Front Air Bag problems of the 2000 Ford Focus - part 1

This vehicle was purchased to be driven by my daughter as a entry level vehicle that was suppose to be a safe, efficient and durable means of transportation. From advertisments I expected a safe and inexpensive car. During a low speed accident the airbags deployed causeing more damage to the vehicle than the actual accident itself. First the engine was disabled, the dash cracked, the windshield completly knocked outward and the airbag system needing complete replacement. After a lot of online research I have found that over many years sense 2000 and 2001,there are thousands of the same complaints with the same exact outcomes. These vehicles sales were guided toward younger drivers which where there are more likely low speed impact accidents. Although there were safety issue at hand, the early deployment of the airbags at very low speed impact accidents has cost owners and insurance companies more in repairs due to the damages from the airbag deployment alone than neccessary and have even caused total loss at owners and insurance companies expense. An investigation was opened early on after these issues were first developing and the investigation was closed quickly with the manufacture stateing they set a low impact deployment speed to save lifes and not so many vehicles experienced these outcomes. However over the years the records show these low speed deployments are more in numbers than mentioned and expected and is a uncalled for expense for owners and thier insurance companies, causeing from total loss of vehicles to unaffordable insurance rates due to the enormous cost to remove and replace the airbag systems as well as dashboard and windshield damages,when the passengers lives were not really at stake. In my daughters case,the airbag never was a safety tool as the airbag never really touched her. Therefore it was a un-needed deployment set by the manufacture with damages at our expense. This should have never happened. Damages us = $3000 other driver $1000.

My mother was parked in the car and moved the gear accidentally to drive rather than reverse to back out of her parking space and pushed on the gas which inevitably went forward instead of backwards and hit a curb and barrier, approx. 4-5 ft. In front of her. This caused the drivers & passenger airbags to deploy which destroyed the windshield. Now the car was not obviously going fast at all and there is no way these bags should have deployed. Very bad situation. We had to pay $250. 00 to replace the windshield and are currently getting price quotes to repair the air bag system which so far, exceeds the value on the car. . .

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Focus. While driving approximately 5-10 mph, the vehicle locked and began to slide. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the preceding vehicle. On impact, the frontal air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact's hand was injured and the front windshield was cracked. He called Ford and is awaiting their response. The vehicle has not been repaired and is unable to be driven. The failure and current mileages were 99,967.

Following a minor accident, no damage, the airbag deployed broke the windshield and dashboard. For 12 months afterward the passenger floor would fill with water during rain showers. I took it to be repaired 4 times with no success finally on the 5th trip the body shop figured out that the glue or filler that was placed between the welded structural components during assembly at the factory had cracked leaving a tiny hole that was siphoning water into the passenger compartment. They applied sealant to the seam between the passenger door panel and roof and so far no more leaks.

Fatality vehicle fire, Dec. 8 2004. My husband is the original owner of a 2000 Ford Focus, subject to numerous service visits to bill brown Ford, livonia mi for: ignition, steering column, wheel bearing, brake, rear window control, seat belt &trunk latches, overhead light and engine light. The vacuum line & fuel pump & valve assembly were replaced 2/03, followed by stalling. In 6/03, a/c compressor & manifold line replaced. Fuel line & pump failure in 8/03, resulted in gasoline spill on residential street minutes after parking. Bogging followed repairs, pcm reprogrammed & leaking pvc tube replaced 1/04. Fuel pump again replaced. In 8/04, our 24 year old son took ownership of this problematic car. We are uncertain as to whether vehicle malfunction caused a 35 mph collision with a fire hydrant. An immediate engine explosion and fuel fed fire trapped my son and his passenger. Described by police as a relatively minor crash which would not be expected to claim lives, the subsequent unexplained engine fire claimed two young lives. A malfunctioning driver's airbag was also detected. This incident was originally reported to NHTSA by my husband (#10104088). I am supplying these additional facts for your clarification. Please correct your posting of "0" injuries as there were 2 fatalities. Please take effective action to save lives, as these trouble plagued vehicles seem to become more lethal as they age. Confirmation of receipt of this information is requested.

This complaint is concerning clarification of our previous complaints to NHTSA regarding the 2000 Ford Focus : #10104088 and #10107840. I am extremely concerned about the misinterpretation of data collected by your agency and posted for public review. Deaths are not posted, nor are they included as injuries. This misrepresents the seriousness of the vehicle and equipment failures reported.

Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 mph. Upon impact, air bags deployed but the substance in the air bag burnt through the driver's jacket sleeve and caused first and second degree burns to the arms. The jacket was made of 78% polyester and 27%rams.

During a auto collision the airbags in my 2000 Ford Focus se did not deploy. I hit a divider with my front end and my airbags did not work.

