Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | ||||||
| DP01001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/19/2001 | 11/01/2001 | AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT | ||
| This petition alleges that the frontal air bags do not deploy during frontal impact | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | |||
| 03/13/2010 | 132000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle 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. | |||
| 12/05/2009 | 99000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford escort. while driving 35 mph he rear-ended another vehicle. the vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. the dealer nor the manufacturer has been contacted. the cause of the failure was unknown. the failure and current mileages were 99,000. | |||
| 08/04/2000 | 8000 | 1 | 03/01/2000 |
| 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. | |||
| 12/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| I just want to complain that i feel ford motor co. should offer a subsidie for owners of 1999 ford escort zx 2 automobiles for the addition of disengagment switches for their front passenger side air bags devices. i am aware that newer models come equipped with this feature. i was advised by ford motor co. that they actually encourage people to make this addition to their cars for safety purposes. i contacted my local ford dealership and was told by the serviceperson that in the ten years he or anyone working there had never performed a switch addition i asked him if it would be expensive and he said probably yes and that he would call ford and see exactly what could be done. he said he would call me back. he has never called back. i have three kids and there is only two seatbelts in the back. i want to be able to let my eleven year old ride in the front, but i am afraid of the airbag. now that it is standard(switches) on the 2001 and newer cars i feel there should be some cost shared by ford motor co. in performing this upgrade. i feel it should be a recall for this addition. *nm | |||
| 03/29/2005 | 1 | ||
| Both air bags inadvertently deployed on the highway while driving at 65 mph. no injuries reported. vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the cause could not be determined at this time. *ak | |||
| 02/28/2005 | 1 | ||
| While driving approximately 40 mph consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle in the back. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| 02/05/2005 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was involved in a head on collision at 40 mph. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. owner will contact manufacturer.*ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| While driving 45 mph driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole. upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. driver sustained bruises all over the body, and was transported to the hospital. vehicle was towed to the dealer, and dealer could not duplicate the problem. *ak | |||
| 09/15/2003 | 04/12/1999 | ||
| Consumer called complaining about having problems with the vehicle having electrical problems. the vehicle was taken into a dealer and stayed over night. the consumer went to pick up the car and when he got in the car it would not start. the mechanic told him to get into the vehicle. when he started it he realized that the air bag light was on. he was told to pump the gas pedal at which time both frontal air bags deployed. the manufacturer was contacted, as well as the dealer, and told consumer that it was caused for after market products that were install in the vehicle. *nlm | |||
| 03/30/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Vehicle was at an intersection at a stop sign and another vehicle was coming up a hill, and consumer's vehicle was hit on driver's side. dealership was aware of problem. upon impact, driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy. there were two injuries.*ak *slc | |||
| 06/06/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle experiencing alignment problems due to suspension failure, which could have cause consumer to have an accident. however, the airbag was loose at the rear part of the steering wheel, which could have caused airbag to experience no deployment during the accident, resulting in multiple injuries. *yc | |||
| 12/01/1998 | |||
| Since the car was first bought the engine has been extremely loud as well as shaking occasionally when stopping at a traffic light. i spoke with my salesperson, who was friendly and took it on a test drive again, and he found nothing wrong. he said it was probably due to the cold weather, but told me to take it to my local dealer to have it looked at as a precaution. i went to the local dealer and they would not see me then so i asked to make an appointment for a better time. i was told that no appointments could be made and they accepted cars on a first come first served basis. since neither dealer is located close to me, i decided to wait a while to see if it was just the weather. in february, the air bag light came on and would not go off for 2 days and since then it will come on and stay on for a while, and sometimes it will turn off after a few days. this is a major concern because i don't want it to come out unexpectedly or to fail when needed. i went to the same local dealer 2 days ago and they would not see me. at first, the man tried to make me think it was all in my head, but after insisting on having it checked out anyway, he told me they could not see me and that i would have to make an appointment. i explained that i had tried to before, but was told i couldn't and he basically told me to call later to set up an appointment. since a failure could cause a tragic accident i don't know where else to turn to have ford check the car. it is only 3 months old and this is the 4th time i have had to see about it which makes me leary of either the quality of fords or that my car is not up to the same safety standards as it should be. please help. i also saw on the news last night that several ford cars are being recalled now due to safety concerns so i would like to make sure my car is safe before me or someone else gets hurt. i would appreciate any assistance you can give me, and please let me know what steps to take. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 08/24/2007 | 104308 | 1 | 09/08/2006 |
| 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 (nhtsa 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 *tr | |||
| 07/03/2006 | 73000 | 1 | 12/01/2005 |
| 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. | |||
| 04/06/2006 | 24096 | 2 | 12/01/1999 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20mph, the steering wheel locked, the vehicle crashed and the air bags deployed but did not inflate. the vehicle proceeded to crash into 2 parked cars. injuries were sustained to the driver and passenger's hands, back and feet. both occupants were wearing seat belts. the police responded and provided a written report. the insurance company inspected and deemed the vehicle totaled. there was additional property damage to the parked vehicles. | |||
| 02/11/2005 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was involved in a head on collision at 35 mph. upon impact, air bags did not deploy. manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak | |||
| 09/19/2004 | 106390 | 1 | 09/14/1999 |
| My then 20 year old daughter was driving our 1999 escort zx2. she stoped at a stop sign, and as she began to accell. the air bags deployed for no reason. she was shaken up, and burned on her face and arms. i reported this to ford motor company, they told me because the vehicle was out of warranty, they would not be responsible and would not even inestigate the concern. they advised me to contact my insurance co. i contacted farmers ins. they said that since there was no accident it was not covered. however they agreed to pay for a portion of the investigation. a report was made by an independant co. they recommended taht the air bag module be removed and sent to a qualified engineer for evaluation. north point ford in n.l.r. ar. removed the part, and farmers sent it to be evaluated. in the mean time my vehicle is damaged and no one will help. i have not heard anything more from farmers, as of 1-31-05. i know that ford has recalled other year model escorts for the same possible concern, but they refuse to help me or even investigate. i had esp to 100,000 miles , i carry full coverage insurance, and this kind of damage and injury is not covered , this does not seem right to me . is there anything more i can do. please advise. *ak | |||
| 01/31/2004 | 98716 | 1 | |
| The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving at 45 mph. upon impact, none of the frontal air bags deployed. driver sustained back and neck injuries, and is currently in therapy. *ak *sc *jb | |||
| 05/12/2004 | 26000 | 1 | |
| While driving smoke started to come out from the front passenger side air bag compartment. consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 01/12/2004 | 113000 | 1 | |
| After hitting a guard rail 70 mph on driver's front side air bags did not deploy. consumer sustained minor arm injuries. *ak | |||
| 02/24/2003 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy, consumer was injured.*jb | |||
| 01/26/2003 | 1 | ||
| Air bags did not release when impact to a tree occurred. estimated speed was 45 miles per hour. damaged done to front by collision with tree.*jb | |||
| 09/18/2002 | |||
| In a frontal collision none of the air bags deployed on impact.*ak | |||
| 08/24/2002 | |||
| While driving 45mph front of vehicle hit side of another vehicle, and air bags did not deploy.*ak | |||
| 07/05/2002 | |||
| While traveling about 55mph on highway another vehicle veered in front of consumer's vehicle, and it went into a construction barrier. upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. *ak | |||
| 12/25/2001 | 1 | 11/08/1999 | |
| The vehicle was involved in an accident and both the driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy, causing the driver and another consumer to sustain injuries. *yh | |||
| While driving at state speed limit involved in a head on collision without warning. upon impact, air bags did not deploy, resulting in two fatalities.*ak | |||
| 12/25/2001 | 1 | 11/08/1999 | |
| The vehicle was involved in an accident and both the driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy, causing the driver and another consumer to sustain injuries. *yh | |||
| 01/22/2002 | 1 | 09/30/2001 | |
| While driving, consumer hit pile of sand and loss control of the vehicle and then it a tree, the airbag light illuminated, however the airbags failed to deploy. *ak *tt | |||
| 09/25/1999 | 1 | 03/20/1999 | |
| Consumer was involved in a front collision, in which neither airbag deployed, consumer suffered minor injuries.*jb | |||
| 08/12/2001 | 1 | 01/01/1999 | |
| The escort airbags did not deploy when vehicle hit another car head on. (escort front hit side of flat bed trailer) significant damage to front end of car and no damage to trailer. *ak | |||
| 12/27/1999 | 2 | 02/01/1999 | |
| Weather was 74 degrees, i t-boned vehicle in the wrong @ 25mph. neither airbag deployed on impact, seatbelt unfastened causing me to hit windshield and get leg caught under steering column. possible permanent injuries. *ak | |||
| 04/21/2001 | 1 | 05/01/2000 | |
| The right passenger airbag exploded when deployed, separating entirely from the dashboard and was briefly on fire, then smoking on the floor.*ak | |||
| 03/30/2001 | 1 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Vehicle was at an intersection at a stop sign and another vehicle was coming up a hill, and consumer's vehicle was hit on driver's side. dealership was aware of problem. upon impact, driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy. there were two injuries.*ak *slc | |||
| 11/21/2000 | 0 | ||
| Consumer was traveling about30 mph on a side street and another vehicle hit consumer's vehicle on broadside, and vehicle was totaled, but air bags didn't deploy. *ak | |||
| While driving at approximately 25-30 mph a deer jumped in front, vehicle hit it, ran off road, and fell into a ditch. upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy, causing minor injuries. vehicle was a total loss.*ak | |||
| 11/07/2000 | |||
| After being in a car accident at 30 mph in rain, air bags did not deploy. there was no prior warning . the car was totaled.*ak | |||
| 10/18/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was involved in a head-on collision of 25-20 mph impact. upon impact, both air bags did not deploy until after driver's head struck steering wheel, and caused driver's clothes to catch on fire. dealer notified, and informed consumer to contact nhtsa. please feel free to provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 10/20/2000 | |||
| Vehicle involved in a frontal collision at 55 mph. vehicle hit a concrete divider and bounced off, striking another vehicle. upon impact, both air bags did not depoy. please feel free to provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 09/10/2000 | 2 | ||
| While driving about 40 mph, vehicle struck a pickup but air bag did not deploy, resulting in ijury of the driver. *yh | |||
| 08/29/2000 | |||
| While driving vehicle had frontal impact, and driver's /passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 09/03/2000 | 1 | 06/24/1999 | |
| Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway and hydroplaned off the road. then, she went down an enbankment. airbags didn't deploy at all, and consumer sustained internal injuries, and suffered post trauma.*ak | |||
| 06/20/2000 | 1 | ||
| In the process of starting vehicle ignition switch caught on fire. as a result, both airbags deployed, and interrior of dashboard was ruined.*ak | |||
| 05/29/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was involed in an accident. upon impct, airbag deployed, but did not inflate, there was no air bag causing passenger to hit windshield and cracking it. *ak *slc | |||
| 04/14/2000 | 1 | ||
| While driving at 35 mph vehicle was in a front end collision and the seat belts did not restrain properly. also, air bags did not deploy. dealer has been contacted. *ak *ml | |||
| 03/03/2000 | |||
| Defective driver's and passenger's air bags malfunctioned, and did not deploy at a frontal impact of 30 mph, which did not protect the occupants in this crash. mechanic said the airbags were defective. *ak | |||
| 01/31/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was involved in an accident by hitting a snow draft, causing vehicle to spin around into a ditch and strike a concrete barrier upon impact, seat belt and air bag failed to deploy. *ak | |||
| 11/23/1999 | 0 | 01/01/1999 | |
| While switching lanes a car from the back tapped bumper and consumer lost control of vehicle. car hit guardrail stright on at about 50 mph, and airbags didn't deploy. *ak | |||
| 12/04/1999 | 08/11/1999 | ||
| Front end hit another vehicle's front end at roughly 15 to 20mph, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. driver sustained injuries. dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak | |||
| 11/17/1999 | 0 | 04/01/1999 | |
| Consumer tried to reduce speed to avoid rear ending another vehicle that stopped in front of her vehicle, but it was too late. during collision both air bags experienced no deployment. *ak *yc | |||
| 11/18/1999 | 0 | ||
| While driving at night it was not raining, there were two cars in front. consumer saw one of the cars swerve to the left and the other to the right as though they were trying to avoid hitting something. then consumer saw a car stop dead in the middle of the road. consumer had no where else to turn. the car in front had a flat, no hazard lights were on. consumer rear ended the other vehicle at about 50mph. upon impact, airbags did not deploy. consumer felt that if airbag had of deployed consumer's head would not have hit the windshield. *ak | |||
| 11/05/1999 | |||
| While driving 25-30 mph the vehicle had a direct frontal impact and driver's/passenger airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in this crash. the occupants sustained injuries. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 10/21/1999 | |||
| While drivin vehicle was involved in a collision. consumer rear ended another vehicle,and the airbags did not deploy. please provide any futher information. *ak | |||
| 10/15/1999 | 0 | ||
| While driving about 25 mph consumer rear ended a parked vehicle. seat belt did not hold her back, and the air bags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| Consumer hit a lamp post head-on at 61 mph, and neither driver's side or passenger's side air bags deployed. the dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 09/30/1999 | 0 | ||
| While traveling at 25 mph a car was coming in opposite direction and made a illegal left turn, consumer was unable to slow down and hit the other car on passenger's side door and back door. upon impact, airbags did not diploy. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1999 | |||
| While driving at night at approximately 50mph a deer ran out in front. vehicle swerved to avoid hitting deer. it went off the shoulder. brought vehicle back to the road and vehicle tipped on the driver's side. then came back on all four, and continued down the road out of control hit an embakment head-on. neither airbags deployed. contact dealer and manufacturer. | |||
| 08/22/1999 | |||
| While traveling at 40 mph vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear end. upon impact, driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. ford has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 03/15/1999 | |||
| Consumer was at a stop light and she was bending down to pick up her purse whenshe heard a loud noise, the airbags deployed. *ak | |||
| 07/30/1999 | |||
| Vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 40mph. upon impact, airbags did not deploy. driver sustained minor injuries. manufacturer will be notified. *ak | |||
| 07/30/1999 | |||
| While driving at 25-35 mph consumer's vehicle rear ended vehicle in front that all of a sudden's sides.consumer contacted dealer. *ak | |||
| Consumer was involved in 60 mph frontal collision in which the driver's/passenger's air bags not deploy. please give any further details. *ak | |||
| 04/25/1999 | |||
| When vehicle was involved in a crash totalling vehicle, driver's side/ passenger's side air bags did not deploy. vehicle was making a left turn and was hit by a ford f350, traveling about 35 mph on the front passenger's side. driver hit his head-on the steering wheel. hurt his knee and received neck and back injuries. *ak | |||
| 01/27/1999 | |||
| When vehicle was involved in a crash, there was deployment of both air bags, but the air bag on the passenger's side started smoldering. no one was seated on the passenger's side. reported by deputy chief donald mccarthy. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE | |||
| 08/21/2003 | 09/15/1999 | ||
| My driver side airbag popped out all of a sudden. i lost control of the car and hit a brick mail box. after the collision the other airbag popped out. i filed a police statement and i had a witness driving behind me who saw what happened. i have contacted ford but they have not returned a call as of 8/25/03. *ak | |||
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | |||
| 06/27/2000 | |||
| Vehicle was involved in an accident, and car was totally damaged. also, neither driver'sside nor passenger's side airbags deployed. consumer sustained injuries. *ak | |||
| 09/30/1999 | 0 | ||
| While traveling at 25 mph a car was coming in opposite direction and made a illegal left turn, consumer was unable to slow down and hit the other car on passenger's side door and back door. upon impact, airbags did not diploy. *ak | |||