1999 Ford Taurus Airbags Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A DEER CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CONDITIONS OF THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA ID

10468471

Incident

Jul 25, 2012

Mileage

167,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 10TH, 2008, MY FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY SHATTERED, LEAVING A HOLE IN IT'S CENTER AND "CRACKLING" THE REMAINING PART OF THE WINDOW, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE THROUGH IT. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES (THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME) CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT 90 DEGREES AND SLAM HEAD FIRST INTO AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY BOX. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN AROUND WHICH DROVE IT OVER AN ISLAND IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD AND INTO A ROAD SIGN AND WHILE STILL SPINNING, SMASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE NEXT TO THE UTILITY BOX. DURING THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT, I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND WAS NOT AWARE WHAT THE CAR WAS HITTING OR WHAT DIRECTION IT WAS MOVING. WHEN THE CAR HIT THE UTILITY BOX, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH. AFTER REBOUNDING FROM THE UTILITY BOX INTO THE CENTER ISLAND AND SPINNING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I HIT THE UTILITY POLE, THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO REST. DURING THE SPINNING AND HITTING AND BOUNCING (A LIGHT WORD FOR WHAT WAS HAPPENING) THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON MY 1999 FORD TAURUS SE FAILED TO HOLD ME SECURELY AGAINST MY SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IT HAS NOW BEEN 49 WEEKS SINCE THIS HAPPENED AND AFTER MANY COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN MYSELF AND ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD IN LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2005 AS A PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT, AND CORRESPONDENCE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. IN DEARBORNE, MICHIGAN, TO WHOM I SENT ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTS AND COPIES OF LETTERS TO AV FORD RE: THE 4 TIMES I TRIED TO GET THEM TO FIX AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAUSING IT TO PULL RIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER "CAR WILL ALWAYS PULL TO RIGHT DUE TO FRONT WHEEL DRIVE TORQUE". I ASKED FOR MY $5,000.00 DOWN PAYMENT AND RELEASE FROM THE CONTRACT. I WAS IGNORED. FORD MOTOR CO. SAID NOT ENOUGH IMPACT FOR AIRBAGS. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED. I NOW KNOW THE COMPUTER MODULE FOR AIRBAG USE WAS NEVER SET, BUT NO DASH WARNING LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256312

Incident

Feb 10, 2008

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS HINDERED BY DUST FROM THE LARGE STREET SWEEPING VEHICLES. SHE DID NOT SEE THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED NUMEROUS BRUISES AND SWELLING. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10238867

Incident

Aug 15, 2008

Mileage

140,000 mi

DESIGN DEFECT/SAFETY DEFECT. MY SON JUST RECEIVED HIS DRIVER'S PERMIT AND HAS RECENTLY BEEN DRIVING MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. I PLANNED TO GIVE HIM THIS CAR AND THEN PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR WHEN HE TURNS 16. IN ADJUSTING THE TILT STEERING WHEEL, IT CAUSED THE WIRING MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS TO BREAK. APPARENTLY, WHEN THE WIRE BROKE IT TOUCHED METAL AND SHORTED OUT MY SYSTEM. THUS, I DON'T HAVE THE USE OF MY AIR BAGS AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST $800 TO FIX. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IF THERE IS A RISK OF A WIRE BREAKING WHEN YOU USE YOUR TILT STEERING WHEEL THAT RENDERS YOU AIR BAGS USELESS AND THEREBY NOT HAVING THE BENEFIT OF AN AIR BAG IN A CRASH. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN DEFECT! *TR

NHTSA ID

10225235

Incident

Apr 19, 2008

Mileage

111,000 mi

ROUNDED A CURVE AND REALIZED THE ONCOMING CAR WAS IN MY LANE. STEERED LEFT TO AVOID ONCOMING CAR AT THE SAME TIME THE OPPOSING DRIVER CORRECTED. STEERED TO THE RIGHT AND WENT INTO A SPIN. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. ONCE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING AND I HAD TO STEER IT TO SAFETY WITHOUT BEING ABOUT TO SEE AROUND THE AIRBAG. THERE WAS NO IMPACT BEFORE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224774

Incident

Apr 16, 2008

Mileage

138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED IT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO OBJECTS THAT SHE COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THE CRASH OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008. THE SEAT BELTS DIDN'T ENGAGE TO KEEP HER FROM HITTIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 67,473. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10222418

Incident

Feb 10, 2008

Mileage

67,473 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1999 FORD TAURUS AT 40 MPH IT CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 100,000. MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10184988

Incident

Mar 8, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 8/16/2006 - THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE AIR BAG MONITOR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10163481

Incident

Jul 26, 2006

Mileage

26,705 mi

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT AT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10103325

Incident

Dec 6, 2004

Mileage

102,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS HIT AT AN ESTIMATED 50 MPH BY A DRIVER WHO BLEW A RED LIGHT. IT WAS HIGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN THIS CRASH. IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE MADE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IF THEY HAD NOT DEPLOYED. HOWEVER I WAS ADVISED THAT A REPORT SHOULD BE MADE TO NHTSA. *JB

NHTSA ID

10074763

Incident

May 29, 2004

Mileage

32,411 mi

THE VEHICLE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AT 54000. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AND THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM *MR

NHTSA ID

10057380

Incident

Feb 2, 2004

Mileage

54,241 mi

1999 FORD TAURUS SE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST AND RIB PAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *PH

NHTSA ID

10050228

Incident

Jun 5, 2003

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS HIT WHILE DRIVING AND THE AUTOMOBILE SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES THEN HIT A POLE. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS AIR BAG BURST OPEN AND A WHITE SUBSTANCE CAME OUT OF IT. PLEASE GIVE RESPONSE IN REGARDING AIR BAGS. *CB *JB

NHTSA ID

10033670

Incident

Mar 21, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ID

10024015

Incident

Jun 30, 2003

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT AIR BAG PROBLEMS. STATED THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF THE DEALER, AND WAS UNABLE TO .*AK

NHTSA ID

10029590

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. AS I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OM APARTMENT, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE BUMPED THE CURVE AND TRIGGERED MY AIR BAGS, WHICH IN TURN EXPLODED AND CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE. THE FORD CERTIFIED DEALER IN MY AREA WAS UNABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. AND WHEN I CALLED FORD THE LADY ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY FELT IT SHOULD, BUT NOT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING FROM A <1MPH IMPACT OF A TIRE INTO A CURB. FORD INSISTED THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS HAS REALLY BEEN HARD ON ME CONSIDERING MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS HESITANT TO COVER THE INCIDENT BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THEM NO COLLISION OCCURED FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. HOWEVER, MY INSURANCE COMPANY FINALLY ACCEPTED CLAIM. ALTHOUGH IN RETURN MY RATES HAVE WENT UP AND I HAD TO TAKE A LOAN OF $500 TO COVER THE DEDUCTIBLE. EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAS BEEN RESISTANT TO HELP ME. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU OR I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH FORD? THIS INCIDENT I MUST NOTE IS NOT THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A 1999 FORD TAURUS 92,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10008055

Incident

Jan 17, 2003

Mileage

91,500 mi

WHEN REAR ENDED AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SHATTERING FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR *TT *NLM

NHTSA ID

8021424

Incident

Nov 28, 2001

Mileage

15,016 mi

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ALL DAY. COULD CAUSE PREMATURE OR NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE DEALER FEELS IT IS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THE DEALER IS UNSURE BUT, SUGGESTS THAT THE MODULE AND SENSOR BE REPLACED. FORD IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BECAUSE IT IS OVER THE WARRANTY. *JG

NHTSA ID

8015713

Incident

Aug 4, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT FROM BACK THEN HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NLM

NHTSA ID

8007993

Incident

Apr 16, 2002

AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. HAS NOT WORKED SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. ALARM FOR AIRBAG CONTINUES TO GO OFF. DID NOT HAVE BULB IN AIRBAG LIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT FUSE BOX, AIR CONDITIONER MANIFOLD ALSO FAILED. *AK *TT

NHTSA ID

8006931

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHILE TRAVELING 48 MPH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND NECK INJURIES WHEN THROWN INTO THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

8001524

Incident

Dec 20, 2001

WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD A HOLE IN IT WHICH CAUSED PASSENGER MINOR INJURIES BECAUSE IT WAS NOT FULLY DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON.*AK

NHTSA ID

8000681

Incident

Dec 2, 2001

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION INTO A TREE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

897936

Incident

Oct 12, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH,ANOTHER CAR RAN DRIVER OFF THE ROAD AND HIT CURVE ON FRONT LEFT TIRE. AIRBAG WENT OFF, BUT NOT WHEN CURVE WAS HIT, BUT A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER. *AK

NHTSA ID

878548

Incident

Jan 7, 2001

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID

877500