The 1994 Ford Escort has 60 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
60
Airbags complaints
17%
Share of year
38
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CAN HAVE AN INADEQUATELY WELDED INFLATOR CANISTER.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE WELD SEAM CAN SEPARATE, CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO FAIL TO DEPLOY PROPERLY AND HOT GASES TO BE EXPELLED FROM THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY FROM THE HOT GASES AND THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG MODULE.
“CONSUMER WAS AT INTERSECTION WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE, AND VEHICLE IN BACK OF HER HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED/PUNCTURED, AND CHEMICALS FROM AIRBAGS CAUSED THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE. HER EYE…”
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the 1994 Ford Escort airbags — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 94V218000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.