64 of the 5,144 complaints about the Ford Escape (1.2%) concern Airbags & seat belts, making it the model's #9 problem area. That share is 0.3× the Airbags & seat belts share across all tracked vehicles.
64Complaints · Airbags & seat belts
1.2%Share of complaints
0.33×vs. all vehicles
18Last 12 months
43.8%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Airbags & seat belts complaints peak with the 2020 model (21, 1% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2021 model (5). 18 Airbags & seat belts complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 16 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “belt”, “seat”, “deploy”, “bags” and “air”. 28 of these reports (43.8%) describe a crash or fire, with 35 injuries and 1 death mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V862000 (2025-12-12, model years 2025).
We are concerned that the seatbelt and possibly airbag malfunctioned and contributed to my mother in laws death on 11/17/2025. The drivers seatbelt had not been latching properly and would come unlatched at random times prior to the accident.
When there is a seat belt fault, it disables the airbags from going off, even though the seat belts are all engaged
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-08-11 · ODI 11756227
A nagging seat belt monitoring fault occurred with this vehicle. After researching this particular problem, I found that it is a well known issue to Ford (over several forums and owners websites), which is caused by a seat belt sensor.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-07-24 · ODI 11752710
Seatbelt locks in position on the passenger side. Must stop car let seatbelt retract all the way and reattach seatbelt. Dealer wanted $225 to diagnose problem if they could not find and/or duplicate issue.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751627
The contact owned 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH uphill, another vehicle attempting to make a left turn in front of the vehicle crashed into the vehicle.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR Campaign 25V862000 · 2025-12-12 · Model years: 2025
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape vehicles. The seat belt retractors for the left and right rear passenger seats may not be securely fastened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure, or replace the seat belt retractor bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C68. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 15, 2025.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Campaign 20V415000 · 2020-07-17 · Model years: 2020
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S35.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Campaign 17V803000 · 2017-12-18 · Model years: 2018
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Escape vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S44.
How common are Airbags & seat belts problems on the Ford Escape?
64 of the 5,144 complaints about the Ford Escape (1.2%) concern Airbags & seat belts, making it the model's #9 problem area. That share is 0.3× the Airbags & seat belts share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Ford Escape model years have the most Airbags & seat belts complaints?
By model year, Airbags & seat belts complaints peak with the 2020 model (21, 1% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2021 model (5).
Is there a recall for Ford Escape Airbags & seat belts problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 25V862000 (2025-12-12, model years 2025).