33 complaints), 1994 (12 complaints) and 1995 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Ford Escort?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford Escort?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history