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Ford Escort no deployment problems

154 of the 3,480 owner complaints about the Ford Escort describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 1998 model year.

owner complaints
154
worst model year
1998
typical mileage
81,756
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed May 17, 2012 · Airbags · TX · crash · 2 injuries

1999 ford escort,had a wreck and the car was totaled out by insurance adjuster,the airbags did not deploy and even the insurance adjuster stated wow the airbags didn't even deploy. Me and my girlfriend were injured and went to the emergency room and have not been able to work since october 2011 and have over 100,000 dollars alone in medical bills and still have to have surgery. Airbags should have worked like they were installed to do. I called and spoke with someone at your location and she said that there wasn't a recall yet,but they have had several complaints about the same thing. I did not know how to fill out the information about the equipment. My complaint is that the airbags did not deploy or work when we had a accident in which the car was totaled out and we were in a 1999 ford escort.

Filed May 6, 2010 · Airbags · 132,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 1999 ford escort. While driving 40-45 MPH, the consumer was involved in a crash and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police and ambulance appeared on the scene and one of the vehicle occupants was reported injured. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The failure and current mileages were 132,000. Updated 10/19/10

Filed Aug 14, 2009 · Airbags · 162,353 miles · CA · crash

I was in a accident on the 105fwy west, going between 15-25 MPH in moderate morning traffic. I hit the back of a car, slammed my face against the steering wheel, and severely damaged my front hood, bumper and engine, which has been totaled out! My air bags failed to deploy! Its a 2001 ford escort, never been in a accident, and I have neck, back, and severe jaw pain.

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 Aug 28, 2007 · Airbags, Seat belts · 104,308 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. While driving between 30-35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash on the front passenger side. The frontal seat belt webbings did not lock (the federal safety agency campaign id number 04e048000) and the front air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered severe strain, sprain, and bruises to her chest and neck. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 104,308. Updated 09/12/07

Filed Aug 11, 2006 · Airbags · 75,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Airbags · 73,000 miles · TN · crash

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.

Filed May 31, 2006 · Airbags, Fuel system · 8,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated while stopped, the vehicle was rear ended. The other vehicle was going 45-55 MPH. When this occurred the fuel system did not shut off, the airbags did not deploy, and the seat belts did not retract. The entire rear end of the vehicle was crushed; the contents of the trunk struck the contact causing minor injuries. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the rear end was replaced.

Filed Mar 6, 2006 · Airbags, Locks · ND · crash · 1 injury

I had an accident in east grand forks, minnesota on 02/28/06 I was going north on 5th ave n.e. And t-boned the other vehicle traveling westbound on 10th st n.e. They failed to stop at a stop sign. My air bags did not deploy all the way out they popped out of the steering wheel and dash on the passenger side but the air bag layed in my lap after the accident and vehicles came to a rest I still heard the air bags trying to inflate on impact my drivers door also flew open and my seat belt on the drivers side did not lock I was the only person in the vehicle.

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

Air bags: frontalReported November 10, 1994 · 240 vehicles affected
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: frontalReported October 11, 1994 · 29,000 vehicles affected
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 no deployment

Which Ford Escort years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1998 (42 complaints), 1999 (33 complaints) and 1995 (25 complaints).

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