Vehicle: 2000 Ford Focus, while driving down a residential road at approximately 20 mph, both front airbags deployed, causing damage to the dashboard and the windshield. I was injured, minor burns and a sprained wrist. The manufacturer claims that there is nothing they can do, that there is no problem with the airbags of the Ford Focus. The warranty on the car has run out, and the insurance also won't cover this.

When my airbag on my 2000 Ford Focus deployed, it burnt my hand. Had I not been wearing gloves, it would have been much more severe.

I skidded into the car in front of me with minimal force. There was no damage to the car I hit. There was minimal damage to my car, (small scratch on the front bumper and a headlight needed to be realigned) except both of the front air bags deployed and the front passenger seatbelt locked (there was no one in the passenger seat). .

While driving down the road, suddenly, there was a loud boom, followed by the airbags deploying & the wind shield shattering. I stopped the car, placed it in park, turned off the engine & yelled at my children to jump out of the car. A gentleman, driving behind me stopped, looked at the car & called 911. He then proceeded to start the car back up & drive it to the side of the road. After the police came, checked the road & filled out the report, I then turned the car around & drove it back to my girlfriend's house & parked it. The next day, I drove it to my aunt's house & parked it in her driveway until Monday when it was towed to the dealership ( where it is still located ) there was no car in front of me when this incident happened, & there is no damage to the body of the car.

The passenger air bag deployed without impact.

The front air bags deployed without impact.

The consumer rear-ended another vehicle traveling 12 mph. The collision was very minor. However the driver and passenger air bags deployed which caused over $4000 in damage to the vehicle.

In frontal collision the air bags did deploy on impact, but liquid from air bags burned driver so badly that driver was hospitalized.

Vehicle involved in minor impact of front which didn't cause any damage to either vehicle. Both dual air bags deployed, shattering windshield and spewing glass over entire vehicle. Please describe details.

While driving in a frontal impact air bag deployed and liquid that came out burned driver.

While driving at 30 mph consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle head on, but none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer.

Consumer states that the air bag deployed when the vehicle tap another car from behind at less than 5mph. Causing injures.

Ran over curb airbag deployed burning drivers arm, breaking windshield, cracking dash to the point of needing to be replaced which was noted by repair shop to be unusual.

When driving at 5mph consumer bumped a curve, and driver's airbagd eployed, shattering front windshield. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collsion of 1-5 mph and both air bags deployed, causing front windshield damages on passenger's side. Driver sustained 2nd degree burns on right forearm and some on his right hand. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. . .

After getting hit from behind by another vehicle air bags deployed while consumer was pulling off the road, causing some minor damage to vehicle. Contacted dealer ,and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

While traveling on highway frontal air bag deployed during a collison, in which the airbag burned consumer's arm.

Vehicle has been given consumer trouble since purchasing it. 2nd day after purchase vehicle was in dealer's shop for 2 weeks. When putting on brakes vehicle shakes. Also, driver cannot see to make turns because truck is very high. While driving, the consumer and his daughter were hurt due to brakes and wipers failed in the rain. The rear window is very high and the driver was unable to see vehicles from behind. Brakes failed more than three times, however the dealer refused to fix it after the first repair there were 2 injuries, consumer also states the airbags failed.

Vehicle was involved in a driver's side/off center frontal collision. Driver and passenger received severe injuries from air bag deployment. *akpassenger suffered massive facial abrasions and severe trauma to her left eye as a result of this accident. Driver suffered severe burns to the hands, air bag speed caused a deviated septum and permanent eye damage.

Why did I suffer 1st and 2nd degree powder burns to the left hand from the Focus steering wheel airbag? I know of another party who suffered same to left hand and forearm from a Ford Focus steering wheel bag. Is there something wrong with the Ford Focus design or hand burns common in any steering wheel bag discharge? any insight would be greatly appreciated.

While driving air bags deployment causes injuries.

Pe 02 020: air bag burn injuries/vehicle fire: vehicle was involved in a crash, in which both air bags deployed. Driver's air bag caused a fire on driver's shirt and second degree burns on left arm. Dealer notified.

During a minor vehicle crash, airbags deployed and shattered windshield. Consumer received 2nd and 3rd degree burns due to air bag contact.

Airbags deployed while driving over a dirt road at 5-10mph, causing the windshield and plastic headliner to break. Vehicle has been repaired by dealer, there were two injuries.

Vehicle involved in a frontal right side bumper accident. Hit rear bumper of another vehicle at approximately 10 mph or less. Upon impact, both air bags deployed, and driver sustained 3rd degree burns on right hand; dealer/ manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

While driving at 25-35 mph in the rain consumer lost control and vehicle ran into a guardrail, hitting right front side of vehicle. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer.

While driving 25 to 30 mph and making a left hand turn turn was to wide, and right side hit curve, and left side of hit a tree. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed.