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 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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
- Wheaton, IL, USA
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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.
Air bag sensor light comes on and stays on all day. Could cause premature or no deployment of the air bag. Dealer contacted. 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.
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.
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- Logan, IL, USA