2016 Ford Explorer airbags problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed May 15, 2026OKCrash2 injuredTowedAirbags

   Description of Incident: The driver, [XXX] , was idling on a road near Lake Murray when her vehicle was rear-ended. Despite the force of the impact requiring Ms. [XXX] to be rushed to the hospital, the vehicle’s airbags failed to deploy. Post-Accident Concerns: Following the collision, the CEO of RideCare had the vehicle moved immediately to avoid public scrutiny. I have reason to believe the company is intentionally withholding the vehicle from inspection to prevent the XXX…

   NHTSA complaint #11738165 · source
2. Filed Apr 23, 2026TXAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   I have an airbag light on as well as the 2nd row inflatable seatbelt has stopped working. I took it into the dealership and they said it was generating codes B141B and B141C. Ford issued a Customer satisfaction program 21B11 specifically to fix this problem in 2022 but it expired less than a year later. Now my air bag and my seatbelt don't work. Ford knows about the safety defect and their dealers are charging people to fix it ($2400 in this case) rather than stand behind…

   NHTSA complaint #11733430 · source
3. Filed Aug 22, 2025NYAirbags

   air bag light illumination on occasion, ford confirmed and suggested $1000 repair. seems like a safety issue that is a manufacturer defect. vehicle has been maintained and rear seat rarely used.

   NHTSA complaint #11682350 · source
4. Filed Jun 2, 2025TXAirbags

   The rear seats in my 2016 ford explorer platinum have a know air bag issue that ford said is not a safety issue when addressed. It is a know issue by ford and they refuse to fix it because it is not under recall. The air bag light illuminate due to a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector which in turn will cause the rear airbags to not deploy during an accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11664448 · source
5. Filed Dec 3, 2024KYAirbags

   As I was driving the vehicle the airbags deployed without a collision. I was in the car with my wife and 2 month old son. Had we been going full speed it could've been much worse than it was. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The car has not been inspected in any way. The insurance company is currently attempting to deny the claim based on pictures alone. There were no warning lamps prior to the airbag deployment regarding the airbags. We did not hit…

   NHTSA complaint #11628617 · source
6. Filed Oct 3, 2024CACrashTowedAirbags

   The passenger side knee airbag went off in an accident causing my dad to have severe lacerations to both legs and a sprained ankle. Those were his only injuries from the accident. All caused by one airbag. There is a good chance he will need a skin graft on one of his legs. The emt and firefighters all said that they have never seen an airbag down there and loon like that. What it did to his legs is horrible. And should have never of happened.

   NHTSA complaint #11617797 · source
7. Filed Sep 28, 2024HIAirbags

   Air Bag light on. Per Dealer service center diagnostics, driver side air bag module FB5Z*78043B13*AA defective. Module replaced, however air bag light on persists. Additional diagnostic determined that air bag clockspring component defective.

   NHTSA complaint #11617066 · source
8. Filed Aug 12, 2024GAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the front passenger's side seat and the second-row rear passenger's side seat. The mechanic plugged an unknown wiring; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the…

   NHTSA complaint #11607926 · source
9. Filed Mar 12, 202455,000 miNCAirbags

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, however, the failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11576984 · source
10. Filed Feb 23, 2024104,000 miKYAirbagsBody & StructureVisibility & Wipers

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was windy sound coming from the front passenger's side door while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water accumulated between the front driver's side door and the body of the vehicle, which caused water to pour inside the vehicle while opening the door. The contact also noticed that water was leaking from the driver's…

    NHTSA complaint #11573627 · source
11. Filed Jan 26, 2024MNAirbags

    2016 Ford Explorer. the air bag warning light was illuminated it was coming off and on and now stays on. took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired.

    NHTSA complaint #11568100 · source
12. Filed Nov 2, 2023KSAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Back up camera went out and later came on. Today we have been driving the last hour with airbag indicator on. Camera incident was 10-29-2023.

    NHTSA complaint #11553254 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology