10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 13
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 17,752 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
My mother and I were driving to my grandparents house when she hit a baby deer going about 35 mph. I was 12 years old at the time and sitting in the front seat. The airbags deployed hitting me in right side of the face. My teeth went into my lip, and I had burn marks from the airbag on my cheekbones, and chin, also my right eye was swollen shut the next day. I was taken to the emergency room where the police officer informed my mother that the airbags should not have deployed. He said the airbags were so sensitive that he could have kicked the bumper and they would have went off. My mother only received a broken finger from where her hands were resting on the steering wheel.
- Conneaut Lake, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Escort. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the air bag light illuminated and smoke emitted from under the dashboard. The contact maneuvered to the shoulder and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's home. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the dashboard was melting. The fire department appeared on the scene to disconnect the battery. The contact noticed there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 02V323000 (air bags:frontal:sensor/control module) and planned on contacting the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.
- Ocean Springs, MS, USA
Air bag control diagnostic module shorted out due to ruptured heater core. When I spoke with the local dealership they told me to contact a local junk yard. There is a recall on this item. I never received a recall notice.
- Mt. Airy, NC, USA
Have a recall letter for air bag light, and took vehicle to dealership service dept to have it fixed. The number on the recall was 02S44, they supposedly fixed it, but went, and got in the vehicle and the light was flashing again. Hadn't even left the lot. Now they want to charge consumer to have it hooked up to a diagnostic machine.
- St Augustine, FL, USA
Consumer receive recall notice 02-S44 replacement of air bags. Dealer failed to repair the recall. Consumer informed mechanic that the SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer stated that the light was not on before recall repairs were done. Service manager tammy.
- Lockport, NY, USA
Nar 04/28/2003 mr the consumer recieved safety recall #(02S44) regarding air bag monitors. Prior to that the consumer experienced problems with the air bag light flashing on, the vehicle was taken to have repairs made and it cost over $500 for a problem that may have already existed in reference to the recall.
- Pasadena, CA, USA
My client, akruaria wright was driving her 1997 Ford Escort LX sedan South on ga hwy 300, when both the driver and passenger airbags spontaneously deployed. As noted in the police report, there was no contact or impact with any object or vehicle. The road that she was on is a major road; it is paved and in excellent condition. Upon deploying, the airbags forced the dash up and busted the windshield. The airbags, as they deployed, made contact with Ms. Wright's face, arms, hands, and chest. On her face, arms, and hands she suffered minor burns from the contact. She also has suffered cervical and thoracic strain from the contact. At this time, the car is still waiting to be repaired. I have contacted the Ford Motor Company in dearborn, mi, but as of now I have not had a response.
- Albany, GA, USA
Vehicle fire involving 1997 Ford Escort. After incident occurred a recall was issued advising a manufacturer defect in air bags and air bag modules. However the vehicle was unable to drive because of severe damages so the dealership voided the recall. The consumer felt that Ford re -actions where unacceptable, and is requesting to be reimbursed for the loss due to manufacturer defect. The safety recall letter issued is (O2S44). Please investigate.
- Bossier City, LA, USA
Last Thursday my husbands 1997 Ford Escort caught fire, and we think it was because of a faulty air bag sensor. It had been previously recalled, and we took it to the local Ford dealer and had the problem corrected. But everything that happened fell in exactly with what the recall letter said would happen if we didn't get it fixed. We would like this matter further investigated because we feel that the Ford dealership only installed another faulty air bag sensor into our car instead of fixing it like they were supposed to. Neither my husband or I were injuried when the car caught fire, but that was only by the grace of god. If we can prevent this from happening to someone else then we should.
- Russellville, KY, USA
Consumer stated when vehicle was purchased 3 months ago air bag light was on and later went off. On December 22, 2003, the airbag light came on upon starting, and then air bags deployed, and smoke began to come out of the dash. Vehicle caught on fire and was totaled. The fire department stated fire was due to a short in a wire.
- Springville, AL, USA
Vehicle's air bags deployed and dashboard caught on fire while parked in a local garage. The air bag light was coming on and off the remained on. Consumer allowed the vehicle to cool after smelling smoke. A trooper recommended having the vehicle towed. The vehicle was at a local garage locked up when the fire occurred. The windshield shattered due to the hot temperature. The fire dept. Found the vehicle was under recall for defective air bags.
- Watertown, NY, USA
While driving at 50 mph vehicle was involved in a head on collision, and air bags did not deploy. However, two weeks later while vehicle was parked, air bags deployed inadvertently.
- Orlando, FL, USA
Air bags deployed and fire melted dash.
- Gardner, KS, USA
Consumer noticed a month after purchasing the vehicle air bag light flashed on and off. Consumer contacted the dealer several times. Dealer has not diagnosed the problem.
- Utica, NY, USA
Recall 02V323000, consumer noticed that after having recall done for integrated air bag monitor contamination dealer had installed the shield over the iabm, and applied nyogel grease to the connector one month after consumer noticed smoke coming from the wires.
- Hopkinsville, KY, USA
Air bag light has been on constantly. Consumer had received a recall which it stated that vehicle had to have a shell on top of the cable so that air bag light will not come on, but after she took the vehicle to get it fixed the problem was still there. Dealer will only fix it if the consumer pays for it.
- Harrisonburg, VA, USA
Side collision to vehicle and both air bags deployed causing injuries.
- Ruskin , FL, USA
The recall air bag failed prior to recall notice (recall number 02V323000). The vehicle was parked in the consumers driveway when the air bags deployed. As a result the vehicle caught on fire. The consumer requested reimbursement for the loss of the vehicle.
- Port Lavaca, TX, USA
The vehicles air bag caught on fire.
- Newark, MD, USA
- Palos Heights, IL, USA