2009 Ford Escape Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,693 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,435miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Ford Escape, 1% of the 1,693 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,435 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were in a serious accident on an interstate highway. Bridge was icy, and traffic was stopped. We slid on the ice and rear ended the car in front of us. We were then rear-ended and driven much harder in to the car in front of us. No airbag deployed in our car.”
NHTSA complaint #10944201, filed 2017-01, 150,000 miles“Started from a stopped position, less than 10 MPH. Side airbags went off. Noting hit the car and we did not hit anything and nothing fell on the car. We were on an even smooth pavement.”
NHTSA complaint #10281025, filed 2009-08, 9,987 miles“Warning lights on dashboard appear intermittently. The lights that come on are the passenger airbag light and the advance traction control. Also the passenger air bag light on the middle of the dashboard flashes off and on. Only happens maybe 20% of the time. Have had it to the dealer twice, the codes that come up they have never seen before so can't diagnose the problem. When I do take it in most of the times the lights don't come on so they ask whets the problem? I don't know if the car is safe to drive or not.”
NHTSA complaint #10284014, filed 2009-09, 13,000 miles“On june 2nd 2009 I was driving my new Ford Escape on highway 101 heading west when both side airbags instantly deployed. I did not hit anything or get in an accident. The seatbelt locked me into the seat, I pulled off the next exit which was topanga canyon. I drove around the corner to vista Ford and they inspected the vehicle and found nothing wrong with it other than the airbags had deployed. Ford has been shipped the restraint control module and says it will take 3 months to analyze. Ford will not warranty this until they determine it was a defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276281, filed 2009-07, 3,300 miles“On 7/14/2010 our 2009 Ford Escape was involved in traffic accident in which it was hit in the front end by a fugitive being chased by local police. The car was hit in the front end. The Escape was at a stoplight and not moving, the other vehicle was est. To be going 70mph? The car has in excess of $16,000 in damage, the frame rails bent, axles broke and the front end shifted to one side. None of the airbags deployed. No front or side bags. The car is being repaired at this time. Concerned about the air bags and if they will ever work? The vehicle has only 23kmiles on it. Serviced regularly.”
NHTSA complaint #10344439, filed 2010-07, 23,435 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10038965Apr 1, 2011Comm-trans lund: some 2009-2011 models may have the air bag inicator flashing with a stored trouble code. This is a software problem.
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 2009 Ford Escape
828 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
301 complaintsVehicle speed control
279 complaintsEngine
254 complaintsFuel system
203 complaintsElectrical system
143 complaintsBrakes
108 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsBody and structure
32 complaintsElectronic stability control
22 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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