1996 Ford Escort Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 9%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,359miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Ford Escort, 9% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,359 miles. 14 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.
“The vehicle was involved in an accident, the air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not restrain the consumer as designed, the consumer was injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10015412, filed 2003-04, 106,359 miles“As soon as consumer turned on engine air bag light will came on, and stayed on dashboard until she turned off the engine. Dealer had told consumer that the cause was a signal code for the air bag. Dealer replaced wiring harness ans sensor but problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #856089, filed 2000-02“While the vehicle was parked with the ignition off, air bags on driver's side and passenger's side deployed for no apparent reason. Vehicle had been parked for 3 weeks without any movement. Manufacturer has been notified about the problem. Problem has not been corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #853663, filed 1999-12“Consumer crashed into a truck and was rear ended by another vehicle in which neither of the air bags experienced deployment until the second impact, one person was injured in the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #564036, filed 2002-01“Airbags deployed in very low speed impact, causing no damage to car except rear view mirror when air bag hit it. Air bag sensors were not touched, causing 1500 damage to replace airbags..”
NHTSA complaint #756393, filed 2002-01Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 10% |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 9 | 13% |
| 2000 | 18 | 18% |
| 1999 | 66 | 20% |
| 1998 | 75 | 20% |
| 1997 | 152 | 28% |
| 1996 | 18 | 9% |
| 1995 | 67 | 12% |
| 1994 | 54 | 19% |
| 1993 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 0% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Escort
77 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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