2003 Ford Focus airbags problems

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Airbags · 267,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford focus. While the contact's husband was driving 60 MPH on the freeway, the vehicle began to hydroplane, crashed into a guardrail, and spun around. The vehicle came to a stop in the middle of a highway. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's husband sustained back injuries, facial bruising, and whiplash. The following day the driver sought medical attention for his injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where they refuse the contact to view/take photos of the vehicle unless a fee was paid. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 267,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2016 · Airbags · 20,262 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated when the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 01/26/2017*ct updated 7/13/18*jb

Filed May 21, 2015 · Airbags · 72,000 miles · IN

On feb 11, 2015 I was driving to go to the vet. I had not been down that road in about 6 months. I came upon an area that was a very bad chunk of road...patches over patches and very bumpy. Then all of a sudden my car tilted to the right and there was a loud bang. It took me a couple seconds to realize what had happened. My airbag on the passenger side (side airbag) had deployed. Scared me! I had no idea why it had gone off. But the car seemed to be driving ok still so I continued to the vet about 1-2 miles away. I wondered if a deer had hit the side of my car but when I got to the vet and checked my car, there was no damage to the side of my car. Since then I have read on the internet that others have had their airbags deploy when hitting a pothole. The next day I went back and took pictures of that area and a video.this was by a guardrail with a huge drop off on the side. I am lucky I didn't lose control of my car when the airbag exploded right next to me and possibly go through the guardrail and off of that steep drop off. Things could have been much worse. It was a very frightening situation and thank god, nobody was in that seat. I know exactly where it was on that road because when I looked over I saw a big white circle (didn't know what it was at first...thought my window had broken) and I saw the end of the guard rail where it angles down at the end. I was not speeding, or on the phone. Just driving down a county road and had $1700 worth of damage done to my car. I only have pl/pd on that car so my insurance won't cover it.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Airbags · 155,525 miles · VA

Airbag warning system light flashes on indicating possible failure or defective system but does not remain on. Light goes out about 1 hour or so of driving.

Filed Mar 27, 2013 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH over a pot hole, the air bags deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the air bag sensor was defective and both the driver's seat and the air bag needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2012 · Airbags · 129,200 miles · NY

While driving on the interstate at approx 70mph, I signaled my left turn signal. As I changed into the left lane, my driver's side airbag deployed for no reason. The driver's side window was open so some seat foam and smoke exited the vehicle and made contact with the vehicle behind me. I pulled over and the other driver stopped to see what happened and checked to see if I was okay. I was able to continue home.

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 80,000 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side and the contact's vehicle spun around. The air bags did not deploy and the front driver's seat belt did not restrain the contact. The contact sustained bruises, contusions, a tear to her spine, a broken rib, and heart problems as a result of the impact to her chest. In addition, the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash was injured. A police report of the incident was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was declared destroyed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Airbags · 58,400 miles · NC

Was traveling at 65mph on the highway when driver side airbag deployed for no reason. There was no impact. Dealership has been contacted. At this time there has been no resolution.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford focus. The contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated and as a result the horn was inoperable. The dealer informed the contact that the clockspring was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage was approximately 76,000. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · WA · crash

On 8/1/2011, going 40mph I hit a deer. The whole hood of my car is pushed in,my radiator is pushed in, I cannot open the hood, the deer is dead and both of the airbags failed to deploy. However my airbag deployment light did come on. What a defect. At 10 MPH I could possible understand but at 40 MPH, I bought the car brand new in 2003 for safety, now even if it were fixed I would be scared to drive it.