Eight problems related to side/window air bag have been reported for the 1997 Ford Escort. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While attempting to start the vehicle passenger's side air bag deployed. As a result, consumer sustained facial injuries. One week later consumer received a recall notice from the manufacturer.
Driver's side air bag deployed while vehicle was parked, causing windshield to blowout.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway, and while driving another vehicle made a sudden stop and without prior warning she ran into the back of driver's vehicle. Driverside airbag didn't go off fully, but passenger side airbag broke of window of door. Dealership was aware of problem.
Consumer was traveling about 45mph on a side road and struck a deer. Airbags inflated at this time, and consumer was blinded . There was smoke dust everywhere. When driver's side airbag went off, airbag broke his wrist.
Vehicle was involved in multiple freeway car collision. Up impact estimated at 30 mph, air bag on driver's side failed to deploy. ( passenger's side air bag did deploy). Dealer notified.
While driving in a residential street hit a dog, and air bags deployed on both driver's and passenger's sides. Passenger's side air bag busted the front window, and consumer's hand was burned badly.
Driver's side seatbelts never locked down. When the passenger side airbag was deployed it shattered the windshield. Glass was on the passenger's seat and if some one was there they would have been cut.
While traveling 65-70 mph and without any indication passenger's side air bag deployed, damaging windshield.