2007 Ford Escape XLt HOW DO I TURN OFF PASSANGER AIRBAGS?

Answer 1

Tim- You don't turn off the passenger airbags. It is done automatically, as part of the "personal safety system"
Please read the following excerpts (copied) from your owners manual:
(page 100)
"The front passenger sensing system can automatically turn off the
passenger front airbag. The system is designed to help protect small
(child size) occupants from airbag deployments when they are
improperly seated or restrained in the front passenger seat contrary to
proper child-seating or restraint usage recommendations. Even with this
technology, parents are STRONGLY encouraged to always properly
restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger
front airbag and passenger seat-mounted side airbag (if equipped) when
the passenger seat is empty.
When the front passenger seat is occupied and the sensing system has
turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the “pass airbag off” indicator
will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal
airbag is off. See Front passenger sensing system in the airbags section
of this chapter."
(page 115)
"Front passenger sensing system
The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208
and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal
airbag under certain conditions.
The front passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of
the front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to
detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the
front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or
disabled (will not inflate)"
(page 116)
"The front passenger sensing system will disable (will not inflate) the
front passenger’s frontal airbag if:
• the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in
the front seat,
• the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant
seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
• the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing
child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s
instructions,
• the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
• a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of
time,
For side airbag equipped vehicles, the front passenger sensing system
will turn off the passenger seat side airbag if:
• the seat is empty and safety belt is unbuckled.
The front passenger sensing system
uses a
passenger airbag off
or
pass
airbag off
indicator which will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you
that the front passenger frontal airbag
is off. The indicator lamp is located in
the center stack of the instrument
panel just below the radio.
Note: The indicator lamp will illuminate for a short period of time when
the ignition is turned to the ON position to confirm it is functional.
When the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the
event that the front passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate), the
indicator lamp will be unlit.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not
inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when a rear facing infant
seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected.
• When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag, the indicator lamp will illuminate and stay
lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled.
• If the child restraint has been installed and the indicator lamp is not
lit, then turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the
vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions."

There is actually more info but I don't want to "copy" the whole manual here. I think this should answer your question. If you want to read more , her is the link to download your whole owners manual:
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WO7204/~MUS~LEN/34/07204og2e.pdf

Answer 2

Check with the owners manual. I believe that if there is no weight in the passenger seat, the bag will not deploy. good luck.

Answer 3

there is a switch, look at your manual for switch location. or stop by the service center at the dealer late in the afternoon when they r not busy and ask. they will be happy to help.