Steering wheel airbag did not deployed but the airbag under steering wheel deploy
2015 Ford Fiesta airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Ford Fiesta have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Fiesta | 22 |
| 2012 Fiesta | 11 |
| 2013 Fiesta | 10 |
| 2014 Fiesta | 17 |
| 2015 Fiesta (this page) | 11 |
| 2016 Fiesta | 3 |
| 2018 Fiesta | 4 |
| 2019 Fiesta | 8 |
5crashes
7injuries
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Ford Fiesta in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Fiesta's airbag system shows up in complaints across two main failure patterns. First, owners describe persistent airbag warning lights that illuminate at various mileages—as low as 25,000 miles and as high as 96,850 miles—and often remain lit indefinitely. The light sometimes appears only when the vehicle shifts into drive. Dealers have diagnosed these as seat belt retention failures or recommended diagnostics without completing repairs. Owners cite frustration with diagnostic fees and no resolution after multiple dealer visits.
More serious are reports of actual airbag failures during collisions. One owner experienced a side-impact crash at 20 mph where the airbags did not deploy, resulting in neck injuries and concussion. Another owner was rear-ended and reported airbag non-deployment. A third owner describes a head-on collision with metal fragments from the steering wheel airbag penetrating and cutting his head. One owner also reports asymmetrical deployment—the steering wheel airbag failed to deploy while the airbag under the steering wheel did. These represent alleged safety defects during the very circumstances the system is designed to protect.
Same Ford Fiesta airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination
Airbag indicator light comes on and remains illuminated. Some owners report the light appears only when the vehicle is in drive. Multiple dealers have diagnosed this as seat belt retention failure or referred owners for diagnostics without definitive repair.
When: Ranging from 25,000 miles to 96,850 miles; one case notes the light remained on for several years starting in 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates while driving or upon startup; Light remains on continuously; Light appears only when vehicle is shifted into drive
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers recommended diagnostic testing; one dealer diagnosed seat belt retention failure. No repairs completed in any reported case. Dealer charged diagnostic fees that owners refused to pay.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in some cases and provided case numbers; referred owners to dealers for diagnostics. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Airbags fail to deploy during actual vehicle collisions, ranging from low-speed rear-end impacts to side-impact and head-on crashes. One owner reports metal fragments from the steering wheel airbag cutting his head open during deployment.
When: Incidents occurred at 19,000 miles and higher; mileage at time of other collision incidents not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy in side-impact collision at 20 mph; Airbags do not deploy in rear-end collision; Steering wheel airbag failed to deploy but airbag under steering wheel deployed; Steering wheel airbag deployed with metal fragments exiting the bag, causing laceration to head; Vehicle totaled in crash where airbag non-deployment suspected as contributing factor
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to body shop after one collision; police report filed. No repair information provided for other incidents. No warranty coverage mentioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases. No recalls, TSBs, or warranty programs mentioned.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 Ford Fiesta?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2015 Ford Fiesta?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 25,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Ford/Fiesta.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.