Problems · by component

2013 Ford Escape air bags problems

55 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Ford Escape cite air bags, 2% of all 2,757 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
55
2% of all complaints
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I bought a 2013 escape 3-4 months ago. It had a clear car fax as well as clean on Ford.com. recently the air bag light has been flashing on and as time has gone on, it is staying on longer. I just had it diagnosed at a Ford Dealership and was told it was an air bag sensor, with a cost of over $2000. After digging deeper, I discovered that the Air Bag and sensors were replaced in 2016 under the recalls at the time. I understand that this was done and I am only asking for some financial assistance as I can no longer drive my escape. I know i bought an older car, but Ford will not help with any assistance and it seems they have an obligation since this problem has been happening over and over. i worked in Ford dealerships for over 40 years. Please help.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11712338
“Ford recall 14s21 was performed on this vehicle in 2015. I currently have a DTC b10a2. The code indicates that the restraint control module has failed. I contacted the local ford dealer, Cavalier Ford, and was told that the item was out of warranty. The issue is safety. The representative that I spoke with did not understand that the item that was the focus of the original recall has failed. Based on the original recall, the air bags and belt pretensioner could fail in the event of an accident. The replacement of the original item does not provide long term protection since it has failed again.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11668180
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into drive, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact became aware that the vehicle responded as needed while shifted into reverse. The contact also stated that a message was displayed, alerting the contact of an air bag deployment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts) and 22V413000 (Power Train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 141,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2024Power train, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11619302
“The contact owned a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the rear passenger side door erroneously opened causing a distraction to the driver and the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bag did not deploy. During the crash, the contact sustained neck, shoulder, and back injuries. No medical treatment was received. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 212,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2024Air bags, Latches/locks/linkagesCrash reportedODI 11602972
“I purchased my vehicle may 6,2020 Accident accord in Winnie,Tx June 22,2020 on the highway me and my kids father were on the highway at the time the highway was getting construction work done as we were driving down the highway street someone hit us broke one of my ribs and my left elbow as well I didn’t have any knowledge of knowing my vehicle had a recall until I just realize searching on my vehicle I purchased and the reason why it wasn’t taken cared before I had family matters sorry so late Briana Roy The consumer stated that she suffered a lot of traumas during this incident. No assistance has been offered yet due to the incident occurring during the pandemic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2023Air bags, Seat belts, EngineODI 11536839
“The contact owns a 2013 Ford Escape. The contact stated while on the highway during rush hour driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle behind failed to slow down causing her to crash into the vehicle in front when her vehicle was rear-ended. The contact stated the seat belt's pretensions failed to function, and the air bags failed to deploy. During the impact, the contact hit her head on the steering wheel. In addition, the contact sustained a fractured nose, facial bruises, and neck injuries. An ambulance arrived at the scene and treated the contact then transported her to the emergency room where a MRI and CT scan was performed. The police arrived on the scene and filed a police report. There was damage to the front bumpers and grill and rear of the vehicle, but it was drivable. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2022Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11474507

Showing 6 of 55 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.

Air bagsReported Sep 26, 2014NHTSA 14V597000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 C-MAX, and Escape vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the restraint control module (RCM) may have errors in the programming software which may result in a delayed deployment of the side-curtain rollover air bag.

Air bagsReported May 7, 2014NHTSA 14V237000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.