RoadVitals

2017 Ford Escape Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jul 2, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 2,654 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
18
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
26

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2026

My vehicle was towed back to the dealership to have the transmission replaced, under warranty. After confirming the failure and warranty, I was informed, by emailed service order, that the airbag light was illuminated.it also listed the cost to diagnose the light and that I declined this "recommended service". What I said was that I absolutely wanted it diagnosed and addressed. What I declined were the charges they were quoting as the light came on while they had my vehicle-to replace my previously replaced transmission, 100% under warranty. I finally got the dealership to email me a printout/workorder so I could see what repairs have been completed. Re:Airbag light: says I stated the light was on, the tech got it to come on, that I declined a time of original transmission diagnostic; light is off now, they’re unable to replicate, listed as "intermittent airbag fault”, may come back on and would require additional diagnostic fee and repair cost.

NHTSA ID
11748087
Incident
Jun 26, 2026
Airbags
Filed Dec 6, 2025

Passenger side dash is seperating round the airbag area

NHTSA ID
11703483
Incident
Dec 1, 2025
Airbags
Filed Jun 4, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger's side front end of the vehicle hit a cow and was significantly damaged. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated after the crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and back pain, and bruises on the chest from the seat belt. The contact received medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop. A police report was filed but the contact did not have the police report information available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11664902
Incident
May 26, 2025
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2024

On [XXX], I was driving on the left lane of freeway [XXX] All of a sudden curtain airbags (both sides) deployed for no reason. The force/impact of the airbags felt like something extremely heavy or big landed on top of the roof. My vehicle slowed down automatically and then went into crash mode and was unable to start/drive. I stepped outside to look at my vehicle and not a scratch or dent was on my vehicle. I was not in an accident or anything. Was alarming/unsafe because I was on the freeway during [XXX] which is busy at that time so I could have been in a massive wreck and if I had my 4month old in the vehicle she would have been crushed/dead. On [XXX] my vehicle was inspected by silverrock and they denied the claim being "outside influence". At that time my vehicle was at Clover's Collison (still is) and the owner ran diagnostics. From 2/16-2/21 I have been reaching out to Carvana/Silverrock and trying to have them take care of this for me but they did nothing. I called my Progressive Insurance on 2/21 and they sent an inspector out as well and on 2/23 they did not find anything that could have caused the airbags to deploy. I called Ford Customer Service/recall department to ask regarding a recall on this vehicle and nothing has been reported with this model. I am currently having Clovers Collison (easpointe) repair the vehicle out of my pocket ($6,000) since insurance/warranty/carvana is doing nothing to help with this case. I need to be able to drive and Carvana/Silverrock have put me in a huge/massive bind to where I need this vehicle to go to/from work. Driving from Saint Clair Shores, MI to Novi, MI everyday. *No check engine lights, or any warning signs on my dash before this happened* INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11573916
Incident
Feb 9, 2024
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 1, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

My son and I hit a deer and his back passenger seat seatbelt didn’t lock and my air bag light came on but they never deployed

NHTSA ID
11553078
Incident
Oct 17, 2023
Airbags
Filed May 3, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH the contact struck another vehicle in the middle of the passenger side, causing front-end damages to the contact's vehicle and the passenger side of the other vehicle. No air bags deploy. The seat belt retracted against the contact's chest causing the pacemaker in the contact’s chest to be pushed back, and the contact glasses broke during the impact. The contact sought medical attention to make sure the pacemaker was not damaged; the other driver was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11520250
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
Mileage
20,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 22, 2022
Crash reported

I was in an accident 12/24/2021due to other parties at fault, and my air bags did not deploy. The diagnostic with the collision Calliber (78216 zip code) reflected there was a faulty air bag and should have deployed . I suffered neck and back injuries. Half a year later my entire AC compressor needed to be replaced a month later my Entire engine needs to be replaced (8700 price). I’ve only had this car over a year and work remotely. I have under 50k miles on this car and have had so many dangerous And unfortunate high cost issues. The

NHTSA ID
11480634
Incident
Dec 24, 2021
Airbags
Filed Mar 9, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE/BUMPER AREA BY A CAR EST AT 30MPH WHILE I WAS GOING LESS THAN 10MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ANYWHERE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY CAR IS TOTALED. BRAND NEW ENGINE PUT IN APPROX 1000MILES AGO AND WONDERING IF SENSORS GOT THROWN OFF? TOW DRIVER, POLICE AND TOW LOT COULDN'T BELIEVE NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AS I WAS SHOCKED AS WELL.*DT

