2006 Ford Focus Airbags Problems

While your sister was driving your 2006 Ford Focus on the highway, the driver's side airbag deployed unexpectedly without any crash occurring. The airbag released white powder and impacted her head, causing her to temporarily lose vision. She was able to safely pull over, but she was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed with head trauma, concussion, and whiplash. She continues to experience ongoing symptoms including headaches, foggy thinking, dizziness, and pain in her arm and leg. The repair will likely require replacing the airbag system, which may result in the vehicle being declared a total loss given its age and model.

You received a recall notice about your airbags, likely related to a Takata defect. You're concerned about your safety and your family's safety because of potential airbag issues. This recall suggests your airbags may not deploy properly in a crash or could deploy unexpectedly.

Your airbag warning light turns on when you start the engine and stays on, even though your car has never been in a major accident—only a minor sideswipe that scratched the bumper. You've checked under the front seats for debris and cycled the seat belts as instructed, but the light won't turn off. This likely indicates a problem with the airbag system's sensors or wiring that will need to be diagnosed with a scanner tool.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER AIR BAG RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

PURCHASED NEW, HAVE HAD IN TO FORD DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR AIR BAG LIGHT ON BOTH ON CLUSTER AND ON DASH. FORD DID WHAT AMOUNTED TO TEMP FIX 3 TIMES, I MOVED LATER PAID NEARLY $1OOO TO REPLACE PARTS. FIX LASTED FEW WEEKS. LIGHT OUT RIGHT NOW BUT ONE OR BOTH LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON ABOUT EVERY OTHER WEEK. FORD HAS BEEN USELESS AS TO PERMANENT FIX. HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH FORD F-250 BUT WITH ENGINE. MOVING OR STOPPED SOMEONE IN BOTH SEATS OR NOT IT KEEPS HAPPENING.

THE AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT INDICATOR IS 'ON' ON THE DASH BOARD. I AM AFRAID OF A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND NOT HAVE THE AIRBAG WORK. ALSO, THE WIPERS SCRAPE OR SKIP ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH THE WINDSHIELD AND BLADES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE SKIPPING CONTINUES NO MATTER THE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE WINDSHIELD.

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE.

VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE, UP AN EMBANKMENT AND INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OPERATOR WAS WEARING SEATBELT, STRUCK FOREHEAD ON STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED 20 STITCHES. OPERATOR WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, WHERE HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PUT ON A VENTILATOR BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE BLEEDING IN THE BRAIN. OPERATOR, THANKFULLY MADE A FULL RECOVERY, BUT WILL BE PERMANENTLY SCARRED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF ON THE CLUSTER BUT GOES OFF ON THE DASH. *TR

2006 FORD FOCUS WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO CAR ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE FORD FOCUS, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED (NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT), BUT DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES OF THE LEFT EYE INCLUDING ABRASIONS, BURNS, BRUISING, AND SWELLING/INFLAMMATION AFTER HITTING A HARD SURFACE. DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THERE WAS A DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WHICH RESULTED IN THE INJURIES. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. *TR

A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME HITTING THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE, THEN PUSHED INTO ONCOMING LANE (STOPPED CAR) THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS DESTROYED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ONLY AIR BAG TO GO OFF WAS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG (MINE.) I HAD MY SISTER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT & MY BROTHER IN THE BACK SEAT RIGHT SIDE. THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT WAS THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, MAINLY WHERE THE TIRE WAS. I STRONGLY FEEL AT LEAST THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE WENT OFF. *TR

1ST TIME, 08/21/2008, 35950, AIR BAG FAILURE OF DRIVERS SIDE, BILL SUMMERS FORD OF NORTH PLATTE FIXED. 2ND TIME APPROX. 09/2011AT 49000 MILES DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE AND BILL SUMMERS FORD FIXED IT AGAIN 3RD TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES DRIVERS AIR BAG WARNING IS ON AGAIN OF DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILURE. I DON'T BELIEVE SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS AIRBAGS SHOULD BE AN ONGOING MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS AND THAT THEY SHOULD ONLY HAVE DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

ON SUNDAY JULY 15, 2012 I WAS IN AUTO ACCIDENT IN WHICH CAR ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE SLIDE DOWN INTERSTATE AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN I HAD TO CLIMB OUT THRU DRIVER SIDE WINDOW TO EXIT CAR. THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. SUFFERED LIGAMENT DAMAGE IN NECK FROM SEAT BELT AND WHIPLASH BURN MARK ON LEFT ARM FROM SPARKS FLYING OFF THE CAR, AND BAD CONTUSIONS TO LUNGS FROM CHEST HITTING STEERING WHEEL. CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FILE CLAIM NO RESPONSE FROM THEM EVEN THO THEY WERE SUBMITTED PHOTOS OF PROOF THAT AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ETC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME LOOSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 148,000.

