2002 Ford Escape Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 79about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,027 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,786miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Ford Escape, 8% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,786 miles. 24 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag light stays on and also I have a issue with the steering wheel and suspension there are other issues with the car and never was fixed by previous owner now im stuck with a car that has past recalled issues. If you own a car and just purchased it by previous owner make sure that recalls have been fixed on vehicle. Now I dont know what to do with my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11023506, filed 2017-09, 150,500 miles“The air bag readiness system on the car is troubling. The red light indicator on the dash either flashes, or remains on. The manual says the system should be serviced immediately. I called a local Ford dealer in my town and they say they won't pay for it. Have there been problems with this vehicle make/model/ year? Since it is a serious safety issue, wouldn't the manufacturer be required to fix it?”
NHTSA complaint #10730161, filed 2015-06, 135,000 miles“Gears is hard to shift to the right gear and lights went out early like a drain in electrical and my stearing is becoming hard to turn on streets and out my drive way”
NHTSA complaint #11365092, filed 2020-10, 14,000 miles“I bought my car on sept 28, 2015. The airbag light came on about 2 weeks ago. At first it would come on when I start the car and shut off. Now it blinks then stays on. I am worried that if I get into an accident my airbags will not deploy. I have read a lot of reviews about this and it seems to be a very big issue. I have searched this website with my VIN # and there are no recall. I bought this as a family car but now I am in fear of putting my children in it.”
NHTSA complaint #10785765, filed 2015-10, 119,000 miles“Srs airbag lamp on on the dashboard, it will blink for 30 seconds when you start the engine. Then it will stay lit. I brought this to the dealer where I bought this SUV and after 1 year it came on again. I had it checked to a dealer and they reset the lamp and it came back again. It worries me because I do not know if the airbags will work during an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10214362, filed 2008-01, 88,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014302Dec 31, 2004Side air bag diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1994 or b1998.
- 10013426Nov 1, 2004High airflow from defroster vents when in floor or floor defrost modes.
- 10013422Nov 1, 2004Air bag warning lamp on .
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 13 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 9 | 0% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 25 | 2% |
| 2015 | 17 | 2% |
| 2014 | 32 | 2% |
| 2013 | 54 | 2% |
| 2012 | 25 | 4% |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 1% |
| 2009 | 14 | 1% |
| 2008 | 31 | 2% |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 4% |
| 2005 | 34 | 2% |
| 2004 | 45 | 9% |
| 2003 | 60 | 11% |
| 2002 | 79 | 8% |
| 2001 | 63 | 6% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Escape
294 complaintsBrakes
195 complaintsElectrical system
123 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
100 complaintsBody and structure
87 complaintsSuspension
80 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology