Four problems related to side/window air bag have been reported for the 2005 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2005 Escape.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving between 35-40 mph, both the passenger and driver's side air bags deployed without an impact or crash occurring. The contact suffered minor burns on her wrist. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and a claim was filed with the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 40,000. Updated 06/17/09 updated 06/17/09.
Odi# 10122211 1) 2005 Ford Escape 4x4: passenger side front airbag will not enable (inflate) with adult size person (wife 120 lbs, 5 feet 3 inch's tall) in seat. 2) deactivated (disabled) front air bag can result in serious injury / death to passenger. 3) Ford states: (cal worthington 1950 gambell st. , anchorage ak 99501; customer relation center, detroit, ph 800-392-3673; and dearborn mi engineers) that the front passenger side airbag sensor threshold is set at between 110-120 lbs and is "working properly" & threshold can not be adjusted & no option or repair are available. Note this was stated in writing & on the telephone from Ford. I believe Ford is in violation of federal (revised/un-revised) motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 208 please note mailing NHTSA odi: personal letter, Ford service denial letter, copy p. 125 Ford 2005 Escape owners guide with airbag information contradicting letter& telephone information.
New vehicle that has a weight sensor on the right front passenger side air bag. This allows the air bag to be active or disabled with the weight of a person. The sensor is calibrated between 115-120 pounds. Therefore, if the passenger weighs less than 120 pounds the air bag is disabled. Spoke to manufacturer, and they spoke to engineers, who indicated this was a normal calibration, and could not be changed.
Passenger's side air bag light comes on intermittently while the seat is occupied. Owner contacted the dealer, and was informed that the sensors for the seat was responding intermittently, and the air bag may not deploy properly upon impact. Owner states that this defect occurs when driving at 25 mph or greater.