RE: 2006 FORD FOCUS ZX4 - IN MARCH 2011, AS I WAS DRIVING HOME UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG THAT IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE, RUN OVER ANYTHING, OR STOP SUDDENLY. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS IN MY LEFT EAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND BRUISING TO MY BACK/SHOULDER AREA FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG ALSO CRACKED A SECTION OF THE INSIDE OF MY CAR THAT HOUSES THE SEATBELT. WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, IT ALSO RIPPED APART THE UPHOLSTERY ON THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, SINCE THAT'S WHERE IT WAS LOCATED. THE NOISE AND JOLT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING CAUSED ME TO SWERVE ON THE ROAD, BUT LUCKILY I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR IS EXPIRED AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG OR REPAIR THE DRIVER'S SEAT, SO NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 FORD FOCUS WITH APROX 65,000 MILEAGE. RECENTLY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY, MORE OFTEN AND FOR MORE LENGTHY PERIODS MORE RECENTLY. IT SEEMS TO MATCH THE ISSUES OF NEW FORD PICKUP TRUCK RECALL IN WHICH AIRBAGS DEPLOY WITHOUT NOTICE OR CAUSE - RESULTING APPARENTLY FROM FRAYED/SHORTED SENSOR WIRES - PRECEDED BY ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR, AS OCCURS IN MY 2006 FORD FOCUS. IS THERE CAUSE FOR CONCERN WITH MY FAMILY'S USE OF THIS CAR? THANK YOU. *TR

INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT. VEHICLE PULLED OUT INTO MY PATH OF TRAVEL AND I WAS FORCED TO HIT THEIR VEHICLE HEAD ON AT 50 MPH. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT I SPUN AROUND AND OUR VEHICLES HIT AGAIN ON THE REAR QUARTER PANELS. NO AIR BAGS IN MY VEHICLE EVER DEPLOYED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 AND FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER THE PASSENGER SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG WENT OFF CAUSING THE CABIN TO FILL WITH SMOKE AND THE PASSENGER HAVE A SORE SHOULDER. WE WERE NOT IN A CRASH, DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE, ANIMAL, BUMP OR HAVE ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THE CAR. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AND TO TURN IT INTO INSURANCE. THE CAR HAS 69,500 MILES ON IT AND SHOULDN'T MATTER IF IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE BECAUSE AN AIRBAG SHOULD NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE GO OFF UNLESS YOUR IN A CRASH. INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM. CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP GETTING AN ESTIMATE. *TR

FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSAL TO WARRANT AIR BAG MODULE ON 2006 FORD FOCUS. ACCORDING TO FORD ,MODULE IS IN THE CONSOLE WHERE WATER GOT INTO IT. SHOULD THIS MODULE BE PLACED IN A SPOT WHERE WATER SHOULD NOT LEAK INTO IT. DURING A RAIN STORM ,THE CARPETS GOT WET. I WILL AGREE THAT WATER CAN DAMAGE COMPONENTS.IN THIS CASE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BECAME DISABLED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT FORD TOOK PROPER CARE IN THE PLACEMENT OR THE MODULE OR IN WATER PROOFING IN SOME MANNER..LET ME ADD THIS .THE FUEL PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES IS ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK,IT IS EXPOSED TO WATER YET SOME HOW IT IS PROPERLY SEALED .. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,660.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OR MORE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IF THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS. IN ADDITION, A TRACK HARNESS WAS NEEDED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TEST SHOWED NO ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY IF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 59,828. UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER THE CRASH. AS OF APRIL 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AND NON DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. *TR

AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *JB

DRIVING AT LEGAL SPEED MY SIDE DRIVERS AIRBAG DEPLOYS THEN EXPLODES UNDER MY LEFT ARMPIT CAUSING ME TO LOSS CONTROL, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. FORD TECHNICIANS PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS, NOTICED A SCRAPE ON PASSENGER UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE CONCLUSIONS WAS THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING ON THE RODE. THIS WAS A SMALL THREE INCH SCRAPE THAT SO CALLED CAUSED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. I DON'T BUY THAT. IN MY OPINION, THE BAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED BECAUSE NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I SUSTAINED BRUSHES AND LACERATIONS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND WILL TRADE IN. AGAIN, THE SCRAPE JUST REMOVED THE UNDER COATING, NO OTHER DAMAGE RESULTED. MY BEST GUESS WAS A ROCK. THESE SAFETY BAGS ARE NOT PREVENTING PERSONAL INJURY, BUT CAUSING THEM. *TR UPDATED 12-12-2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE BEFORE THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY THE ADDITIONAL FEE. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID STRIKING AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND A FEW TIMES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE, HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND FILED A REPORT. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED WHIPLASH, ONE OF WHOM WAS PREGNANT AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. FORD OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

MY SON WAS ON HIS WAY HOME AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH , NO ACCIDENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR BLINKS ON AND OFF. WHEN IT AIR BAG INDICATOR IS OFF THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. THIS BEGAN FOUR DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.

I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DOING A REVIEW OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE FORD FOCUS ONE OF WHICH WAS RELATING TO MY FATHER, WHERE ON INSTANCES THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE VEHICLES DURING THE INCIDENCE OF A CRASH. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NOTED ON SEVERAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE VEHICLE, WHERE IN DETERMINATION OF THE IMPACT SHOULD OF ACTIVATED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS BUT RATHER THE SYSTEM HAS NOT REACTED IN ANY FORM AS OF THUS FAR THERE HAS BEEN ON NOTED DEATH THAT I KNOW OF BEING MY FATHER, THEIR COULD BE OTHERS BUT UNSURE...I HAVE 5 NOTATIONS OF THIS HAPPENING THE VEHICLES WERE DIFFRENT PEOPLES, BOUGHT AT DIFFRENT TIMES, AND FROM DIFFRENT DEALERSHIPS. *AK