Front Air Bag problems of the 2001 Ford Focus - part 1

In July of 2010 I was driving my 2001 Ford Focus in stop and go traffic. The lady infront of me stopped, I had turned for a second, when I turned back I saw the airbags blow in my face. I was traveling a maximum of 10mph there was no damage to the other vehicle or mine (from the accident). The driver airbag burned my arm, the passenger shattered the windsheild, gun powder covered the roof lining. The parts manager at the local dealership said that the airbags where rated 25-30mph. I contacted Ford in August of 2010, in January of 2011 they finally replied by saying that "all epuipment functioned properly. ".

The contact stated while driving in bumper to bumper traffic the air bags deployed without any impact to the vehicle. This incident caused the contact's vehicle to hit another vehicle. Both bumpers cracked. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer recommended that no other mechanic look at the vehicle until they determine what occurred.

My son was driving our 2001 Ford Focus wagon on 10/14/05 when he was involved in a frontal collision in which both airbags deployed. He sustained 2nd degree burns on his left arm, from wrist to elbow, due to the airbag chemicals venting in an improper way. He is being treated by a physician for his injuries. The vehicle is not being driven at present.

The airbag deployed and burned the driver. The car filled with smoke immediately.

Accident happened at dept. Store parking lot. Hit concrete pole in parking lot causing airbags to deploy and causing airbag burns on wrist. Car totaled.

Focus driver hit rear of another vehicle at stop light - both Focus air bags deployed. Passanger air bag door hit windshield so hard it shattered windshield and shards of glass went every where inside the vehicle. Luckly there was no passanger or injury could have resulted from fly glass. Focus and other driver were not injured. Complaint is the poor location of passanger airbag. When activated the winshield is destroyed because of the passanger airbag door. Glass goes everywhere inside vehicle.

The air bags on a 2001 for Focus deployed when there was no impact. Ford will not take responsibility for this problem because the black box says the air bags deployed for a reason. There was no physical damage was done to the car except from the air bags. There was no accident report to file by the police because there was no impact, with another vehicle or without. She was driving 10 mph in traffic and used her brakes.

While applying the brake pedal driver's air bag deployed inadvertently. This caused the driver to sustain minor injuries. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.

While stopped at a light the frontal air bags deployed inadvertently. The driver sustained third degree burns to her face, lip, and neck area. The cause has yet to be determined.

Both front air bags deployed inadvertently while driving 35-40 mph. Dealer was notified.

While driving, the frontal air bags deployed inadvertently without warning. The driver was not hur,t but seeked medical attention the next day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. Please fill in additional information.

I rear-ended a vehicle in front of me at a stop light. Mph was less than 10. Both airbags deployed giving me 2nd degree burns to my hand and arm resulting in loss of work for several days and scarring. My windshield also shattered. The vehicle that was hit had no damage. My was very minimal. My airbags and windshield were replaced, but my steering wheel was never fixed. With the many numerous recalls on this vehicle plus this incident, my wife and I feel unsafe in this car.

Airbags where improperly configured in the passenger side. The consumer rear ended another vehicle while attempting to come to a stop. The impact was not severe but the frontal air bags deployed. The air bag deployment also shattered the windshield.

Ford Focus sped up for no reason and then veered to left crossing left lane and went into ditch which had a culvert and the car then bounced into a cornfield. Airbags deployed for both driver and passenger. Driver had broken ribs and other bruises. Passenger had chest injuries from which he died couple hours later. The inspecting officer said witnesses insisted they did not see brake lights, and if there was anything wrong with the car the driver would have hit the brakes. Driver remembered the accident, and was awake and talking to passenger. She was hospitalized and had neurological tests and did not have a stroke.

Consumer stated was involved in front collision and neither of the air bags deployed. Dealer notified.

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. Another vehicle jumped in front of the consumer's vehicle, and caused the consumer to hit the vehicle. On two separate occasions, the consumer was unable to stop the vehicle.

On Jan 4, 2003 while driving in the fog at a low speed of approximately 30 miles or a little less the airbags in my 2001 Ford Focus intermittently deployed causing the windshield to break and throwing us and the car up on a meridian. The airbags were emitting black smoke and the damage to the bottom of the car amount to $6188. 00. Fortunately, we were not seriously hurt and there was no other vehicle involved.

I was driving through a parking lot as I wet over a speed bump both front airbags deployed. Shattering the front windshield. Driver got minor burns on left arm passenger was hit with glass from windshield. Ts.

Low speed impact. 2001 Ford Focus rear ended another vehicle. Frontal air bags deployed in the 2001 Ford Focus. An accident reconstruction was completed and it was concluded there was no physical evidence found that would show cause for the frontal air bags to deploy.

Consumer states involved in a minor fender bender at 5-7mph. There was no front end damage to the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger air bags deployed. The driver's air bag sparked a flame on consumer's shirt resulting in second degree burns.

While driving down parkway 70 mph driver swerved to miss an animal on road. Then, lost control, leaving the road into a ditch, and striking tree against passenger's side. Driver's air bag deployed, and heat burned driver on wris,t melting a bracelet to arm. Please describe details.

Both airbags deployed in my Ford Focus when my vehicle (at rest) collided with a truck that was traveling at approximately 25 mph. I sustained second degree burns to both arms and face from the air bags.

Consumer involved in a frontal collision at 10 mph. Both the driver and passenger air bags deployed. The passenger bag shattered the windshield causing glass to "fly" around vehicle causing injuries.

Front crash at unknown speed, neither airbag deployed. No injuries, damage to vehicle unknown at this time. Please provide additional information.

This was a rental car. The air bag deployed in a prox 5 mph impact. I received 2nd degree burns to the back of my left hand.

The car has completely shutdown without any warning on three occasions. The first time while driving at approx. 25+mph. . . The car started to stall and I hit the curb (right tire/wheel hit the curb), both airbags went off (why????) and burned my arm (really bad) and broke the windshield. I did not report the problem because I found out that geico (insurance company) had lost (or not received) my online application so I had no coverage and therefore I would have to pay for all the repairs myself. New windshield, airbag, wheel. . . Cost $3000+ I'm still paying for the repairs. The second time it happened when I stopped on red light (I just thoght I was running out of gas. . . ), then; yesterday 06/28/02 I was driving home on hwy 192 at approx. 45mph and the engine lost all power (no warning) , I got scared and hit the brakes and pulled over almost causing an accident in the intersection. It's been raining here in FL almost everyday, I am glad the road was not wet when it happened. . . It could've been much worse. My car is a 2001 Ford Focus zx3 with only 7500 miles, so it's not an old car. After some quick research I found out this problem has been happening for a while now. . . And many of my focaljet. Com (online Ford Focus club) friends had the same problem. So, I have to respectfully ask you and everyone else reading this; when will you (and/or Ford) do something about it? I've just found out that I am paying ($3000+, and I only make min. Wage) for and small accident that could have been avoided. . . Sorry, I am really upset, I almost caused a high-speed/multiple-car accident in the middle of hwy 192 and I as well as other people could have been hurt. Please help ! ! !.

A uhaul truck smashed into the back of my car, sandwiching my Focus with the car in front of me. The crash was so strong my car is a total loss. However, none of the airbags deployed. I've contacted my dealership and Ford motor company but they did not give me any attention.

Air bags deployed without vehicle being in an accident. Driver sustained burns to his body. Consumer was applying the brakes to avoid hitting another vehicle when the airbags deployed and burnt his left hand.

While driving at 45 mph consumer was involved in a frontal collision, and none of front air bags deployed. Cause unknown.

Driver sustained second degree burns on arm from air bag deployment in a frontal collision of 40 mph. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.

Vehicle was involved in a minor collision in which driver and passenger's air bags deployed, and passenger sustained major injuries. Dealer has been notified. Consumer also stated the seat belts did not perform properly. Yh.

Upon impact airbags deployed, and I (the driver) received second-degree burns to my abdomen.

Impacted another vehicle at about 10mph. Struck vehicle had no damage - not a scratch. My vehicle -- crack in the front plastic bumper was the only damage to the exterior. Airbags deployed and caused the rest of the damage -- to my car and to me.

While driving 5 mph both airbags deployed, no injuries. Damage to vehicle was $ 4100. 00.

I was in a 20 mile per hour accident and the airbag deployedand burned my arm . I received second degree burns to my left arm and will have pemanent tissue damage to it. I was never in any danger that the air bag needed to go off, and was the only injured person in this accident . I would not have been hurt at all if the airbag had not gone off. My hands were in the 10 and 2 position and it seems that the ventilation tubes on the back airbag release the 300 degree chemicles right on to your hand.