Front Air Bag Sensor Control Problems of Ford Escort - part 1

Ford Escort owners have reported 39 problems related to front air bag sensor control (under the air bag category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Escort based on all problems reported for the Escort.

1 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 11/01/2007

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. The contact smelled a strong burning odor while driving 60 mph. The dealer stated that the part would be ordered and replaced under NHTSA campaign id number 02v323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module). The contact smelled the odor again the following day and the vehicle shut down. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealer. Chrysler notified Ford and informed them that the air bag monitor burned and caused the vehicle to shut off. Ford stated that the failure was not related to the air bag monitor. Ford also advised Chrysler to have the vehicle towed to them, but any additional damage would not be repaired. The manufacturer filed a report and stated that it would be sent to the legal department and a response would be received in writing. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 146,808.

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2 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 06/04/2007

I am the service manager at c. H. Urness motor CO in the dalles,or, I purchased a 1997 Ford Escort for my daughter on 06/02/2007,then on 06/04/2007,the car had a fire under the dash,upon inspection we found an open recall "02s44"for this exact failure,I contacted the local Ford dealer(ray schultens Ford and was told they could not help me because the airbag module was no longer available!. I then contacted Ford motor CO. Customer relations(case # 1433871927). On 07/23/07 I received a letter stating "Ford motor CO. Was unable to offer any assistance at this time"the customer service rep told me over the phone that I should make the dealer I bought the car at "buy it back,after all you work for them"this car has an unrepaired recall and is unable to be repaired due to no parts available,what is my next step in this process?.

3 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 01/13/2006

: the contact stated there was a recall for the vehicle, NHTSA # 02v323000, concerning the air bag sensor. However, the recall remedy did not correct the problem. The vehicle was parked at an independent repair shop. The technician noticed the windows fogging up and opened the driver side door. While inside looking at the gauges the air bag deployed. This pinned the technician between the seat and steering wheel. The deployment cracked the windshield. Upon inspection, the technician determined it is the same problem indicated in the recall. There was water accumulated in the integrated air bag monitor. Updated 3/1/2006 - the consumer still has the defective parts in her possession.

4 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 2001 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 11/14/2005

I was involved in a very minor accident with only paint damage to my front bumper. The other vehicle also had only paint damage. I was stopped and the other vehicle scraped mine at a speed of maybe 25 mph. My airbags depoyed and caused more damage than the accident itself.

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5 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 11/11/2004

Air bag light illuminated. Consumer had the problem before. Contacted the Ford dealer, but problem recurred.

6 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 06/20/2004

Last may 23rd 2003 I had the my car recalled for the recall #02v323000. This week my air bag monitor light was blinking. Diagnostic code 52. The integrated airbag monitor(iabm) failed. Only one year later, the iabm fails, and the recall doesn't cover the iabm, but just a shield and grease. Shouldn't the recall cover the failing integrated air bag monitor.

7 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/31/2004

Recall #02v323000 - Ford Escort. Last may 2003 I had the my car recalled for the above. This week my air bag monitor light was blinking - blink code 5-2. The integrated air bag monitor(iabm) failed - blink code 5-2. Within 12 months and 12,000 miles of the recall my iabm fails, and the recall doesn't cover the iabm, but just a shield and grease. Shouldn't the recall cover the failing integrated air bag monitor.

8 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/08/2004

Air bag warning indicator illuminated, and vehicle was taken to the dealer. Mechanic determined that water got into the air bag system, and damaged it and wiring harness. Dealer informed consumer that vehicle was under recall 02v323000, but the damaged parts were not covered under this recall. Consumer indicated he never received a recall notice from the manufacturer.

9 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 12/02/2003

Prior to having recall# 02v323000 performed for the air bag monitor, while driving on the interstate flames started coming from underneath the dashboard. The fire burned the entire dashboard and it's components.

10 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 09/21/2003

My 1997 Escort not only had defective airbag deployment but caught on fire. My vehicle is a total loss. How rare is this occurance? Ford is only willing to give me the trade in value for my vehicle not the replacement cost. Seems like the consumer is the loser again. I was never notified of this recall. My daughter was driving the car and could have been killed when the bags deployed and the dash was already on fire. The fire was so severe it shattered the windshield and melted the entire dash.

11 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 09/15/2003

Last Thursday my husbands 1997 Ford Escort caught fire, and we think it was because of a faulty air bag sensor. It had been previously recalled, and we took it to the local Ford dealer and had the problem corrected. But everything that happened fell in exactly with what the recall letter said would happen if we didn't get it fixed. We would like this matter further investigated because we feel that the Ford dealership only installed another faulty air bag sensor into our car instead of fixing it like they were supposed to. Neither my husband or I were injuried when the car caught fire, but that was only by the grace of god. If we can prevent this from happening to someone else then we should.

12 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 09/06/2003

I purchased a new 1997 Ford Escort in September 1996. After driving the car for about a week the anti-lock brake light came on and the car was losing brake fluid. This happened a couple of times. I took the car back to the dealer and was advised that the brake fitting was missing some threads. Dealer fixed problem. This past January I got a letter from Ford about the recall for the air bag monitor/sensor problem and had to take it to the local dealer to have that problem corrected. Now the car has a slow coolant leak. I took it to a repair shop and was advised that the head gasket is leaking. The car only has about 62,850 miles on it and has been very well maintained. It will cost approximately $800. 00 - $1000. 00 to replace the head gasket. I feel this head gasket failure is premature and Ford should pay for it. This was the first Ford vehicle I ever purchased and it will probably be the last. I want to know why they cannot put a $14,000 car together correctly and assure its quality to last. I looked at some of the service bulletins and previous complaints on the NHTSA web site regarding the 1997 Ford Escort and they are distressing to say the least. My next vehicle will be a gm product.

13 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 06/17/2003

Air bag light illuminated. Owner received recall notice 02v323000 concerning integrated air bag monitor contamination. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs on 6/17/2003. When the owner received the vehicle air bag light illuminated. The dealer stated a diagnostic test has to be done at the owners expense. Consumer requested a call from the investigating officer.

14 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 06/10/2003

Consumer had recall 02v323000 remedied in 03/03. The airbag warning light illuminated again and the consumer was very concerned for her safety. The air bag light came on while driving. The air bag light stayed on for two days. The dealer stated they were unable to do anything about it unless it had come back on. The power window failed to roll down.

15 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 05/08/2003

The consumer took the vehicle for recall repairs on the air bag module on 5/5/2003 to the dealer. The dealer refused to do the repairs without an explanation. On 5/8/2003 the air bag module short circuited and caught on fire. The vehicle exploded. Recall # 02v323000.

16 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 04/07/2003

The consumer received a recall notice 02v323000 which was remedied on 4-6-03, however on 4-7-03, while driving, there was a "burning" smell and smoke coming the from dashboard area. The consumer pulled over and when he returned for vehicle the next day, it caught fire due to a coolant leak onto the airbag frontal control module.

17 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/27/2003

The horn failed to operate, there was a recall regarding the air bag senor control module.

18 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/27/2003

The air bag light illuminated on the dash board, there was a recall regarding the issue.

19 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/27/2003

Consumer received a recall notice regarding the air bag sensor control module, however the dealer stated no parts were available.

20 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/18/2003

The consumer requested a follow up to a letter which was sent regarding a vehicle fire.

21 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/18/2003

Consumer requesting restitution for a house fire that was caused by a vehicle fire. . Prior to the fire the vehicle also experienced a problem with the alternator and the brakes squeaking.

22 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/05/2003

The air bag experienced an electrical short as a result of the water contamination to the integrated air bag monitor. Consumer then received recall 02 v 3 23000 regarding that specific defect. The manufacturer refused to repair air bag even though it may deploy without warning. Manufacturer advised they will only install the shield to protect monitor from liquid contamination. 8jb.

23 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/05/2003

The air bag experienced an electrical short as a result of water contamination to the integrated air bag monitor. Consumer then received recall 0 2 v 32 3000 regarding that specific defect. The manufacturer refused to repair air bag even though it may deploy without warning. Manufacturer advised they will only install the shield to protect monitor from liquid contamination.

24 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/05/2003

The air bag experienced an electrical short as a result of the water contamination to the integrated air bag monitor. Consumer then received recall 02v323000 regarding that specific defect. The manufacturer refused to repair air bag even though it may deploy without warning. Manufacturer advised they will only install the shield to protect monitor from liquid contamination. Dealer would replace parts and labor free of charge.

25 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/03/2003

The consumer does not want the air bags in her vehicle because she has to sit close to the steering wheel and there was a recent recall regarding the air bags.

26 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 02/11/2003

Consumer was informed no parts were available regarding the recall for the air bag sensor control module. Recall #02v323000.

27 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 02/03/2003

The vehicle experienced a problem with the air bag module, however the dealer stated no parts were available.

28 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 12/20/2001

Air bags deployed while driving with no warning and no collision or impact to the sensors for the air bags, both drivers and passenger bags went off and also had broken the windshield.

29 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1996 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 12/20/2001

Airbags deployed in very low speed impact, causing no damage to car except rear view mirror when air bag hit it. Air bag sensors were not touched, causing 1500 damage to replace airbags. .

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30 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 08/18/2001

Nhtsa campaign id number: 02v323000 when I received the letter from Ford it said that the recall was for the air bag module. It did not say anything about just putting a plastic covering over the module. The module in my car was already shorted out and is no good. I made a complaint about his in early 2002. I spoke with an NHTSA investigator about this problem and months later is when the recall happened. But it not even a recall for a fix to the problem I already had. Keeping the water out of a bad module is not helping me at all. I was under the impression that the module would be replaced. How can the dealer see that the air bag module is shorted out and just put a plastic covering on it and give it back to us with the air bag light still on?.

31 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 07/19/2000

Both driver & passenger airbags deployed & shattering passenger side window from the force of the airbag deployment, talked to dealer & airbags knocked out the clock spring, monoitor, dash assembly, dash frame bucket & sensors.

32 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 03/08/2000

Air bag sensor light continually blinked. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that the malfunction may be due to a bad clock spring, and repairs would be at consumer's cost.

33 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1998 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 10/15/1999

When the airbags deployed the sensor flew out, hitting and injuring the driver. The manufacturer will be notified.

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34 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1998 Ford Escort

Failure Date: 05/06/1998

No deployment of airbags in two accidents. Qcaw.

35 Front Air Bag Sensor Control problem of the 1997 Ford Escort

Explosion sound heard under dashboard of vehicle, consumer suspected problems with air bags. The explosion was heard on two separate occasions. Dealer stated was not authorized to open the air bag compartment. Five years later, consumer received a recall notice regarding the air bags.


Other Common Air Bag related problems of Ford Escort


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