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Ford Escape and Transit side curtain airbags may not inflate

NHTSA campaign 20V415000 · Reported 2020-07-17 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious: the vehicle drives normally and there is no order to stop using it, but the side airbag may not do its job in a crash, so book the replacement as soon as you can.

What's wrong, in plain English

These vehicles have side curtain airbags that come down over the side windows in a crash to protect your head. A small part inside the airbag, which directs the gas that fills it, may not have been crimped on tightly. It can come loose from the inflator when the airbag goes off, so the curtain may not fill out the way it should and may not protect you properly in a crash. Dealers replace the curtain airbag units free.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your Escape or Transit is included in recall 20V415000.
2. Contact your Ford dealer, or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (Ford recall number 20S35), to schedule the work.
3. Have the side curtain airbag modules replaced — the repair is free and the recall has been open since January 11, 2021.

Affected vehicles (2)

2020 Ford Escape
2020 Ford Transit

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford airbag recalls: which models and years keep coming back? · all 13 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
Safety risk: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.