Owners of 2013 Ford Fiesta report two distinct airbag problems. The first is non-deployment in crashes. Multiple owners describe impact events—rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and rollover—where front and side airbags failed to inflate despite significant vehicle damage. One owner reported dual failures: airbags didn't deploy in a rear-end collision at 45 mph or in a prior deer-strike incident, both at 175,000 miles. Another documented non-deployment at 40,000 miles in a rear-impact crash. A third experienced no deployment during a double rollover. A fourth stated the vehicle was totaled after an airbag failure with no injuries.
The second problem is spontaneous or unwanted deployment. One owner reported all four door-side airbags deploying without warning while driving, causing loss of consciousness and the vehicle to call 911.
A third category involves wiring and control issues. One owner discovered the passenger-side airbag remained unplugged after a recall repair at Green Ford in North Carolina, despite three separate repair visits. Another found the passenger seat sensor faulty at 82,000 miles. A fifth owner reports a persistent airbag warning light related to the Takata recall, though their vehicle wasn't on the recall list, with the light illuminating whether the car is moving or parked.
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in frontal/rear impact crashes
Front and/or side airbags fail to inflate during impact events despite vehicle structural damage.
When: At 40,000 miles; 175,000 miles; unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in rear-end collision at 45 mph; No airbag deployment in secondary impact at 175,000 miles (deer strike); No deployment in head-on impact at 40,000 miles; No deployment during double rollover
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were totaled; repairs not attempted by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware per narratives #1 and #4; no assistance offered
Spontaneous or unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deploy without any crash or impact event while vehicle is being driven normally.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: All four door-side airbags deployed simultaneously while driving; Sudden deployment caused loss of consciousness; Vehicle automatically dialed 911 post-deployment
Passenger-side airbag left unplugged after recall repair
Recall service intended to address airbag defect left the passenger-side airbag connector disconnected, undetected across multiple subsequent dealer visits.
When: Unspecified; discovered post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag recall performed but airbag remained unplugged; Multiple dealer visits and repairs failed to identify disconnection; Computer diagnostic not performed as promised
Repairs/costs cited: Green Ford in North Carolina serviced vehicle multiple times; issue identified by another dealer after several repair attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Airbag recall performed; condition not rectified
Faulty passenger seat airbag sensor
Passenger seat occupancy sensor fails, triggering airbag warning light on instrument panel.
When: At 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated upon vehicle startup; Persistent warning indicator
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement needed per dealer diagnosis; vehicle not repaired
Persistent airbag warning light—Takata recall-related
Airbag warning indicator illuminates repeatedly, related to Takata recall defect, despite vehicle not being on official recall list.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Warning light illuminates daily; Light illuminates whether vehicle is moving or stationary; Vehicle not included on recall list yet shows warning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall exists but vehicle not covered per recall list
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.