2020 Ford Escape Airbags Problems

A nagging seat belt monitoring fault occurred with this vehicle. After researching this particular problem, I found that it is a well known issue to Ford (over several forums and owners websites), which is caused by a seat belt sensor. This fault comes up as a rear seat belt fault, but it is actually the driver's front seat belt sensor that is the problem. This fault causes the airbags to be turned off which poses a danger to any occupant in the vehicle if it is involved in an accident. This sensor has gone bad in hundreds of vehicle spanning over several different models and years.(this is taken directly from NHTS's metadata) The part number is LJ6Z-7861203-BC (specifically the left/front driver-side buckle end). It is used in the following vehicle models: Ford Escape: Model years 2020–2025 (including Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants). Ford Bronco Sport: Model years 2021–2025. Ford Maverick: Model years 2022–2025 (including Hybrid variants; specifically for units built from February 27, 2024, onwards as a direct replacement for earlier suffixes). Ford Mustang Mach-E: Model years 2021–2023.This part supersedes previous versions LJ6Z-7861203-AA, LJ6Z-7861203-BA, and LJ6Z-7861203-BB. Versions of parts are usually only superseded due to problems with the original part. Did NHTSA seriously never cross reference their own materials?

NHTSA ID

11752710

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact’s husband stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle unexpectedly cut in front of the vehicle, resulting in a collision. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. The contact stated that upon impact, the driver-side air bags failed to deploy; however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the collision occurred. A police report was filed, but the report number was unavailable. The contact’s husband did not receive immediate medical attention at the scene. The contact’s husband later sought treatment at an emergency room. The contact's husband suffered an chest and knee injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA ID

11739062

Incident

May 20, 2026

Mileage

39,000 mi

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated that, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's seat air bags inadvertently deployed. As a result, the contact's attention was briefly diverted away from the roadway, causing her to collide with the rear of another vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility, but had yet to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by and friend and treated for chest pain. Emergency room doctors performed various tests, including a X-ray and an EKG. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11699040

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

The vehicle has two indicator lamp warnings. One warning for a rear seatbelt monitor fault and one warning for the driver's seatbelt monitor fault. When these seatbelt monitor faults occur the airbags throughout the vehicle are no longer operational. The safety risk of not having operational airbags is extremely high and puts all passengers at risk of serious harm or death. The vehicle is currently at a local Ford dealership undergoing diagnostic testing.

NHTSA ID

11653436

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

My entire passenger side airbags deployed with no passenger present in car. The car has a sensor stating when someone is not there they should be off.

NHTSA ID

11560812

Incident

Dec 10, 2023

I lost my ability to steer my vehicle. I attempted to step on the brakes and nothing happened. I hit a box truck in front of me going at least 30mph and only my shin airbag deployed.

NHTSA ID

11539046

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

I was in an accident on March 18 around 10 pm eastern time. I was t-boned and the side air bag never deployed. I have also since had issues with my powertrain light coming on and the vehicle loosing power.

NHTSA ID

11521111

Incident

May 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a right turn, another vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained whiplash and neck pain. The contact had not sought medical attention. The contact stated that upon attempting to open the front driver's door, the door failed to open immediately. The contact then pushed the door with excessive force and it opened. The contact related the failure to Ford Technical Service Bulletin Number: 22-2246. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's grand-son met her at the scene and assisted her with driving the vehicle to a nearby autobody center. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired for air bags and door failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,700.

NHTSA ID

11506390

Incident

Dec 4, 2022

Mileage

12,700 mi

I was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck in Gallup, NM on 12/3/21. We hit the truck mid-section. Front of my Escape was pretty much destroyed. Our airbags did NOT deploy. Mine and my husbands safety was at risk due to the failure of the airbags to deploy in the crash. Vehicle is at the Ford Dealer in Gallup, NM waiting for State Farm to determine the next steps. I had no prior warnings or indications that the airbags were not functional.

NHTSA ID

11443283

Incident

Dec 3, 2021

I was at a red light behind 4 cars, when as I look into the rearview mirror when I saw a white van coming at me at cruising speed. As I turned the steering wheel to the left, purposely trying to avoid the vehicle in front of me, the white van slammed into me and caused me to hit my head on the steering wheel and the window. I had my seat belt on, but I was hit so hard that the car frame was bent and I was hurt. I was informed that the reason not one of my airbags went off in the front of my car was, I was hit in the rear. If I would have let my car hit the car in front of me, I would have been protected by the airbags in the front. This is a serious issue and this complaint is to request the NTSB look into requiring all vehicles to have sensors throught out the car to keep drivers and passangers should remain as steady

NHTSA ID

11429813

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

12/26/2020 HEAD-ON COLLISION, MOST IMPACT TO PASSENGER FRONT SIDE - PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOYED - INJURIES SUSTAINED BY PASSENGER AND DRIVER. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON CITY STREET (50 MPH ZONE).*DT*DT*DT*DT*DT

NHTSA ID

11386920

Incident

Dec 26, 2020

Mileage

3,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. DURING THE CRASH FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE COLLISION ASSISTANCE SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT ACTIVATE TO AVOID THE CRASH. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED CHEST WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER ROYAL OAK FORD LOCATED AT 27550 WOODWARD AVE, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067. AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ID

11342512

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

2,000 mi