The passenger airbag cover on a 2008 or newer Escape is secured with tabs along the top and right edges. Open the glove box and reach up to the inside of the airbag cover to release the tabs.
Before you remove any airbag, you should discharge the system, just to make sure the something doesn't deploy while you're trying to remove it.
1) Turn off all accessories.
2) Turn the ignition off.
3) Remove fuse #32 from the interior fuse box on the right front side of the center console. It's a 10A fuse.
4) Turn the ignition to ON. The airbag warning light should light and stay lit for more than 30 seconds (if not, the wrong fuse was removed).
5) Turn the ignition off.
6) Disconnect the battery ground cable and leave it disconnected. Wait at least one minute before working on the airbag system.
When you're done, and all airbags are reconnected:
1) Turn the ignition switch from OFF to ON.
2) Reinstall fuse #32 (10A) to the interior fuse box. Make sure no one is in the vehicle and there is nothing blocking or placed in front of any air bag module when the battery is connected. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
3) Reconnect the battery ground cable.
4) Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to ON and visually monitor the air bag warning indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag warning indicator will light continuously for approximately 6 seconds and then turn off.