RoadVitals

2019 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.
11
Latest Jul 22, 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.
2%
of 571 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.
10
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
13

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 2019 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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

AirbagsEngine
Filed Jul 22, 2026

Defect in engine block causing coolant intrusion.

NHTSA ID
11752003
Incident
Jul 15, 2026
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed May 7, 2026
Crash reported

The accident occurred while I was driving south on Highway 38 at approximately 45 mph. Another driver pulled forward into my path and did not appear to see my vehicle. I attempted to swerve to avoid a more serious collision and protect both drivers, but the front driver-side area of my vehicle struck the rear driver-side area of the other vehicle. The impact caused significant front-end damage to my vehicle, particularly on the driver-side/front corner. Despite the severity of the collision and damage, my airbags did not deploy. The other vehicle’s airbags did deploy during the crash. I am concerned that the airbag system, crash sensors, or related safety components may have failed to activate properly during the collision. Due to the speed of travel and force of impact, I believe the lack of airbag deployment placed my safety at risk and could have resulted in serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. At this time, I am requesting an investigation into why the airbags did not deploy during the crash.

NHTSA ID
11736443
Incident
May 6, 2026
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was in an accident that envolved a rock wall and not 1 airbag deployed. Damage was severe enough for at least 2 should have deployed.

NHTSA ID
11733069
Incident
Apr 17, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jan 27, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 15 MPH through a yellow light on an off-ramp, another vehicle crossed the intersection at high speeds and crashed into the entire front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact however the other vehicle’s air bags did deploy. It was mentioned that the contact's husband was exempt from wearing a seat belt. The contact’s husband was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated for pain in his neck, his head impact, and back as well as soreness throughout his entire body. The contact's daughter was taken to the hospital by a fellow motorist since her service dog was not permitted on the ambulance and was treated for bruising to her right arm and hip. The other driver suffered no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance; they referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ID
11638783
Incident
Jan 24, 2025
Mileage
59,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 22, 2024
Crash reported3 injuries reported

I was stopped in traffic on a local freeway at rush hour. The vehicle behind me was slowing to a stop. An SUV did not slow down and hit the vehicle behind me at approximately 60 mph. That vehicle was flipped when the SUV collided with it. The SUV collided with me, pushing my vehicle into a van in front of me and then sending my vehicle across 3 lanes of the highway. In the initial impact, my seat back was bent backwards and twisted from the initial impact. With the second impact, I was then thrown forward and my face hit the steering column and my right side and arm hit the center console. I was wearing my seatbelt. The cabin briefly filled with smoke which may have been from the engine failure. None of the airbag deployed.

NHTSA ID
11621227
Incident
Jul 30, 2024
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

A car cut me off and I rear ended them going under 20 miles per hour. And my air bags went off and they exploded and I recieved chemical burns

NHTSA ID
11572441
Incident
Dec 15, 2023
Airbags
Filed May 10, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was in a hit and run, hit on the driver's side rear panel. 2019 Ford Escape. All side and curtain airbags deployed. The side bag in the drivers seat on the driver's has a large tear in it as well as a burn hole around 2 inches in diameter. I'm under the impression airbags are not supposed to rip or burn a large hole. As a result, I was burned on my arm and side. Also, the front driver's side curtain airbag detached immediatly after impact. No recalls for airbags on this year however you do have recalls on the 2018 and 2020 models.

NHTSA ID
11521431
Incident
Apr 30, 2023
Airbags
Filed Jan 19, 2023
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owned a 2019 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 mph and intersecting into the highway, a service van crashed into the front driver-side tire/bumper. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The contact sustained bruises on her chest due to the seat belt and her husband had deep tissue injuries from his neck to his waist. The contact and her husband sought medical attention the following Monday from their medical physician. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed towing lot. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ID
11502572
Incident
Dec 9, 2022
Mileage
58,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2021
Crash reported

MY WIFE WAS SIDE SWIPED IN OUR 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG CAUGHT THE LEFT SLEEVE ON FIRE. SHE WAS SITTING STILL AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT WHEN SHE WAS SIDE SWIPED.

NHTSA ID
11387833
Incident
Jan 11, 2021
Mileage
23,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed May 13, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHEN THE HILL ASSIST MODE INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT BEING ON A HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO ENGAGE, CAUSING HER TO IMPACT THE DASHBOARD/RADIO WITH HER HEAD. THE CONTACT STATED MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE LOST CONSCIENCES AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS A TINGLING SENSATION IN BOTH LEGS AND HAS LOST SENSATION IN BOTH ARMS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER RAMP MOTORS (4869 NESCONSET HWY, PORT JEFFERSON STATION, NY 11776, (631) 473-1550) AND HAS LEFT A VOICEMAIL OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,623.

NHTSA ID
11324414
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
8,623 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 28, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

IN A HEAD ON COLLUSION, HE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS WHEREAS I ONE OF THE INCIDENTS FACIAL INJURY AND CHEST INJURY OCCURRED AS A RESULT

NHTSA ID
11258701
Incident
Sep 27, 2019

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .