1997 Ford Escort air bags problems
152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 1997 Ford Escort — 28% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Safety horn sticks and remains in on position creating a driving safety risk. Dealer explains that the horn switch is associated with the air bag. Based on all internet complaints and air bag problems, might be time to further investigate ford's commitment to safety and airbag performance…”
filed Sep 6, 2016
“My mother and I were driving to my grandparents house when she hit a baby deer going about 35 mph. I was 12 years old at the time and sitting in the front seat. The airbags deployed hitting me in right side of the face. My teeth went into my lip, and I had burn marks from the airbag on my…”
filed May 17, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR (IABM) CAN BE CONTAMINATED…Campaign 02V323000 · Dec 9, 2002
Air Bags problems in other Escort years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Escort | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 Escort | 9 | 13% |
| 2000 Escort | 18 | 18% |
| 1999 Escort | 66 | 20% |
| 1998 Escort | 75 | 20% |
| 1996 Escort | 18 | 9% |
| 1995 Escort | 67 | 12% |
| 1994 Escort | 54 | 19% |
| 1993 Escort | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 Escort | 1 | 0% |
| 1985 Escort | 1 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Ford Escort
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.