NHTSA Complaint #10594543 — 2007 FORD ESCAPE

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE, BREAKING MY EYE GLASSES AND COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WITH THE INFLATED AIR BAG. I SLOWED SOME BY GAUGING MY SPEED BY THE CARS NEXT TO ME (4 LANES OF TRAFFIC, 2 EACH DIRECTION). I KEPT PUSHING ON THE AIR BAG WITH ONE HAND, TRYING TO DEFLATE IT QUICKER, SO THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE AIR BAG DEFLATED ENOUGH TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND PULL ASIDE. I REMOVED THE FUSE TO THE HORN AS IT WAS SHORTED OUT WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CONTINUED ON TO MY HOME. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY ISSUED A LETTER REQUESTING A DEALER TO REMOVE THE RCM AND SEND IT TO THEM. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A DEALER TO DO THIS. FORD NOW WANTS TO DO NO MORE. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE A LOT A PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM WITH THIS MODEL. I REMAINED CALM WHEN MINE WENT OFF AND AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHO STARTLES EASY, THIS COULD RESULT IN A FATALITY. *TR