RoadVitals

2004 Ford Taurus 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 Mar 13, 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.
6%
of 375 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.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
16

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 2004 Ford Taurus 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

AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Mar 13, 2026

Airbags seats and seatbelts useless for 6'8" 375lbs adult man. I sit within 6" of the steering wheel airbag the seatbelt goes across my bicep not my shoulder and the seat itself only goes up to the middle of my back, the head rest is between my shoulders. Why is there no exemption for giants and airbags and seatbelts? By having these "safety features" in my vehicle, my life is put in more danger than other people that are normal sized. If I ever get into an accident and the airbags or seatbelt injure me I will be suing you for forcing me to use these dangerous for me things. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL WHEN YOU ARE A GIANT, and your regulations make being in a car more deadly to me.

NHTSA ID
11724033
Incident
Mar 13, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jul 15, 2024
Crash reported1 death reported

On June 23, 2024 this 2004 Ford Taurus was in a front end collision at freeway speeds of 60 mph or higher. The driver airbag did not deploy and the driver died as a result of severe trauma to head and chest.

NHTSA ID
11602400
Incident
Jun 23, 2024
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Dec 24, 2019
Crash reported3 injuries reported

THE BRAKES ARE DANGEROUS AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS MESSED UP, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL FRONT TIRES DUE TO UNBALANCING ISSUES AND POPPING NOISES WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND ON EVEN ROADS THAT HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I HAD A BAD HEAD ON WRECK AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M CONCERNED THEY WILL DEPLOY AT ANY MOMENT.

NHTSA ID
11291126
Incident
Oct 3, 2019
Mileage
218,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jan 5, 2017

OWNER HEALTH WOULD NOT PERMIT TO CALLING IN COMPLAINT. NOW HAS NEW OWNER.

NHTSA ID
10940023
Incident
Dec 16, 2008
Airbags
Filed May 4, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON APRIL 30 2015 I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE SPEED LIMIT WHERE 50 MPH ON THAT ROAD. THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY CAR IS SMASHED IN FROM THE FORCE OF HOW HARD HE HIT ME AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY CAR SPUN 180. I WAS FACING THE WAY I WAS COMING FROM. I GOT A SPRAINED KNEE AND SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714445
Incident
Apr 30, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 12, 2015
Crash reported

OTHER CAR WAS APPROACHING HEAD ON I SWERVED TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION GOING 45 MPH FLEW INTO A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY HIT THEIR PARKED VAN WHICH SPUN SIDE WAYS. MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE WORKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671887
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
173,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WAS ONE INJURY SUSTAINED. THE SPECIFICS OF HOW THE CRASH OCCURRED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10638559
Incident
Sep 9, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 14, 2014

I WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH A NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK IT TO BYLER FORD IN LOUISVILLE KY. CURRENTLY I DO NOT HAVE THE DATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF IT WAS NOT REPLACED THE AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK OR THE AIRBAG WILL GO OFF BY ITSELF. I REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING AT A COST OF OVER $400.00. THE NOISE HAS RETURNED. I HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SERVICE CHECK TO SEE WITH WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THEY SAID THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE 2004 FORD TAURUS. THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CLOCK SPRING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $400.00 TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE $400.00 AGAIN FOR A DEFECTIVE SAFETY PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588418
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SOUTHGATE FORD ON MARCH 15, 2013, TO HAVE THEM ANALYZE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH CAME ON DURING THE WEEK. I DRIVE ONLY A FEW MILES PER WEEK BUT DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE WITH THIS WARNING. SOUTHGATE FORD TURNED ME AWAY ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO RETURN ON MONDAY, MARCH 18TH STATING: "THEY ARE TOO BUSY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OF LITTLE CONCERN AND TO RETURN ON MONDAY". WITHIN 2 MILES OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP HEADING NORTH ON FORT STREET, I WAS UNABLE TO BRING THE 2004 FORD TAURUS TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. THE TAURUS ENGINE RACED AND ROARED AT OVER 4,000 RPMS AND REACHED SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. I TRIED TO BRAKE WITH ONE FOOT AND THEN TWO FEET. THE BRAKES COULD NOT BRING THE TAURUS TO A STOP AND IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE PUSHING BACK TOWARD ME. I SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND CROSSED OVER THE MEDIAN TO SOUTHBOUND FORT STREET. I ATTEMPTED TO REACH A PARKING LOT TO AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE AND ROAR. THE BRAKES COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. I MISSED THE ENTRANCE OF THE PARKING LOT BY A FEW FEET AND HIT THE CURB. THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE CURB THREW MY BODY TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD UNTIL IT HIT THE BRICK BUILDING IN THE LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 47 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN THIS HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A BRICK BUILDING. I HAVE SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM MY LEFT EAR DOWN TO MY KNEES AND MULITPLE FRACTURES IN MY RIGHT WRIST. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO HAVE RECALL NOTICES ISSUED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10503946
Incident
Mar 15, 2013
Mileage
20,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 27, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

AIR BAGS ON 2004 FORD TAURUS DID NOT DEPOLY ON FRONTAL IMPACT AT APPOX. 45MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367988
Incident
Jul 3, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 30, 2010
Crash reported

STOPPED FOR VEHICLE A THAT WAS TURNING - VEHICLE C CAME FROM BEHIND AND PLOWED MY 2004 FORD TAURUS SE INTO THE VEHICLE A . VEHICLE C WAS A LARGE F250 TRUCK TRAVELING ON MAIN HIGHWAY. MY FORD TAURUS WAS IMPACTED FROM REAR AND FRONT IMPACT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS IN THE ACCIDENT . SEPT, 2010. THE REAR FRAME SURROUNDING THE TRUNK WAS BENT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WAS DAMAGED HEAVILY. THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY FROM FRONT AND REAR IMPACT. A VEHICLE THAT WE PURCHASED FOR THIS SPECIFIC SAFETY FEATURE AND PAID EXTRA FOR FAILED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10358432
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
116,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 4, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER OF 2006. ANOTHER CAR FAILED TO YIELD TO ME ON A GREEN LIGHT AND WE COLLIDED. THE IMPACT OF THIS ACCIDENT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO BRUISE MY INTERNAL ORGANS YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I ASKED THE FORD COLLISION CENTER WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND 2 STAFF TOLD ME, " YOU DID NOT HIT IT RIGHT." ONE OF THE REASONS I LEASED A FORD TAURUS WAS ITS SAFETY FEATURES AND ITS HIGH SAFETY RATING. I DID NOT KEEP THIS CAR AND WHEN IT WAS DUE TO BE RETURNED, I DID NOT CHOOSE ANOTHER FORD. I WENT TO 5 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND TOLD THEM WHAT FORD HAD SAID ABOUT WHY THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AND NOT ONE OF THEM HAD EVER HEARD OF SUCH A COMMENT. I STILL HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM MY INJURIES IN THIS ACCIDENT AND WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE PUBLIC NOT TO RELY ON THE SAFETY OF AIRBAGS IN THIS CAR IF "YOU HAVE TO HIT THE OTHER CAR IN A CERTAIN WAY." THIS IS A FALSE SECURITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE IN AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204836
Incident
Dec 6, 2006
Airbags
Filed May 2, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15800, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16038. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, DAMAGING BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, NECK INJURIES, AND BRUISES ON HER LEFT SIDE. AT 16,038 MILES WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY A VEHICLE AT 45 MPH THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED OUT AND SUFFERED ANOTHER HEAD CONCUSSION AND FACIAL BRUISES AROUND EYES BECAUSE HER FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP, AND THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189553
Incident
Mar 29, 2007
Mileage
15,800 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 13, 2006
Crash reported

ON APRIL 6TH MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN HER 2004 FORD TAURUS. SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT 6 CONCRETE BLOCK PILLARS AND WOODEN FENCE. SHE HIT THESE PRIMARILY WITH THE FRONT BUMPER OF HER VEHICLE YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHOULD IT?? *JB

NHTSA ID
10155309
Incident
Apr 6, 2006
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT*: WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF BLACK ICE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE, AND THEN CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT HIS HEAD WENT COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. HE SUSTAINED FACE AND HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10146108
Incident
Dec 25, 2005
Mileage
49,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 15, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

REAR ENDED A VEHICHLE, SHOWED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, STEERING WHEEL OPEND UP BUT BAG DID NOT DEPLOY OR INFLATE, CHARGE BUT DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ID
10120952
Incident
May 14, 2005
Mileage
45,500 mi
Airbags
Filed May 12, 2005

I HAD AN AFTER MARKET RADIO INSTALLED IN MY CAR. ONCE I PICKED UP MY CAR I NOTICIED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OCALA LINCOLN-MERCURY IN OCALA FLORIDA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WENT THROUGH THE RADIO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS NO LONGER WORK. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WOULD BE ABOUT 800.00 DOLLARS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER A DESIGN FEATURE. I F I HAD TO REPLACETHE RADIO EVEN IF IT DOES NOT WORK I COULD NOT DO THE REPLACEMENT I WOULD HAVE TO FIND AN ORIGINAL RADIO OR LIVE WITHOUT ONE. MY ISSUE IS THE STUPID DESIGN OF PLACING AN AIR BAG MODULE IN THE RADIO AND THAT I DO NOT HAVE AIR BAGS NOW. FORD TOLD ME THAT SINCE I REPLACED THE RADIO IT IS ON ME.

NHTSA ID
10120741
Incident
May 7, 2005
Airbags
Filed May 3, 2005
Crash reported

CONTACT STATES: APPARENT FAILURE OF AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S WIFE AND SON REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DISENGAGED BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY CHARGED BUT DID NOT ACTUALLY COME OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10119602
Incident
Apr 29, 2005
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

COLLISION ON 01/17/05 I WAS A PASSENGER, MY HUSBAND DRIVING. OUR 2004 FORD TAURUS WAS IN COLLISION WITH A HORSE, THE HORSE CAME THROUGH WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE. IN ALL PROBABILITY TOTALED MY CAR. PENDING INSURANCE ADJUSTER DECISION. THE AIRBAG DID NOT RELEASE. I WAS INJURED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT RELEASE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE BUMPER HAD TO BE HIT TO MAKE IT GO OFF. FROM THE TOP OF BUMPER ALL THE WAY TO MIDDLE OF ROOF CAVED AND SHATTERED. IF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO RELEASE, I FEEL THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS NOT AWARE OF THIS MISREPRESENTATION. I THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF SOMETHING THAT IS JUST AN ADDITIONAL FIXTURE THEY PAID FOR, NOT A SAFETY FEATURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10107772
Incident
Jan 17, 2005
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE FRONT BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10105333
Incident
Dec 17, 2004
Mileage
17,200 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 8, 2004

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AS A RESULT, AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE AND WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10092037
Incident
Sep 14, 2004

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 .