NHTSA ID
11400041
Incident
Mar 8, 2021
Mileage
67,660 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HE HIT A STONE WALL APPROXIMATELY FIVE FOOT TALL AT 30-40MPH. THE ONLY AIR BAG THAT WENT OFF WAS THE STEERING WHEEL. HIS VEHICLE HIT THE WALL IN THE SAME APPROXIMATE SPOT THAT THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY TEST (CENT1622) HIT THE TEST WALL. IN THEIR TEST THE SIDE AIR BAG CURTAINS WENT OFF. IN MY SONS ACCIDENT PER THE VIDEOS, RELATED SPEED AND LOCATION OF IMPACT. THE AIR BAG CURTAINS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF WHICH WOULD HAVE SAVED HIM FROM A LIFETIME DISABILITY. BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SPACE I CAN NOT LOAD MORE PICTURES OR VIDEOS OF THE TEST VEHICLES. THIS IS ONE LINK TO A TEST CRASH: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NZ_RHEJN3US

NHTSA ID
11365043
Incident
May 9, 2020
Mileage
59,232 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE SUV WAS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65 MPH) BY A TOW TRUCK AND FORCED HEAD ON INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, REAR AND ALL CORNERS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FOR NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AND CONTINUES TO BE TREATED FOR THE SAME INJURIES

NHTSA ID
11342918
Incident
Jul 25, 2020
Mileage
47,634 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jul 31, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A PARKING POLE. AS A RESULT, THE POLE DETACHED, MOVED 11 MILLIMETERS AND FELL ON TOP OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED. DURING THE INCIDENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID
11342515
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
36,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 19, 2020
Crash reported6 injuries reported

MY CAR WENT TO AN ACCIDENT LAST FEBRUARY 14,2017 AND MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS RUNNING ON A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND HIT ANOTHER CAR AND MY CAR SPIN 360 DEGREES THEN ANOTHER CAR HIT MY CAR AND MADE MY CAR STOP FROM SPINNING. DESPITE THE IMPACT, MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID
11310170
Incident
Feb 14, 2020
Mileage
56,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 27, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE COLLISION OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A POP SOUND. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS 50 MPH AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH VEHICLE'S WERE TOWED AWAY. THE DAMAGE WAS SEVERE TO THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THINK'S THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WRECKAGE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT YET DETERMINED IF IT WOULD BE DECLARED TOTALED. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11302178
Incident
Jan 25, 2020
Mileage
81,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Dec 2, 2019

AIR BAG AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON. DEALERSHIP FOUND RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE REPORT BACK IN 2014 CAMPAIGN #14V597000. SEEMS ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ID
11286437
Incident
Nov 25, 2019
Mileage
71,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 9, 2019
Crash reportedFire reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE EXITING A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A STOP SIGN AND A POLE, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. INSTEAD, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OUTWARDLY, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWED. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, BUT THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE TAKATA MANUFACTURER, BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11194865
Incident
Nov 30, 2018
Airbags
Filed Apr 8, 2019
Crash reported

AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE FROM REAR END ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11194672
Incident
Apr 5, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 28, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT 45 MPH WHEN ANOTHER CAR CUT IN FRONT OF ME AND WE CONNECTED. I PUSHED HER CAR OVER A STOP SIGN. MY FACE AND BODY HIT THE DRIVERS WINDOW CAUSING A NECK AND BACK INJURY AND 9000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR THAT HAD 2300 MILES ON IT LAST JAN. 17TH. WHY DID MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF TO PROTECT ME?

NHTSA ID
11122938
Incident
Jan 17, 2018
Mileage
2,300 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

FRONT COLLISION CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FRONT SIDE NOTHING. ON FREEWAY GOING WEST 70 MILES PER HOUR WAS CUT OFF WHILE BRAKING RAN INTO BACK OF PARKED FULL SIZE SUV OUT OF GAS IN THE MEDIUM OFF THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11062542
Incident
Dec 22, 2017
Mileage
25,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 5, 2017
Crash reported3 injuries reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THREE VEHICLE CRASH NOVEMBER 20, 2017. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN LIGHT AND WAS IMPACTED ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ROTATED/ROLLED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS INCIDENT. VEHICLE HAD OVER $28K WORTH DO DAMAGE INCLUDING SIGNIFICANT FRAME AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE STUFFED EXTREME BRUISING, A CONCUSSION AND LOSS OF SKIN FROM IMPACTING INSIDE SIDES OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11052664
Incident
Nov 20, 2017
Mileage
12,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 31, 2017
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND CONTUSION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND A SCRAPED ELBOW, AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND COLLAR BONE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,296.

NHTSA ID
10969821
Incident
Mar 5, 2017
Mileage
16,296 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2016
Crash reported4 injuries reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN A 5 CAR PILE UP ON AN EXPRESS WAY TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND HAD MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND CONCUSSIONS FROM WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ID
10916044
Incident
Sep 27, 2016
Mileage
4,100 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .