2016 Ford Escape Airbags Problems

Got in a wreck so bad it be t the frame she hit head on a d had seatbelt on and smacked her head on the dash the other cars airbags deployed hers did not

NHTSA ID

11754943

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

The air bag warning light illuminated when the front passenger seat was taken. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag sensor. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be repaired, but it might not resolve the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline

NHTSA ID

11736996

Incident

May 11, 2026

The contact's wife owned a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 45 MPH on the right lane and merging into the left lane, another vehicle violently crossed several lanes, causing the front of the vehicle to crash into the front driver's side of the other vehicle. The collision was mentioned to be a severe front-end impact, and the air bags did not deploy. The contact's wife sustained head, knee, stomach, chest, and neck injuries that required medical attention. The other vehicle's occupant received medical attention as well via the emergency room, but the injuries sustained were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a garage and then taken to the residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ID

11654729

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

Mileage

156,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed air bag sensor. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could be repaired, but it might not resolve the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,812.

NHTSA ID

11585312

Incident

Feb 24, 2024

Mileage

85,812 mi

I was driving at 50mph and a car pulled out infront of me. I had no option but crashing into them. The impact was in the front end of my vehicle causing enough damage to total the vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. The insurance aduster did look at the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11541342

Incident

Aug 25, 2023

The contact stated that he was seated in the front passenger seat of a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle owner was driving thru a stop sign at approximately 5 mph, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that none of the air bags were deployed. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated that the driver did not sustain any injuries but was suffering from mental issues from the crash. The passenger sustained injuries to his left toe and ankle as well as lower back which required medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact stated that he was awaiting an official inspection from the insurance company. The contact stated that photos were sent to the insurance company and they deemed it a possible total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 104,577.

NHTSA ID

11478791

Incident

Aug 6, 2022

Mileage

104,577 mi

The roof rack leaks every time it rains or gets wet car wash etc. Underneath that roof rack mounting hole is the curtain airbag which is soaked every time that happens. The airbag is rusting/staining my headliner and I think based on that tachata recall this would be under the same scrutiny. Concerned about whether or not the airbag will deploy of if it's corroding away each time it rains. I reached out to Ford when the unit was under warranty and no assistance from them. I then tried to take things into my own hands and silicone it but it still leaks. I have no idea how or where anymore. Still assuming the roof rack though

NHTSA ID

11469763

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Check codes found B00C0, B00A0, U0455. Passenger seat occupant classification airbag sensor faulty. Affects both airbag passenger and drivers side airbag systems. Dealer service center recommends replacing failed airbag sensor harness system and system reset (approximate repair cost $2700).

NHTSA ID

11466610

Incident

Dec 27, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty driver's side air bag. The dealer informed the contact that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was 78,972.

NHTSA ID

11459507

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

Mileage

78,972 mi

The airbag icon came on and I did not have an accident. I did not bump into anything. I took it to the dealership and they nothing about it. I also had problems with my transmission. The icon never came on about my transmission. I was driving home and the car stop shifting gears. My vehicle is only 5 years old and it should not have a transmission problem. I have only taken my car to the dealership. No other person or mechanic has ever worked on my car. Ford is selling cars that are not operable and safe for the consumer. Ford knows about this problem and they want to charge me over $6,000 for transmission fix. This 2016 Ford Escape should be recalled.

NHTSA ID

11444557

Incident

Dec 17, 2021

My airbag light kept coming on and off over the past month. Within the last week and half or so it has stayed on steadily. I seen a recall for other escapes with airbag defects but not mine and so I am not sure if there is about to be a recall on my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11429074

Incident

Jul 8, 2021

DASH AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS PROBLEM HAS REMAINED INTERMITTENT UNTIL TODAY, ON THREE OCCASIONS THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG HAS BEEN CHANGED, THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND THE MODULE HAVE ALSO BEEN CHANGED. TODAY THE TRUCK IS WITH THE FORD DEALER, AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID

11363380

Incident

Feb 27, 2017

Mileage

4,350 mi

HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER WITH LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL AT 72 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT PHONE WAS TRIGGER THROUGH SYNC TO CALL 911 FOR CRASH DETECTED.

NHTSA ID

11320276

Incident

Apr 4, 2020

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, LEFT THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK SEVERAL TREES HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO A FRACTURED PATELLA AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. JACK MADDEN FORD LOCATED AT 825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781)207-9009, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,118.

NHTSA ID

11306671

Incident

Jan 25, 2020

Mileage

26,118 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A CAR WASH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO SOME BUSHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHOWN SIGNS OF SUDDENLY ACCELERATING PREVIOUSLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SPEED UP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS CURRENTLY UNDER HER DOCTOR'S CARE AND TAKING SEVERAL PAIN MEDICATIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,954.

NHTSA ID

11277530

Incident

Oct 28, 2019

Mileage

29,954 mi

TAKATA AIRBAGS ALLEGEDLY RECALLED!

NHTSA ID

11234219

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

TAKATA AIRBAGS REPORTEDLY HAVE ZAXC HAVE A NEED TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11234214

Incident

Feb 13, 2016

THIS COMPLAINT IS A FOLLOW-UP TO ONE FILED EARLIER (11181564). THE PROBLEM IS NOW SOLVED THIS WIRE ISSUE IS NOT THE ONE IN THE TSB AND NOT CURRENTLY IN A RECALL. THIS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 43,000 MILES PRODUCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE TSB 13-12-12. MOTOR SUDDENLY STALLING, BACKFIRE SOMETIMES, ROUGH RUNNING, LOSS OF POWER, ETC. THE WIRE HARNESS HAD WORN THROUGH THE WRAP AND EVENTUALLY ONE OF THE WIRES IN THE BUNDLE ATOP THE MOTOR MADE INTERMITTENT CONTACT WITH A PART OF THE MOTOR. THIS CAUSED THE PCM TO THROW NUMEROUS CODES AND DISABLE CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEMS. RANDOM, ERRATIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. WIRE BUNDLE ALIGNED WITH THE FUEL RAIL BEGINS AT THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. AT THE POINT WHERE IT BEGINS UP COME TO THE MOTOR THERE IS A POST (ALUMINUM, TOP, FRONT, DRIVERS' SIDE OF MOTOR). THIS WIRE BUNDLE WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED FROM CHAFFING. THE REMAINDER OF THE WIRE IS WELL SECURED AND INSULATED BUT THIS POINT IS LITERALLY AND ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AS THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS SO INTERMITTENT. NOT COVERED UNDER 5/60 WARRANTY AND MY DEALER CHARGED ME $318.00. IN TOTAL I'VE SPENT OVER $600 THE GETTING THIS FIGURED OUT AND RESOLVED. THIS LAST BREAKDOWN PLACED MY FAMILY IN GREAT DANGER AS THERE WAS NO SAFE PLACE TO GET OFF THE ROAD (70 MPH INTERSTATE WITH LITTLE SHOULDER AND MERGING STATE HIGHWAY). THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME HAVING TO TOW THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS. I AM CERTAIN OTHERS WILL EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE AND I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT. IN MY CASE IT ALSO DISABLED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND AIRBAGS WHEN IT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

11184289

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

43,734 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 8-10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT FAILED TO INFLATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, LEG, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11175722

Incident

Jan 16, 2019

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BE EJECTED FROM HIS SEAT. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RIGHT SHOULDER INJURY AND THE LEFT ULNAR NERVE WAS SPLIT IN TWO AND WAS SMASHED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MUFFLER, THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL, THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE TRUNK, THE REAR BUMPER, AND THE STRUCTURAL FRAME BEHIND THE BUMPER'S REINFORCEMENT BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11054725

Incident

Feb 14, 2017

Mileage

35,000 mi

VEHICLE IN MOTION TRAVELING ROUGHLY 50MPH, ON RT. 9 IN NORTH BERWICK MAINE. 100 FT AHEAD A SEPARATE VEHICLE PULLED OUT ACROSS TRAFFIC. I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACT. IMPACT AREA WAS THE FRONT NOSE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ASSUMING BUT UNSURE OF SPEED AT POINT OF IMPACT, MY SEAT BELT WAS ON. THIS IS A COMPANY OWNED FLEET VEHICLE, I AM ONE OWNERS OF THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

10991119

Incident

May 18, 2017

Mileage

49,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED RIB AND BREAST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

10933702

Incident

Nov 25, 2016

Mileage

95,000 mi

JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 5 MONTHS AGO BRAND NEW WITH 14 MILES ON IT AND JUST THE OTHER DAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES FOR THE AIRBAG WAS PINCHED. I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS DONE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD HAVE HAD A 50/50 CHANCE OF THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING.

NHTSA ID

10876024

Incident

Jun 21, 2016

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 NEAR BRADENTON IN FL. 1:00 P.M. PERFECTLY CLEAR & DRY DAY. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, SENT MY FORD INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN, CAR CAME TO A STOP AT A WIRE GUARD RAIL. I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS, SO I HAVE NO RECALL. THIS HAPPENED NEAR A CONSTRUCTION AREA & ALL I REMEMBER IS TRAFFIC SLOWING, PERHAPS I WAS GOING 45-50 MPH, & IN PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT & SIDE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MY HEAD/FACE APPARENTLY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THEREFORE SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS DID NOT HOLD ME TIGHT TO THE SEAT. I WAS TAKEN TO E.R. - HAD A CONCUSSION, THEY DID LOTS OF TESTS, KEPT ME OVERNIGHT IN ICU, DISCHARGED THE NEXT DAY. ALSO, LATER I WAS TOLD BY AUTO COLLISION COMPANY & INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WAS DAMAGED & HAD APPARENTLY COME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ID

10851954

Incident

Feb 27, 2016

Mileage

2,778 mi