2008 Ford Escape Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,974 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,118miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Ford Escape, 2% of the 1,974 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,118 miles. 16 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.
“My car was involved in an accident, on the hwy, in which the driver lost control and the car rolled several times. The 2 front airbags never deployed. None of the 3 adult passengers were seriously hurt. The car was totaled. I bought the car from a Ford dealership for $15,000, used. The airbags should have opened. The driver and passengers could have been killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10610096, filed 2014-07, 150,000 miles“In the dash and the steering wheel, the covers for the air bags have become super sticky. I am wondering if, because of where the air bags are, that something has happened behind the covers that is effecting the consistency of the covers. I have tried all kinds of cleaners, goo be gone, alcohol to remove or reduce the stickyness but nothing has worked. I am worried that if the air bags are deployed that they will either not work or that some chemical reaction has occurred that would be worse than then not deploying.”
NHTSA complaint #11089104, filed 2018-04, 43,000 miles“I have been having multiple problems with this vehicle. I went and got the power steering recall fixed 1 yr to maybe 2 yrs ago and Ford said it was fixed. Now I'm having power steering going out while driving and car pulls to the right. I then turn the vehicle off and back on and it goes back to working correctly. I went back to Ford and they said that the recall has been fixed and closed out and nothing they can do. Now I'm having power steering still going out and now all my lights (ABS,traction control,tire,air bag, anti theft light). …”
NHTSA complaint #11152104, filed 2018-11, 156,000 miles“My airbag does not work for me I weigh 126 they said it can't be fixed it's made for a child I'm not a child. I should of been told this before I bought the Escape. I was lead to believe I had the safety of a passenger airbag. I wouldn't have bought this car if I knew this. I was lied too. I'm not safe.”
NHTSA complaint #10273826, filed 2009-06, 100 miles“In the early morning hours in heavy rain, my vehicle slid on the road and ran into the back of a mach truck. The speed was approximately 35 MPH, and the entire front end of my vehicle was pushed back. The air bag did not deploy and the driver hit the steering wheel, only being somewhat protected by wearing a seat belt. The vehicle is currently in the shop for repairs, pending insurance investigation. The vehicle in question is a 2008 Ford Escape.”
NHTSA complaint #10273034, filed 2009-06, 36,500 milesAir 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 2008 Ford Escape
1,127 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
329 complaintsVehicle speed control
175 complaintsBrakes
140 complaintsElectrical system
136 complaintsEngine
83 complaintsFuel system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsBody and structure
41 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsElectronic stability control
36 complaintsSuspension
31 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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