Side/window Air Bag Problems of Ford E-350

My vehicle had been parked for about three or four weeks and I went to start it up to run the engine and charge the batteries as I did not plan to use it for another few weeks. When I turned the key the driver side airbag deployed and hit me hard. Also the passenger side seat belt buckle pretensioner fired off breaking the housing. The vehicle was stationary before, during, and after the incident. There has never been an accident and I can see no damage to the outside at all. I have contacted Ford and they will not assign a case number until it is inspected and checked by a Ford dealer. The closest Ford dealer that said they were capable of doing this is booked up and can not look at it for two weeks and they did make an appointment for 10/25/17. The dealership is about 35 miles and I will have to drive it there with the airbag hanging out of the steering wheel. I am so thankful this happened while parked in storage and not on the highway as I the result may have been fatal to my self and/or others. My injuries are some bruising, headaches, and a sore neck. The miles I entered are approximate, I will verify the exact number later.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford E-350 🔎.

A patient, 21 year old ambulance driver, has been treated here at the university of missouri from 10/27/14 for injuries from an auto accident, sustained when a vehicle pulled out in front of the ambulance she was driving. Her air bag deployed, protecting her appropriately. However, there is a metal disc beneath the airbag on the steering column, which was quite hot, and as she was trapped in the vehicle, she sustained burns to her chest and to her clothing. The burns were third degree burns requiring surgery, small area, but were significant burns. I am uncertain whether the hot disc at the base of the airbag is the result of a defect, or if it is part of the design. I am notifying you so you will be aware of this potential hazard, and to track the frequency of this type of injury. Although there was a death and another injury in this accident, they were not related in any way to the hot disc on the airbag mechanism. The ambulance is a 2003 Ford E-350. This was the driver’s side airbag.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford E-350 🔎.

Unable to turn off passenger side air bag. Taken to dealer ,who states they cannot repair it.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford E-350 🔎.