2001 Ford Escort Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 13%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Escort, 13% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 9 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.
“I was in a accident on the 105fwy west, going between 15-25 MPH in moderate morning traffic. I hit the back of a car, slammed my face against the steering wheel, and severely damaged my front hood, bumper and engine, which has been totaled out! My air bags failed to deploy! Its a 2001 Ford Escort, never been in a accident, and I have neck, back, and severe jaw pain.”
NHTSA complaint #10280479, filed 2009-08, 162,353 miles“I was involved in a very minor accident with only paint damage to my front bumper. The other vehicle also had only paint damage. I was stopped and the other vehicle scraped mine at a speed of maybe 25 MPH. My airbags depoyed and caused more damage than the accident itself.”
NHTSA complaint #10142847, filed 2005-11, 107,000 miles“While slowing down to stop at a red light, the driver's air bag deployed inadvertently. As a result, the driver's visibility was impaired, causing him to crash into another vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10081519, filed 2004-08, 74,000 miles“I hit a guardrail going 55 MPH and then proceeded to be thrown down a hill into a field and my air bags did not deploy. I was curious as to why this happened--thanks.”
NHTSA complaint #766054, filed 2002-08“Consumer stopped at a red light when another vehicle rearended consumer's vehicle and pushed her into vehicle in front. Neither airbag deployed. Consumer hit her head on steering wheel. Vehicle was totalled, other vehicles affected by this accident had deployed airbags.”
NHTSA complaint #894617, filed 2001-08Air 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 2001 Ford Escort
13 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Escort
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