2003 Ford Escape Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 11%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Escape, 11% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My ABS lights is on. I then was able to find the issue with the wires under both seats. The way they were stabilized to the seat glide has caused the wire to frey.I am in need of new wiring under both seats,driver side being the worst of the two.this is not anything I have done it is due to poor designs.”
NHTSA complaint #11014884, filed 2017-08, 133,000 miles“On 4/25/2010 I had a person run an intersection causing me to hit them. My air bags did not go off like they should have. My front bumper and grill were pushed all the way to the engine causing engine damage as well. I have heard of others doing the same thing. I drove a 2003 Ford Escape xlt. It was totaled in the crash. I was wearing my seat belt which was the only thing that keep me safe. I still got hurt with a hurt neck and back.”
NHTSA complaint #10328207, filed 2010-04, 91,366 miles“2003 Ford Escape was involved in a collision, the front end received massive damage. My complaint is that the air bag did not deploy. My daughter was driving , hit her head. The police officer on the scene made the statement that the airbag should have deployed. The car is at the auto shop for estimate, as of 10-10-05 the estimate has hit 9300.00, with more expected.”
NHTSA complaint #10139331, filed 2005-10, 69,000 miles“I owned a 2003 Escape and had a head on accident in which the air bags did not go off. Not sure why there has not been a recall one the air bags with so many people having the same problem. Air bag light never came on or gave me any problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10335167, filed 2010-06, 97,000 miles“I purchased my vehicle with 38,000 miles on it. Within the first 2 months the airbag light started flashing and sometimes staying on sometimes going off. After about 2 to 3 months it went off and stayed off for another couple of months. Eventually it started coming on again and is now staying on the majority of the time. I am a little concerned about this because I don't know if my airbag is working when the light is on.”
NHTSA complaint #10164312, filed 2006-08, 40,000 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 2003 Ford Escape
121 complaintsSuspension
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
90 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsTires
17 complaintsFuel system
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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