Subject:  faulty airbag deployment on Focus
Date:     5/24/2004

Thanks for setting up this site.  I'm curious if you have 
encountered anyone with airbag issues?  I own a 2003 Focus ZTS.
 
I was on the entrance ramp to a highway near my home in 
Overland Park, Kansas, that had some minor pothole issue, but 
nothing earth-shattering.  One of these potholes caused my side 
airbag in the passenger seat to deploy.  The "explosion" that 
went off 2 ft from my head caused me to slam on the brakes and 
veer to the right of the road.  If there had been a passenger 
in the car, I have no doubt that they would have been injured. 
 
The service department at Olathe Ford is refusing to repair this 
under warranty.  They argue that the sensors from the diagnostic 
that they ran indicate that the airbag should have deployed.  My 
argument is that the sensors are obviously overactive.  I'm also 
curious why the front passenger airbag would not have deployed 
as well.
 
In my opinion, this should be covered under the warranty.  The 
cost of repair is over $3000.
 
Thanks for your time. 
Rob