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severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
In the event of a crash, if the driver's knee air bag does not inflate as intended, the driver has an increased risk of injury.
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2016 Escape owners report airbag systems that fail to deploy in crashes, warning lights that stay on without resolution even after multiple dealer repairs, and water intrusion affecting curtain airbags. In actual collisions, several occupants sustained serious injuries when airbags did not work as designed.
Owners describe six distinct issues with 2016 Escape airbags. The most serious: in crashes ranging from 5 mph to 72 mph, airbags simply do not deploy. We're talking collisions severe enough to total the vehicle—a front-end impact at 72 mph into a concrete barrier, a rear strike at 30 mph, a hydroplane into trees at 40–50 mph—and the airbags stay packed. When they don't deploy, people hit steering wheels and dashboards hard enough to break ribs, fracture kneecaps, and split nerves. One owner had a 50/50 deployment chance due to pinched wires found at the factory with just 14 miles on the odometer.
A second group reports the warning light coming on and staying on. Dealers swap out sensors, replace harnesses, reset modules—sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle—and the light keeps coming back. Diagnostic codes B00C0, B00A0, and U0455 point to faulty occupant-classification sensors.
One owner reports an airbag that deployed but didn't inflate during impact. Another found the roof-rack mounting hole leaking water directly onto the curtain airbag, causing rust and corrosion that raises questions about whether that system will work when needed. In at least two crashes, seat belts also failed to lock or retract, multiplying the protection failure.
Same Ford Escape airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
In multiple crash scenarios, airbags do not deploy when struck, even in severe impacts. Owners report collisions at speeds ranging from 8–72 mph with no airbag deployment, resulting in injuries.
When: During crashes ranging from low-speed (5–10 mph) to highway speeds (40–72 mph); mileage varies from 26,118 to 156,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite impact damage; Occupants struck steering wheel, dashboard, and other interior components; No warning lights illuminated prior to crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were either totaled or not repaired; one dealer collision center did not diagnose or repair the vehicle
Airbag system deploys the mechanism but the airbag does not inflate, leaving occupants unprotected during impact.
When: At 36,000 miles during a front-end collision at 8–10 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed but did not inflate; Occupant sustained head, leg, and back injuries; No warning indicators illuminated before crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent mechanic; not diagnosed or repaired
Airbag warning light comes on and remains on or intermittent. Dealers diagnose failed airbag sensors, requiring sensor replacement. Multiple replacement attempts in some cases have not resolved the issue.
When: Between 78,972 and 85,812 miles; one vehicle at 5 years old (unspecified mileage)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on dash illuminates; Light may be intermittent or continuous; No accident or contact prior to light illumination
Codes mentioned: B00C0, B00A0, U0455
Repairs/costs cited: Driver's side airbag sensor replacement needed; one owner reports $2,700 estimate. Multiple replacement cycles without resolution reported in one vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised contacting NHTSA; dealer advised light could be repaired but might not resolve failure
Wires for the airbag system are pinched during manufacturing, reducing deployment reliability.
When: New vehicle with 14 miles at time of discovery; problem created during manufacture
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light came on after 5 months of ownership; No symptoms prior to light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring defect identified at dealership; owner reports 50/50 chance of airbag not deploying in accident
Roof rack mounting holes leak during rain and car washes, allowing water to saturate the curtain airbag positioned underneath. Owner expresses concern about airbag corrosion and deployment reliability.
When: Ongoing since purchase; no specific mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Water entering roof rack area; Curtain airbag soaked after rain or car wash; Rust and staining on headliner; Owner concerns about airbag corrosion
Repairs/costs cited: Owner attempted silicone sealing without resolution; no dealer assistance when vehicle under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance provided by Ford when contacted under warranty
In some crashes, both seat belt and airbag systems fail or are compromised, compounding injury risk. One report mentions seat belt failure to lock; another mentions seat belt failure to retract.
When: At 35,000 miles and 95,000 miles during impacts
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt failed to lock during rear impact; Occupant ejected from seat; Seat belt failed to retract after impact with deer; Airbags also failed to deploy in both cases
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle diagnosed with damaged seat and damage requiring replacement of muffler, quarter panel, trunk, bumper, and frame
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The airbag icon came on and I did not have an accident. I did not bump into anything. I took it to the dealership and they nothing about it. I also had problems with my transmission. The icon never came on about my transmission. I was driving home and the car stop shifting gears. My vehicle is only 5 years old and it should not have a transmission problem. I have only taken my car to the…
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 29,954 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 49,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,954; a quarter make it past 87,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.