Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||||
| 042612 | 12/31/2004 | 10014302 | Side air bag diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1994 or b1998. *tt | 04/29/2005 | |
| 18280 | 11/01/2004 | 10013422 | Air bag warning lamp on . *eh | 04/18/2005 | |
| 18284 | 11/01/2004 | 10013426 | High airflow from defroster vents when in floor or floor defrost modes. *eh | 04/18/2005 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 05/01/2012 | 13300 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 ford escape xlt. the contact was traveling 35 mph when the air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 133,000 and the current mileage was 133,400. rds | |||
| 02/18/2009 | 35000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph and the srs warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the wiring harness was replaced. most recently, the malfunction recurred. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 35,000. | |||
| 02/18/2009 | 35000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact was driving approximately 40 mph and the srs warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the wiring harness was replaced. most recently, the malfunction recurred. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 35,000. sm. | |||
| 02/18/2009 | 35000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact was driving approximate ly 40 mph and the srs warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the wiring harness was replaced. most recently, the malfunction recurred. the manufacturer was not notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 35,000. js | |||
| 10/08/2011 | 86000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated the air bags light illuminates and there was a constant beeping sound in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who ran a diagnostic test and there was a code#b1869 stating the wiring harness for the driver and passenger seats and body harnesses needed to be replaced. this would be an expense of $686 to the contact. the manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 86,000. | |||
| 10/08/2011 | 86000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated the air bags light illuminates and there was a constant beeping sound in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who ran a diagnostic test and there was a code#b1869 stating the wiring harness for the driver and passenger seats and body harnesses needed to be replaced. this would be an expense of $686 to the contact. the manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 86,000. kmj | |||
| 11/17/2011 | |||
| Airbag warning light repeatedly flashes warning code#47. lic mech can clean connector contacts and reset computer code but if won't reset, bag(s) may not deploy. mech advises prob is well known occurance w/ 1999-2005 ford escapes. codes#46/47 (drivers seat/rt frt passenger seat) appearing as a result of original equipment defective wiring harnesses for airbag/pretensioner seat belt system. only fix if light stays on and can't be reset is to replace wire harnesses; cost $550+ (must remove seats, pull up carpet to gain access to harness and replace same) . nhtsa investigated issue in 1999 (action# sq99026 nov.'99-may.-2000) but closed case with no further action. internet inquiry indicates large number of complaints about above and also failure of airbag deployment in accidents. internet indicates issue involves mazda tributes also as ford associated with mazda and uses same harness and system. ford appparently has a replacement harness to fix problem but owners must pay for part and labor as ford doesn't acknowledge defective orignal equipment. | |||
| 02/18/2011 | 136000 | ||
| We have a 2003 ford escape the airbag light has came on and went off spuratically in the past 3 years but went out. this time it has stayed on so we took it to the ford dealer and they said the seat belt wiring harness on both the front seats was bad and if there was an accident the air bag might not deploy the vehicle has never been in water so there is no reason for the wires to be bad other then they where inadequate to begin with. they saied to fix it they would have to take out the seats pull the carpet back and replace the harnesses | |||
| 10/25/2009 | 56900 | 1 | |
| Aug 2007- air bag warning light came on. dealership found defect in driver/passenger air bag circuit located under front seats (dtc code - d1990/d1994). replaced connectors & harness($490). suggested cause was motion of adjusting power seat. now, oct 2009 (mileage - 85,000) air bag warning light is on again. first flashing, then off for a few days, then solidly on again. is this circuit located in a place where it shouldn't be? is this why there are complaints about escape air bags not opening in a crash? can someone check out the location of the wiring for this circuit? is it causing air bag failure in escapes? do we need deaths? has ford made changes in the new escapes? *tr | |||
| 07/21/2009 | 63899 | 1 | |
| Purchased 2003 ford escape 04/05/08. air bag light came on a week later returned vehicle for other minor fixes was told light was not important as the bags would not deploy. during oil change on 12/08 told ford service dept. again about air bag light same answer. also inform them about car shaking was told it was because i waited too long for oil change. took vehicle in for oil change 07/08/09 was refused vehicle told it was dangerous for me to drive found rt front lower balljoint loose in steering knuckle worn out steering knuckle need to replace both lower ball joints and rt front steering knuckle probably cause of why vehicle was shaking and would cost about $1700 and were not sure if extended warranty would cover. they were rude and i broke down. this car has had the shakes since i bought it. i finally took my vehicle home to bring it back the next day. i picked it up on the 15th once ford stated all repairs were completed vehicle was road tested and engine light was gone except they did nothing for the air bags. this shop is 12.07 miles from my home approx halfway through the engine light came on and the car started shaking between 45 and 50mph. i called them when i got home gave me another appointment different diagnostic. no one in this shop can tell me if any recalls have been done on this vehicle. i have a handicap daughter who gets her medical care at the veterans administration hospital an hour away. i need a safe vehicle. my family cannot afford another car. these people never give me a straight answer and put down whatever they want on their invoices. this shop is run by a husband and wife team no one cares if my vehicle is safe they just want to make money off of us. can you please help me find out what has been corrected on my vehicle vin . thank you very much. *tr | |||
| 02/25/2009 | 100321 | 1 | |
| I have a 03 ford escape, and the trouble is endless. the car will not start at times and it is a strong smell of gas when this happens. i have had it in and out of the shop about 6 times and has had the car for only 2 years. the failure to start is scary because you don't know if the car is going to explode or what. the dealership tells me that it is a sensor that goes out and tells the car it doesn't have to start. been replaced 6 times and the other day it did it again. i hate to go out of town because of the fear of getting stranded on the highway. and another thing the smell of the engine is crazy my daughter has asthma and talking about a problem for her it is. i can go to work and go back 30 minutes later to my car and you can tell that it is still smelling of course where i got it from they told me that it was no concern it was due to the fact of them dropping oil when they did a change, come on people 2 months later. i fear that one day it will explode i just pray to god that my family is not in there. the airbag light will not go off and from reading in here i am scared to death. something really needs to be done about this problem before some family loses a member. *tr | |||
| 10/11/2008 | 1 | ||
| Problem with air bag light, take by to dealer on numbers time (5) . every two weeks for the time of purchase (10/11/2008) can't seem to get it right the dealer stated the bag won't work when need. *tr | |||
| 05/15/2007 | 4 | 08/14/2003 | |
| The air bag light goes on. some times it will remain on and sometimes it will flash. i had the air bag module replaced ($600) and it was ok for 2 months and started to happen again. the problem went away and has since reappeared. i have searched the internet and found alot of other escape owners who are having the same issues. i believed that this is a safety issue and should be look at.*cn | |||
| 03/29/2007 | 1 | 08/08/2003 | |
| I own a 2003 ford escape up to now i have not had any problems i guess knock on wood i have been lucky. lately the airbag light started blinking and then it stays on. from reading some of the complaints there might be several reasons as to why this happens. i have read that there are many people having this same problem, maybe ford should take the first step and recall the vehicles to get this fixed. *jb | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| Customer wants to know if air bags for 2003 ford escape have been recalled. **cc the air bag light blinks on then off. consumer not sure what this indicates. *nm | |||
| 11/10/2006 | 12000 | 2 | 08/31/2002 |
| We recently hit a deer going in between 45 50 miles per hour. and the air bags never went off. i was wondering why they didn't there is several thousands dollars in damage. *nm | |||
| 06/08/2006 | 5 | 02/01/2003 | |
| Vehicle has been to the ford dealership 5 times because the air bag light will illuminate and stay on. when the air bag light is on, the air bags will not deploy. the problem has been a faulty connector to the front air bags (3 times), the side airbags (1 time) and the seat belt sensor (1 time). the last incident was after the warranty expired and it was a struggle getting ford to pay for the repair. lesson learned: document everything and contact a lawyer before the warranty expires. *nm | |||
| 11/01/2003 | 8000 | 838 | 11/01/2003 |
| The air bag light is on 98% of the time. i took it to a ford dealer and they said that this is a ford problem, that ford is working on it and that there is nothing that can be done to correct the problem. they stated that the air bags will not function when the air bag light is on. on a rare occasion the light will go out. *jb | |||
| 01/27/2006 | 85800 | 1 | 07/16/2004 |
| Air bag light would sporadically come on. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the problem was found in the front seat belt buckles, the sensors and wires that help deploy the air bags were defective. n case of an accident the air bags would have not deployed. the dealer repaired all the seat belt buckles. *nm | |||
| 04/03/2004 | 22855 | 5 | 11/02/2002 |
| Dt: the air bag light illuminated which indicated that the air bags were disengaged. this is the second time the vehicle has been taken to the dealer in one week.. fifth time total. the dealer said they will fix it by fixing a broken wire or resetting the computer. manufacturer said they will try to fix it. *ak *nm | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 50269 | 1 | |
| Ltr to ford concerning a safety defect re defective wiring of the side airbags in 2003 ford escape. *bf the consumer received the recall notice for the faulty air bag wiring. an appointment was made at the dealer to have the vehicle repaired. when the repairs were made the dealer refused to cover the cost of replacing the faulty wiring because the vehicle was 200 miles over the 50000 mile warranty. the consumer explained that the vehicle went over the mileage while waiting for the recalled part to arrive. *nm | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 04/24/2010 | 97000 | ||
| I owned a 2003 escape and had a head on accident in which the air bags did not go off. not sure why there has not been a recall one the air bags with so many people having the same problem. air bag light never came on or gave me any problem | |||
| 04/25/2010 | 91366 | 1 | |
| On 4/25/2010 i had a person run an intersection causing me to hit them. my air bags did not go off like they should have. my front bumper and grill were pushed all the way to the engine causing engine damage as well. i have heard of others doing the same thing. i drove a 2003 ford escape xlt. it was totaled in the crash. i was wearing my seat belt which was the only thing that keep me safe. i still got hurt with a hurt neck and back. *tr | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 50500 | ||
| A wiring harness for the airbag/safety restraint system in my 2003 ford escape frequently has problems causing the airbag light to illuninate -- and according to ford the airbag is disabled. i have had this problem off and on since approximately 2005. ford is aware that this model year has problems with this wiring harness and issued a technical bulletin that owners must replace the harness. if wiring harness is faulty and causes airbags to disable, shouldn't this be a safety recall instead of a techincal bulletin for consumers to repair at thier own expense? | |||
| 10/11/2008 | 1 | ||
| Problem with air bag light, take by to dealer on numbers time (5) . every two weeks for the time of purchase (10/11/2008) can't seem to get it right the dealer stated the bag won't work when need. *tr | |||
| 12/28/2008 | 73698 | 1 | |
| Problem: vehicle is beeping warning beeps from cluster area, electrical system. airbag light/beeper keeps going off, just paid ford dealer $595.20 to replace wiring harnesses to both front seats and both body harnesses for code b1869, removed instrument cluster and replaced bad bulb for air bag system, clear all codes and road test 3 miles. i googled this problem with ford escapes, seems to be an overall problem with electrical airbag wiring. *tr | |||
| 06/26/2007 | 118754 | 1 | 06/07/2003 |
| Beginning in april 2007, my 2003 ford escape xlt (current mileage 118754) experienced an intermittent problem with the air bag warning light. if the power driver's seat had been moved, then the light would appear and flash on the instrument panel for a period of time, then disappear without any action taken. this series of event happened 2-3 times between april - june, 2007. the last time the problem surfaced was june 25, 2007. the light was flashing when i started my vehicle on june 26, 2007. approximately 5 minutes after starting my vehicle on that date, i was stopped at an intersection when a truck approaching from my left lost its trailer. the trailer crashed into the front driver's side of my vehicle at approximately 60 miles per hour. none of the air bags within my vehicle deployed. my vehicle sustained severe damage to the front end. although no injuries were sustained as a result of this accident, i believe that an impact of this force into my front bumper should have deployed my front air bags, and that the failure to deploy can be attributed to the faulty sensor on my instrument panel. | |||
| 06/04/2006 | 34000 | 1 | 10/15/2002 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 mph on normal road conditions, the vehicle had a collision with another vehicle. the airbags did not deploy. the seat belts were worn however the contact was injured with a sternum fracture. a police report was filed at the scene of the accident. the fire department evacuated the driver to the nearest hospital. the vehicle was taken to a body shop but they were not able to determine why the airbags and seat belts failure occurred. | |||
| 10/10/2005 | 69000 | 1 | 01/02/2004 |
| 2003 ford escape was involved in a collision, the front end received massive damage. my complaint is that the air bag did not deploy. my daughter was driving , hit her head. the police officer on the scene made the statement that the airbag should have deployed. the car is at the auto shop for estimate, as of 10-10-05 the estimate has hit 9300.00, with more expected. *nm | |||
| 06/06/2005 | 1 | ||
| Potential safety defect in the 2003 ford escape.*mr the consumer was involved in an accident and the airbag failed to deploy. the consumer did not state if he was injured. *jb | |||
| 08/24/2004 | 6 | 09/01/2003 | |
| The consumer was involved in a rear end collision in his 2003 ford escape. upon impact the air bags did not deploy. *nm prior to the accident, the vehicle was taken to the dealer on 6 six occasions because the air bag light illuminated. *jb | |||
| 11/10/2004 | 25 | 1 | 06/17/2003 |
| My wife, donna p. wright, was involved in an accident on 12/10/2004 at approx. 7:15 am on marriottsville road # 2 in eldersburg, md. the accident involved our 2003 ford escape and ford f350 truck pulling a trailer with a bobcat heavy equipment. it was raining heavily at the time. the ford truck was approaching a curve when its trailer jacknifed and hit my wife's ford escape head on. according to the body shop owner who towed our car, the frame was bent in two feet. there was extensive damage to the engine, bumper, hood, radiator and bumper. the car was totaled. however, the airbags did not deeply. fortunately, my wife escaped with minor injuries (cuts and bruises). i immediately notified ford motor company consumer relations. their response was that if i wanted to determine what caused the airbags not to deploy, that i would have to take the vehicle to a ford dealership and pay for the test of the sensor. i find that rather ridiculous.*jb | |||
| 08/24/2004 | 50842 | 6 | 09/01/2002 |
| The consumer was involved in an accident yet the vehicle's air bags did not deploy. the consumer sustained a sprained neck and hematoma caused by the seat belt. *nm the consumer took the vehicle in for service due to the airbag light intermittently coming on and eventually staying on. consumer suffered injuries to the neck as a result of the air bag not deploying. police report was taken. consumer was taken to the hospital by ambulance. *tc | |||
| 02/23/2004 | 9000 | 1 | |
| While driving between 35 to 40 mph vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. driver wore a seat belt. *ak | |||
| 06/27/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving about 55 mph another vehicle jump in front of the consumers vehicle. the consumers vehicle veered off the road onto the shoulder, hit an embankment and flipped three times. the driver side air bag didn't deploy. *nlm | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | |||
| 10/16/2007 | 82629 | 2 | 06/28/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the air bag light illuminated because the seat belt pretension code was faulty. the front air bags fail to deploy when in a crash. on october 16, 2007, the contact took her vehicle to the dealer because of a beeping sound and they replaced the instrument panel and ignition switch. when she retrieved her vehicle, the air bag light was still illuminated. the failure has occurred since february of 2007. the dealer informed her that the repair for the air bag sensor was her responsibility. the current and failure mileages were 82,629. | |||
| 02/05/2007 | 48000 | 1 | 09/01/2003 |
| The airbag light was illuminated on the dashboard of our 2003 ford escape. i took it to the dealer and was informed that the sensor under the passenger seat was defective and must be replaced. the cost quoted was $450. i then did an internet search and found several hundred similar complaints. i also found two different ford technical service bulletins, which clearly indicates that ford knows this is a problem. on another site a technician from a ford dealership stated that the problem could simply be fixed by spraying the contact points with an electrical contact cleaner such as wd40. i took the vehicle back to the dealer and told them to follow this procedure and the problem has not returned in the past 8 months. *tr | |||
| 08/07/2007 | 63000 | 1 | 03/06/2003 |
| My airbag light had been coming on, and after several weeks it stayed on constantly. i took my vehicle to the dealership where it was purchased to have it checked. i was told that the connector under the passenger seat for the side mount air bag needed replacing. i was also informed that if this was not repaired, the airbag may not deploy if needed! i asked if there had been any other complaints made to ford on this issue and was told that they were not aware of any. i feared for the safety of anyone that might be a passenger in my vehicle if it should be involved in an accident, so i went ahead with the repair. i voiced my dissatisfaction with the cost of the repair and was told that all i could do about it was call the manufacturer. this part cost $36.49 and $210 for the labor. *tr | |||
| 07/23/2007 | 65000 | 1 | 04/30/2007 |
| The air bag light came on in our 2003 ford escape. we have taken it to a ford dealership who informed us that the sensor has failed for no apparent reason and that if we are in an accident, the air bags will not deploy. the cost for this repair is quoted at approximately $500.00. at this point we are not in a financial position to make this repair and we are forced to drive the vehicle and hope that we will not have an accident. this is clearly a safety issue. there has been no prior warning nor any accident that would cause this failure. *tr | |||
| 06/26/2007 | 118754 | 1 | 06/07/2003 |
| Beginning in april 2007, my 2003 ford escape xlt (current mileage 118754) experienced an intermittent problem with the air bag warning light. if the power driver's seat had been moved, then the light would appear and flash on the instrument panel for a period of time, then disappear without any action taken. this series of event happened 2-3 times between april - june, 2007. the last time the problem surfaced was june 25, 2007. the light was flashing when i started my vehicle on june 26, 2007. approximately 5 minutes after starting my vehicle on that date, i was stopped at an intersection when a truck approaching from my left lost its trailer. the trailer crashed into the front driver's side of my vehicle at approximately 60 miles per hour. none of the air bags within my vehicle deployed. my vehicle sustained severe damage to the front end. although no injuries were sustained as a result of this accident, i believe that an impact of this force into my front bumper should have deployed my front air bags, and that the failure to deploy can be attributed to the faulty sensor on my instrument panel. | |||
| 03/10/2007 | 36000 | 30 | |
| I've read online several others that have had problems with the air bag light in the 2003 ford escape. my air bag light goes on and stays on about 2ce a week. *jb | |||
| 09/20/2006 | 48156 | 4 | 12/05/2003 |
| Tl* - the contact stated that while driving 35 mph in 2003 ford escape noticed on 09/20/06 that air bag light on the dash board turned on. the contact stated that she did have a passenger in the seat at that time. as per owners manual directions, the contact took vehicle to dealership who performed some type of repair and charged the consumer $100. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer on 10/28/06 for the same failure. the contact went back to the dealership and they told her that they did see that the light was turning on and off, and they told her that they were going to grease the cable. the contact was not sure which cable they were talking about. the vehicle was driven for 3 more weeks when the same failure occurred. she took vehicle in to dealership again and they found nothing wrong , but the light didn't come back on for another 3 weeks. the failure occurred again and the vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the dealership greased the same cable and told the contact that the cable is under vehicle code #1877. the contact stated that on 11/27/06 the vehicle's air bag light on the dash stayed on while driving. *ak updated 1/22/2007 - the consumer was told not to worry about the light and that and that the air bas was working properly. he went on to say that he believes the problem is with the light itself. *nm | |||
| 08/03/2006 | 40000 | 1 | 07/03/2005 |
| I purchased my vehicle with 38,000 miles on it. within the first 2 months the airbag light started flashing and sometimes staying on sometimes going off. after about 2 to 3 months it went off and stayed off for another couple of months. eventually it started coming on again and is now staying on the majority of the time. i am a little concerned about this because i don't know if my airbag is working when the light is on. *jb | |||
| 10/18/2005 | 31000 | 60 | 04/16/2005 |
| Dt:the contact states the air bag light came on intermittently. the light can came on at any time while the vehicle was being driven. once the light was on it stayed on until the vehicle was no longer in use. the vehicle was taken to the dealer ,and they could not duplicate the problem, therefore , the vehicle has not been repaired. *ak | |||
| 07/05/2004 | 7 | ||
| The air bag check light remained on, and had been repaired 6 times, but the problem recurred. owner was informed that the air bag may not deploy if her vehicle was involved in an accident.*ak | |||