This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph and the SRS warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the wiring harness was replaced. Most recently, the malfunction recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated the air bags light illuminates and there was a constant beeping sound in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who ran a diagnostic test and there was a code#B1869 stating the wiring harness for the driver and passenger seats and body harnesses needed to be replaced. This would be an expense of $686 to the contact. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Airbag warning light repeatedly flashes warning code#47. Lic mech can clean connector contacts and reset computer code but if won't reset, bag(s) may not deploy. Mech advises prob is well known occurrence w/ 1999-2005 Ford Escapes. Codes#46/47 (drivers seat/rt frt passenger seat) appearing as a result of original equipment defective wiring harnesses for airbag/pretensioner seat belt system. Only fix if light stays on and can't be reset is to replace wire harnesses; cost $550+ (must remove seats, pull up carpet to gain access to harness and replace same). NHTSA investigated issue in 1999 (action# SQ99026 Nov.'99-May.-2000) but closed case with no further action. Internet inquiry indicates large number of complaints about above and also failure of airbag deployment in accidents. Internet indicates issue involves Mazda tributes also as Ford associated with Mazda and uses same harness and system. Ford apparently has a replacement harness to fix problem but owners must pay for part and labor as Ford doesn't acknowledge defective original equipment.
We have a 2003 Ford Escape the airbag light has came on and went off sporadically in the past 3 years but went out. This time it has stayed on so we took it to the Ford dealer and they said the seat belt wiring harness on both the front seats was bad and if there was an accident the air bag might not deploy the vehicle has never been in water so there is no reason for the wires to be bad other then they where inadequate to begin with. They said to fix it they would have to take out the seats pull the carpet back and replace the harnesses.
Aug 2007- air bag warning light came on. Dealership found defect in driver/passenger air bag circuit located under front seats (dtc code - D1990/D1994). Replaced connectors & harness($490). Suggested cause was motion of adjusting power seat. Now, Oct 2009 (mileage - 85,000) air bag warning light is on again. First flashing, then off for a few days, then solidly on again. Is this circuit located in a place where it shouldn't be" is this why there are complaints about Escape air bags not opening in a crash? can someone check out the location of the wiring for this circuit? is it causing air bag failure in Escapes? do we need deaths? has Ford made changes in the new Escapes"
- Sterling, VA, USA
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Purchased 2003 Ford Escape 04/05/08. Air bag light came on a week later returned vehicle for other minor fixes was told light was not important as the bags would not deploy. During oil change on 12/08 told Ford service dept. Again about air bag light same answer. Also inform them about car shaking was told it was because I waited too long for oil change. Took vehicle in for oil change 07/08/09 was refused vehicle told it was dangerous for me to drive found rt front lower balljoint loose in steering knuckle worn out steering knuckle need to replace both lower ball joints and rt front steering knuckle probably cause of why vehicle was shaking and would cost about $1700 and were not sure if extended warranty would cover. They were rude and I broke down. This car has had the shakes since I bought it. I finally took my vehicle home to bring it back the next day. I picked it up on the 15th once Ford stated all repairs were completed vehicle was road tested and engine light was gone except they did nothing for the air bags. This shop is $12.07 miles from my home approx halfway through the engine light came on and the car started shaking between 45 and 50mph. I called them when I got home gave me another appointment different diagnostic. No one in this shop can tell me if any recalls have been done on this vehicle. I have a handicap daughter who gets her medical care at the veterans administration hospital an hour away. I need a safe vehicle. My family cannot afford another car. These people never give me a straight answer and put down whatever they want on their invoices. This shop is run by a husband and wife team no one cares if my vehicle is safe they just want to make money off of us. Can you please help me find out what has been corrected on my vehicle VIN. Thank you very much.
I have a 03 Ford Escape, and the trouble is endless. The car will not start at times and it is a strong smell of gas when this happens. I have had it in and out of the shop about 6 times and has had the car for only 2 years. The failure to start is scary because you don't know if the car is going to explode or what. The dealership tells me that it is a sensor that goes out and tells the car it doesn't have to start. Been replaced 6 times and the other day it did it again. I hate to go out of town because of the fear of getting stranded on the highway. And another thing the smell of the engine is crazy my daughter has asthma and talking about a problem for her it is. I can go to work and go back 30 minutes later to my car and you can tell that it is still smelling of course where I got it from they told me that it was no concern it was due to the fact of them dropping oil when they did a change, come on people 2 months later. I fear that one day it will explode I just pray to god that my family is not in there. The airbag light will not go off and from reading in here I am scared to death. Something really needs to be done about this problem before some family loses a member.
Problem with air bag light, take by to dealer on numbers time (5). Every two weeks for the time of purchase (10/11/2008) can't seem to get it right the dealer stated the bag won't work when need.
The air bag light goes on. Some times it will remain on and sometimes it will flash. I had the air bag module replaced ($600) and it was ok for 2 months and started to happen again. The problem went away and has since reappeared. I have searched the internet and found alot of other Escape owners who are having the same issues. I believed that this is a safety issue and should be look at.
I own a 2003 Ford Escape up to now I have not had any problems I guess knock on wood I have been lucky. Lately the airbag light started blinking and then it stays on. From reading some of the complaints there might be several reasons as to why this happens. I have read that there are many people having this same problem, maybe Ford should take the first step and recall the vehicles to get this fixed.
Customer wants to know if air bags for 2003 Ford Escape have been recalled. * the air bag light blinks on then off. Consumer not sure what this indicates.
We recently hit a deer going in between 45 50 miles per hour. And the air bags never went off. I was wondering why they didn't there is several thousands dollars in damage.
Vehicle has been to the Ford dealership 5 times because the air bag light will illuminate and stay on. When the air bag light is on, the air bags will not deploy. The problem has been a faulty connector to the front air bags (3 times), the side airbags (1 time) and the seat belt sensor (1 time). The last incident was after the warranty expired and it was a struggle getting Ford to pay for the repair. Lesson learned: Document everything and contact a lawyer before the warranty expires.
The air bag light is on 98% of the time. I took it to a Ford dealer and they said that this is a Ford problem, that Ford is working on it and that there is nothing that can be done to correct the problem. They stated that the air bags will not function when the air bag light is on. On a rare occasion the light will go out.
Air bag light would sporadically come on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The problem was found in the front seat belt buckles, the sensors and wires that help deploy the air bags were defective. N case of an accident the air bags would have not deployed. The dealer repaired all the seat belt buckles.
The air bag light illuminated which indicated that the air bags were disengaged. This is the second time the vehicle has been taken to the dealer in one week.. fifth time total. The dealer said they will fix it by fixing a broken wire or resetting the computer. Manufacturer said they will try to fix it.
Ltr to Ford concerning a safety defect re defective wiring of the side airbags in 2003 Ford Escape. The consumer received the recall notice for the faulty air bag wiring. An appointment was made at the dealer to have the vehicle repaired. When the repairs were made the dealer refused to cover the cost of replacing the faulty wiring because the vehicle was 200 miles over the 50000 mile warranty. The consumer explained that the vehicle went over the mileage while waiting for the recalled part to arrive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA