Problems with 2000 Ford Focus AIR BAGS

Vehicle turning and collided with another vehicle sppeding. per insurance company, vehicle was totalled. paid for repairs, then realized the airbags did not deploy. *js

Auto accident on 8/26/2013 in fredericksburg, va, corner of hwy 1 and hwy 208 at 9:15 am. driving between 5-7 mph due to stop at red light to make right turn. driver in front started through the red light and stopped. i hit her car but no car body dents on either car. my 2000 ford focus upon impact deployed (2) air bags, even though i was the only person in the car and no weight on passenger seat. the air bags caused all the car damage and second degree burn on my right hand. the passenger air bag lid smashed the car windshield. the car was drivable but unsafe to drive away from accident. i towed it to local ford dealer (purvis) on hwy 1 for diagnostics test to check the sensors. the dealer report said that the car operated as designed and both air bags should deploy and cause all that damage (car/body) estimated $4914.00 at low speeds. the repair cost is more than the value of the car.

I have a 2000 ford focus, i hit a car from the back, because they slammed on their brakes. my airbags did not deployed. i was going 25-30 mph. the front of the car is totally totaled. but the airbag sensor is visible to the human eye! i am wondering why my airbag do not deployed? airbag defects? my face smash the steering wheel. me and my passenger have neck, back, shoulder contusions. i have severe pain in those areas. i did some research on why my airbag didn't deployed because it did not seem right to me. and i discovered a case and which the same car model, make and year, similar to mines which stated, "ford admitted that it didn't even know the actual air bag non-deployment threshold when it started selling these cars to its customers! they later changed the airbag system design to increase the threshold beginning in 2002, but they never recalled the 2000 and 2001 ford focus cars to fix this problem." *tr

I had turned on my vehicle and the airbag light came on and stayed on. originally, the airbag light would come on when i started the car in the mornings and then shut off when the car had been driven for a short period. i had an independent mechanic that i have used for 8 years investigate the issue and he suggested i file a complaint, as it is difficult for him to pinpoint the fault for the airbag light. this vehicle has over a dozen recalls on it already that have been fixed over the years. some other issues have not been addressed ever, except for the same vehicle sold in canada. also, i never received compensation for the brake disc replacement that had occurred after 22,000 miles had been on the vehicle. i never had to replace disc at such short time of driving a vehicle. lastly, the center console is unstable and detached from the rear at the base of the arm rest, which was poorly secured with three 1/4 inch welds. *tr

Waiting at a light, drunk driver escaping police rear ends ford focus. ford focus hits fire truck. at no time did the airbags deploy. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. while driving approximately 43 mph, the front passenger side air bag deployed inadvertently. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the contact's insurance company was made aware of the failure and advised that an inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

Driving to work, the car in front of me stopped quickly, our cars barely touched each other, less than 3 mph, no out side damage was done to either vehicle. both of my air bags deployed, the passenger air bag busted the windshield. the driver side air bag burnt my right air and has caused nerve damage in the area. *tr

While my mother was driving, the front passenger side airbag deployed. it smashed the windshield and glasses were flying all over her. soon after she came to a complete stop, she smelled a fume odor and thinking the car is catching fire. she rushed to open the door to get out. on her way out the driver side airbag deployed hitting her right shoulder. we contacted ford motor company for faulty airbags issue but they rejected responsibility and told us to contact our insurance. our insurance refused our claim stating it was the manufacture who should be liable. please help us. thank you. *tt

Hello! i was involved in a collision yesterday where i was rear ended by a someone doing 35 mph. i was at a complete stop. his collision with me sent my car into the car in front me. it totaled the front end and bent the frame in the back. my air bag never deployed. i think that ford should be held liable. *tr

This vehicle was purchased to be driven by my daughter as a entry level vehicle that was suppose to be a safe, efficient and durable means of transportation. from advertisements i expected a safe and inexpensive car. during a low speed accident the airbags deployed causing more damage to the vehicle than the actual accident itself. first the engine was disabled, the dash cracked, the windshield completely knocked outward and the airbag system needing complete replacement. after a lot of online research i have found that over many years sense 2000 and 2001,there are thousands of the same complaints with the same exact outcomes. these vehicles sales were guided toward younger drivers which where there are more likely low speed impact accidents. although there were safety issue at hand, the early deployment of the airbags at very low speed impact accidents has cost owners and insurance companies more in repairs due to the damages from the airbag deployment alone than necessary and have even caused total loss at owners and insurance companies expense. an investigation was opened early on after these issues were first developing and the investigation was closed quickly with the manufacture stating they set a low impact deployment speed to save lives and not so many vehicles experienced these outcomes. however over the years the records show these low speed deployments are more in numbers than mentioned and expected and is a uncalled for expense for owners and their insurance companies, causing from total loss of vehicles to unaffordable insurance rates due to the enormous cost to remove and replace the airbag systems as well as dashboard and windshield damages,when the passengers lives were not really at stake. in my daughters case,the airbag never was a safety tool as the airbag never really touched her. therefore it was a un-needed deployment set by the manufacture with damages at our expense. this should have never happened. damages us = $3000 other driver $1000. *tr

I was driving my 2000 ford focus on caughdenoy road in clay, ny when the airbags deployed without any warning. the vehicle had not been hit or damaged in any way prior to the accident occurring. my windshield glass was shattered severely, leading to $335 in damage for the windshield alone. the airbag cover also did not come off properly, leading it to cause the damage to the windshield. there were slight injuries to my finger (a small cut) caused by the air bag, since i placed my hand in front of me in shock, and the car is currently undrivable due to its condition. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. the contact stated that the air bag warning light came on. she took the vehicle to a dealer and they said the light would not come on for them so they could not diagnose the failure. the failure continued to occur and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. they stated that the passenger side air bag was defective and needed to be replaced at the owners expense. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 64,496.

Driving down road after heavy rain, roads wet, rush hour traffic, sun came out glare off street. car two cars ahead of me stopped suddenly to turn left. car in front of me stopped. i saw the cars stop and thought i had enough room to stop, but streets were still wet and my tires locked going 25mph 2 car lengths behind car and i skidded into the car in front of me. little to no damage down to rear bumper or my front bumper however, my airbags deployed shattering my window and locked my seat belt. causing $800 in parts damage not including labor. first time having problem with airbag deployment, will have insurance repair my car/airbag/seat belt, window, causing my insurance to go up. i had chair positioned all the way back so the airbag did not hit me or protect me from injury (i'm lucky i did not have breathing problems from airbag smoke though) i was probably going 15mph when i hit the other vehicle, if the airbags did not go off i would have affordable insurance and an extra $1000 to my name. be careful!!!! *tr

My mother was parked in the car and moved the gear accidentally to drive rather than reverse to back out of her parking space and pushed on the gas which inevitably went forward instead of backwards and hit a curb and barrier, approx. 4-5 ft. in front of her. this caused the drivers & passenger airbags to deploy which destroyed the windshield. now the car was not obviously going fast at all and there is no way these bags should have deployed. very bad situation. we had to pay $250.00 to replace the windshield and are currently getting price quotes to repair the air bag system which so far, exceeds the value on the car... *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. while driving 35 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle stopped at a traffic light. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact sustained injuries to the right side or her skull and suffered headaches. the radiator was pushed into the engine and the vehicle was destroyed. a police report was filed. the vin was verified, but appears to be invalid. the failure and current mileages were less than 100,000 kilometers.

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford focus. while driving approximately 5-10 mph, the vehicle locked and began to slide. the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the preceding vehicle. on impact, the frontal air bags deployed. a police report was filed. the contact's hand was injured and the front windshield was cracked. he called ford and is awaiting their response. the vehicle has not been repaired and is unable to be driven. the failure and current mileages were 99,967.

Inappropriate deployment of air bags at a low speed crash (less than 15 mph). *jb

Following a minor accident, no damage, the airbag deployed broke the windshield and dashboard. for 12 months afterward the passenger floor would fill with water during rain showers. i took it to be repaired 4 times with no success finally on the 5th trip the body shop figured out that the glue or filler that was placed between the welded structural components during assembly at the factory had cracked leaving a tiny hole that was siphoning water into the passenger compartment. they applied sealant to the seam between the passenger door panel and roof and so far no more leaks. *jb

My daughter purchased a 2000 ford focus from a dealership in baton rouge la and did not realize that it was "reconstructed" the car was not marked as that nor was it marked or written anywhere that there were no airbags. the airbag compartments were stuffed with styrofoam and plastic bags so as to hide it. none of this was none to us until she had an accident. the title does say "reconstructed" however she was not aware of this until the accident and that is when we found out about the airbags as well. she has no idea what reconstructed even meant. this dealership spoke to me as well as our insurance company and never divulged any of this info, had they done so the sale would not have happened. if my daughter had been in a head on collision she would be dead as well as the passenger and my 3 week old grand-daughter. every dealership that i have spoke to as well as checking into the law state that 1. the car should have been marked "reconstructed and 2. a separate disclosure for the airbags should have been made and none of this was done. due to the fact that there were no airbags (which cost $3600 to replace because the entire dash has to be replaced) the insurance has totaled the vehicle and my daughter is basically left with nothing because of a fraudulent dealership. i have documentation and pictures to send as proof, please provide me with and e-mail. *jb

I purchased a ford focus 2003, the car had 18,000 miles. i paid pacific coast ford seven thousand dollars cash for the car, two day later i brought it back because the car just shut down while i was driving it. they ran tests told me nothing was wrong with the car. a couple of days later it was back for the same reason. ultimately i had to bring it to lakewood transmission where after two attempts it was finally fixed it. i've had to get my ignition done two times and is ready for a third. mallionn ford fixed that for me. now three weeks ago i roll into a lady doing 5-10 miles an hour. the police are called but since there is no injuries or damage to either parties the police say they won't come. no police report. im driving home and my air bags deploy smashing out my windshield . a little ate you think. i cut one air bag out and continue to drive home. my car never shut down, the only thing that happened is the seat belt locked. i came home and took pic of the car not a scratch on my car one air bag still deployed the other you can see i cut it out and of coarse the smashed windshield . i contacted ford they said it was an insurance problem not theirs, how could it be there was no police report my car malfunctioned. *nm

My fiance, parents and i were driving home from dinner and got caught in a snow storm. knowing how bad the roads near me can get i slowed down to 15 mph when i saw the roads were getting covered. we came around a corner and caught a patch of ice and the car slid into a curb. upon impact of the curb, both airbags deployed and the windshield was smashed (from the airbag. when we exited the vehicle we expected to see major damage to the car. we went to the passenger side of the car to find that the front right tire was pushed back 3-6 inches and the front right fender was slightly bent. all damage was from the tire. i never expected that much damage from a 15 mph collision with a curb. there was no damage to the front bumper where the airbag crash sensors are located. cost to fix tire and fender = $1,200. cost to fix airbags/windshield/dash damage from airbags = $4,000. with little damage to the vehicle, the airbags deployed and the vehicle was totaled.*ak

Problems with car stalling, overheating, and the oil dip stick dislodging, car doors do not open properly from the inside or outside, possessing airbag was ejected. *jb

Dt: contact stated air bag warning light constantly illuminated. this happened twice on december 19, 2005. the vehicle was taken to a mechanic, whom could not find the source of the problem. there were no other symptoms of any problems with the vehicle.*ak

Dt: the contact's vehicle was involved in an accident. upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. the contact and her husband sustained injuries. she had broken ribs, a broken foot, and a cut on her head. the contact's husband had cuts on the head, a broken back, and had to receive a blood transfusion. the air bag light did not appear prior to the accident. the contact's insurance company picked up and impounded the vehicle. no further action has been taken. a police report was taken at the scene. *ak updated 05/04/06. *jb

I was making a left turn into a parking lot of a gas station, maybe going 5 mph. i ran over a curb with my front left tire. immediately after hitting the curb, my driver side and passenger airbags deployed, causing my windshield to shatter. through all of the smoke from the airbags, i looked down to see my arm had sustained a five inch burn. shortly thereafter, i was taken to the emergency room at a local hospital to receive treatment for the burn. i then had to return to the same hospital for continuous treatment of the 2nd degree burn every other day for a whole week. the estimated damages to the car are $4500+. my insurance claims adjuster went to the body shop lot where the car was towed to after the airbag deployment this past week (on oct. 4, 2005). there is a charge, of course for the replacement of airbags and installation and a charge for a new windshield. that is the only damage the car received. there was no damage at all to the body, tires or frame from running over the curb. i was under the impression that it took more than 5 mph and running over a curb to make the airbags deploy. *jb

Within two weeks of purchasing the 2000 ford focus the air bag sensor broke, the brakes began to squeal and less than a month later the ignition locked. the car cannot be started or moved due to the locked ignition. nothing was done about the brakes. the airbag light was replaced at a cost to me of $280.27. the ignition has not been repaired or addressed by the dealer. *nm

Dt: the contact stated the driver's side /curtain air bag deployed without warning. the vehicle was sitting still at the dealership. the dealer and manufacturer could not find the cause of the problem. *ak

I was turning left into a parking lot in my 2000 ford focus zts and the air bags deployed causing me to hit a curb. the car never came to a stop as does when normal air bag deployment occurs. in fact, i never even hit the airbags which is very lucky for me, after looking at other nhtsa complaints about air bag burns. when the passenger air bag deployed, it shattered the windshield. and when i went out to look at the car, i could see no damage other than that caused by the air bags. however, the towing company said there was damage around the tire which is the damage that occurred after the air bags deployed. when i contacted my dealer, they said that the air bags should've deployed if i hit a curb and came to a stop. but i did not come to a stop at all. in fact, i almost hit a parked vehicle because i could not see anything. i have contacted ford and am expecting a call from their legal department but i am expecting them to blame everything on me and try to trick me into believing it was all my fault. i would greatly appreciate any help i can get. *jb

While driving at 15 mph both the front driver's side and passenger's side air bags inadvertently deployed, resulting in damage to wheel after hitting curb caused by air bag deployment. the windshield was also shattered. *ak

Consumer would be unable to turn the key inside the ignition switch. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak consumer adds ignition is stuck when attempting to start vehicle. both rear doors will not open due to vehicle not starting. clock spring and steering lock assembly were replaced. *tt

While driving, and without warning another vehicle crossed over into the lane of the consumer and hit the consumers vehicle head on. both air bags did not deploy. the consumer was not injured. the vehicle was towed to the body shop. please fill in additional information. *jb

The latest in a long line of problems with my 2000 ford focus wagon occurred today. the airbag warning light came on yesterday and stayed on. i took it to my mechanic today who informed me that the restraint system is malfunctioning and my airbags may not work as a result. the cost of repair will be $640. i have had problems with the brakes, rotors, ignition switch, check engine light, etc. i have never experienced so many problems with a car before. the ford focus is a lemon and is unsafe. *ak

This complaint is concerning clarification of our previous complaints to nhtsa regarding the 2000 ford focus : #10104088 and #10107840. i am extremely concerned about the misinterpretation of data collected by your agency and posted for public review. deaths are not posted, nor are they included as injuries. this misrepresents the seriousness of the vehicle and equipment failures reported. *jb

Fatality vehicle fire, dec. 8 2004. my husband is the original owner of a 2000 ford focus, subject to numerous service visits to bill brown ford, livonia mi for: ignition, steering column, wheel bearing, brake, rear window control, seat belt &trunk latches, overhead light and engine light. the vacuum line & fuel pump & valve assembly were replaced 2/03, followed by stalling. in 6/03, a/c compressor & manifold line replaced. fuel line & pump failure in 8/03, resulted in gasoline spill on residential street minutes after parking. bogging followed repairs, pcm reprogrammed & leaking pvc tube replaced 1/04. fuel pump again replaced. in 8/04, our 24 year old son took ownership of this problematic car. we are uncertain as to whether vehicle malfunction caused a 35 mph collision with a fire hydrant. an immediate engine explosion and fuel fed fire trapped my son and his passenger. described by police as a relatively minor crash which would not be expected to claim lives, the subsequent unexplained engine fire claimed two young lives. a malfunctioning driver's airbag was also detected. this incident was originally reported to nhtsa by my husband (#10104088). i am supplying these additional facts for your clarification. please correct your posting of "0" injuries as there were 2 fatalities. please take effective action to save lives, as these trouble plagued vehicles seem to become more lethal as they age. confirmation of receipt of this information is requested. *nm *sc *jb

Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 mph. upon impact, air bags deployed but the substance in the air bag burnt through the driver's jacket sleeve and caused first and second degree burns to the arms. the jacket was made of 78% polyester and 27%rams. *ak

I was in the passenger side of my car while my boyfriend was driving it. we were going north on a city road in mississauga ontario canada, when my boyfriend attempted to change lanes. he looked over his shoulder to see his blind spot, but hadn't realized the traffic in our current lane had slowed to a stop. he turned back around and realized the traffic had been halted, so he hit the brakes to slow the car. with not enough room, we hit the car in front of us at 5 kilometers per hour. from such a small nudge, the airbags deployed, smashing my windshield, as well as my face! i ended up with a slight concussion, type 2 whiplash, and minor burns to my face and arm. i followed up with physiotherapy, but my neck pain will never go away. we had the windshield replaced and the airbags reset. no damage was done to the front of the car, or the rear of the car of the other vehicle.*jb

While turning the corner at 15 mph passenger's side mirror slightly hit a parked vehicle mirror. as a result, driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently. driver sustained a minor burn on the right arm. *ak

Consumer was having a problem with the directional signals. consumer had this problem repaired at 45,000 miles. currently, the vehicle at 76,000 miles the signals need to be replaced again. consumer went to the dealer and manufacturer, and was told warranty expired, and consumer will have to pay out of pocket. *ak the dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty clockspring. *nm

A minor accident occured in a parking lot. the car was travelling at approx. 10 mph and hit the rear end of anothe car which was stationery. the airbags inflated and caused minor injury to the driver and extensive damage to the car. a new windscreen is needed, new airbags need to be installed and there may be more as yet undiagnosed damage. it is my contention that the airbags should not have inflated and that the manufacturer should by rights cover the costs of all damages to the car related to the deployment of the airbags.*ak

During a auto collision the airbags in my 2000 ford focus se did not deploy. i hit a divider with my front end and my airbags did not work. *ak

Car purchased in dec. 03 in april 04 the air bag light just came on and stays on will not go off. have to pay $77 just for a diagnostic test to find out what is wrong. car has not been in any kind of accident therefore, the light shouldn't be on.*ak

Vehicle: 2000 ford focus, while driving down a residential road at approximately 20 mph, both front airbags deployed, causing damage to the dashboard and the windshield. i was injured, minor burns and a sprained wrist. the manufacturer claims that there is nothing they can do, that there is no problem with the airbags of the ford focus. the warranty on the car has run out, and the insurance also won't cover this.*ak

While driving air bag light illuminated and stayed lit the remainder of the time that vehicle was being operated. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

Airbag warning light has been illumanited for a month. not under extended warranty will cost nearly $100.to just look at. other compliants to the nhtsb ignored.*ak

While driving at 65 mph driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a head on collision with a wall. upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. the driver sustained minor injuries. *ak *sc *jb

While driving at 5 mph the vehicle was involved in a head on collision. the dual air bags deployed. as a result of air bag deployment the driver sustained second degree burns on the left arm. *ak (in re: driver's side air bag) the driver accidentally applied the gas pedal instead of the brakes and crashed into a store. there was a hesitation then the airbags deployed like an explosion. the airbags released an unknown chemical. *sc

When my airbag on my 2000 ford focus deployed, it burnt my hand. had i not been wearing gloves, it would have been much more severe.*ak

Airbag warning light in 2000 ford focus se came on and stayed on. diagnostic indicated that restraint control module failed at just over 50,000 miles.*ak

The vehicle was involved in a head on collision. the dual airbags deployed, however due to impact with the air bags the driver died. please provide additional information. *nlm consumer state that the driver of the vehicle which was his mother in law had a heart condition which may have caused the driver to pass out and hunch over the steering wheel while driving. the driver was not wearing a seat belt. the driver veered into the opposite lane and ran into a parked car. an eye witness saw the driver hunched over the wheel prior to the crash. the air bags deployed into the chest of the driver resulting in blunt force chest injuries to the chest and subsequently died of internal bleeding. the driver did not have any broken bones. cw

The consumer was driving when she saw a deer coming down a hill and stopped as the deer crossed. then a large truck passed the consumer in a 40 mile zone and a new deer hit the left side of the vehicle. the airbags did not deploy. *ak *sc the consumer suffered minor injuries. *jb