2019 Ford Expedition Airbags Problems

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). While driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching an intersection, the air bag warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound like a gunshot coming from the vehicle, and smoke was inside the vehicle. The front passenger’s seat belt unexpectedly deployed and retracted on the side of the vehicle. The seat belt failed to move and became inoperable. Prior to the failure, the owner's daughter was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ID

11751497

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

Mileage

81,000 mi

The airbag warning light illuminated on my 2019 Ford Expedition. My Ford dealer diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed that the condition is related to an active Ford safety recall. The dealer also confirmed that the defect disables the entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), meaning the airbags will not deploy in the event of a collision. I was informed that the recall replacement part will not be available until approximately December 2026 and that Ford will not authorize an interim repair or replacement using available parts. As a result, I am expected to continue driving a vehicle with a disabled airbag system for several months despite the known safety defect. The dealer advised that if I choose to have the vehicle diagnosed or repaired before the recall remedy becomes available, I must pay the costs myself and may only be eligible for reimbursement if Ford later authorizes it. This defect significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death because the airbags will not deploy in a crash. I am filing this complaint because a manufacturer should not leave owners without a functioning airbag system for months while waiting for recall parts.

NHTSA ID

11748011

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

On XXX, while driving my 2019 Ford Expedition (VIN: [XXX]) on the highway, the front passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner spontaneously deployed with a loud explosion and smoke. There was no accident, no impact, and no erratic driving. The seatbelt is now completely locked and unusable, and the entire SRS/Airbag system is disabled with a hard fault light on the dash. My vehicle is covered under the newly expanded Safety Recall 26S34 / NHTSA Campaign 26V344. I immediately visited an authorized Ford dealership (Covert Ford) seeking an interim repair or a safe loaner vehicle. The dealer refused to help, stated that the parts are unavailable, and handed me an internal printout stating that the FSA program is paused (Recall 24S06 Supplement #1). Ford and the dealership are forcing me to drive an unsafe vehicle with a compromised restraint system and disabled airbags, putting my family at extreme risk because they do not have a remedy or interim solution available. I am requesting immediate federal intervention to hold Ford accountable and compel them to provide a safe rental/loaner vehicle until the final recall remedy parts are available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11747570

Incident

Jun 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while slowing down and pulling into the driveway at 25 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag suddenly deployed without warning or impact. The seat belt struck the contact’s wife on the right arm and wrist, and she sustained bruises; however, medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was contacted and informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts) and 24V099000 (Seat Belts). A loaner vehicle was initially provided, but the dealer informed the contact that the loaner was his responsibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11746130

Incident

May 26, 2026

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and with the engine idling, the front passenger side seat belt pretensioner erroneously deployed, causing the passenger to be forcefully retracted into the seat. During the incident, an explosion had occurred, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The contact sustained an injured neck during the seat belt deployment. No medical treatment was required. After the incident, the air bag warning light had remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the failure had previously occurred on the front driver's side seat belt, also. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(SEAT BELTS). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11729065

Incident

Oct 24, 2025

Mileage

135,000 mi

Yesterday, while I was driving to pick up my kids from school, my 2019 Ford Expedition, the driver’s side seatbelt literally exploded — it went off like it would in a crash (but there was no crash). I was driving when it exploded and tightened so tight on me. Now the seatbelt doesn’t work at all. It was terrifying, so loud and painful. This is part of a known recall issue. When the dealership had my car back in May to replace my cam phasers, they told me the seatbelt recall parts weren’t available yet. Fast forward to now — the seatbelt has gone off, the vehicle can’t be driven safely, and Ford (both the local dealership and customer service) is saying there’s nothing they can do for me right now. The dealership told me I would have to pay to have it towed and pay for a rental. Also, they aren’t sure how fast they can get parts or diagnose it. I’m honestly at a loss. This is a safety recall, and I can’t use my car because of it. I literally just paid $2400 in may for my cam phasers and now this.

NHTSA ID

11682373

Incident

Aug 21, 2025

Passenger air bag light came on and passenger seat belt locked up also the transmission had to be fixed

NHTSA ID

11679214

Incident

Jul 22, 2025

***SEE CURRENT NHTS Report: 24V-099 AND MANUFACTURER RECALL: 24S06*** Airbag light illuminated. Scanned for SRS codes found: RCM- Restraint Control Module (B007E-13). Driver Seatbelt Pretensioner C Deployment Control - Circuit Open

NHTSA ID

11617545

Incident

Aug 29, 2024

Airbag light illuminated. Scanned for SRS codes found: RCM- Restraint Control Module (B007E-13). Driver Seatbelt Pretensioner C Deployment Control - Circuit Open.

NHTSA ID

11617539

Incident

Aug 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the passenger’s side front seat belt exploded. There was an abnormal banging noise heard and there was smoke inside the vehicle. While occupying the passenger's side front seat, the seat belt pulled hard, and the passenger was slammed against the seat. The driver was able to pull over safely. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11602278

Incident

Jul 14, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

In or around October I reported my Seatbelt tensioner/retractor explosive device deployed almost causing me to have an accident. After really complaining to Ford, they finally fixed it. Now my warning light came on pertaining to my passenger side tensioner. I also received the notice, and went to my dealership. They had the vehicle for a week and could not fix it. They said Ford has to ok it and supply the parts, and it could take all the way to the end of 2024. They gave me the vehicle back, refused a loaner and said their hands were tied. I can tell you first hand that someone may die or cause a serious accident if driving at high speed when the device deploys. It is as loud as a 45 cal or shotgun, inside the cab. The SPL is enormous and the seatbelt tightens 3 to 4 inches, causing disorientation, total fear and loss of control of the vehicle. My incident caused me to have irregular heartbeat and I ended up in the hospital. THEY NEED TO REPLACE THESE DEVICES ASAP, BEFOE SOMEONE DIES.

NHTSA ID

11595851

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with both the seat belt and driver's side air bags. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ID

11594475

Incident

Jun 8, 2024

Mileage

93,000 mi

Airbag pre-tensioner fired without any collision.

NHTSA ID

11561843

Incident

Dec 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the passenger’s side seat belt pretensioner was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front passenger’s side seat belt pretensioner suddenly deployed causing the driver to nearly lose control of the steering. During the failure there was no passenger seated in the front passenger's seat. There was no crash. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11551962

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

Mileage

97,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park, the seat belt was removed, and the contact heard a loud popping sound then the front driver’s side air bag inadvertently deployed. As a result of the failure, the seat belt retracted and burned the contact hand. No medical attention was required. The air bag warning light and the seat belt warning light illuminated. No medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt retractor pretensioner failed and the seat belt retractor pretensioner and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11548577

Incident

Sep 6, 2023

Mileage

72,000 mi

Vehicle parked and had just been started. Went to put on dvr seatbelt and a loud explosion happened to my left and the seatbelt shoulder strap was pulled out of my fingers. The driver seatbelt pretensioner activated without a collision and the cab filled with smoke. Vehicle has never been in a collision, ever had a restraint malfunction, is the original OEM safety component, and hasn’t been serviced/replaced for a seatbelt/airbag issue. Now, the air bag light is activated and the seatbelt is tightly fully retracted to the pillar so tight it can’t be moved at all. Access to the onboard computer can verify all the above info. Dealership stated there was an activation of the pretensioned charge on the driver seatbelt resulting in the belt fully retracting and the seatbelt no longer functioning. 2nd 2019 Ford Expedition they have seen this week with the same mishap. If this would have deployed at highway speeds, a driver may have been startled due to the loud explosion in the cab and lost control of the vehicle (I was parked). Smoke immediately entered the occupant compartment. The seat belt retracted so quickly/tightly, injury to one’s chest would have occurred.

NHTSA ID

11542745

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

On July 24th 2023, at approximately 2:15pm my wife and I were completely stopped at a red traffic light on 66th St N that crosses Ulmerton Rd in Pinellas County Florida. We were talking and listening to the radio, when all of a sudden, a loud shotgun or explosive sound filled the vehicle. I got hit with something in the chest that felt like a punch or a kick, knocking me out of breath. But my wife only heard the extremely loud noise. I was clutching my chest in pain as I thought I was shot. When the light turned green, I immediately pulled into a Dunkin donuts parking lot, and we exited the vehicle. There was no damage whatsoever on the inside and outside of the vehicle, but we smelled gun powder. My driver's seatbelt was stuck in the retracted position. I slowly drove to my home at 6500 30th Avenue N, St Petersburg, Fl 33710. I immediately called the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department to report the incident, because at the time I thought it was a gunshot. They have a record under my phone number. I had no idea what the loud gun sound was, so I started to research and found the driver's seat belt tensioner charge must have gone off. I called Auto Nation Ford and made an emergency appointment to bring the vehicle in. I explained everything to them, then dropped the vehicle off. Upon doing a full inspection, the Auto Nation Ford mechanic determined there was a factory short in the air bag circuit, which caused the seatbelt tensioner charge to explode. They found the location, under the center console & replaced all necessary wiring, sensors, modules, tensioner & seatbelt. I researched and found recalls for 2020 Expeditions and 2018 F150 pickups, but there was no recall for the 2019 Expedition. I can't imagine what would have happened if we were going fast on an interstate when it happened. Now I get in my 2 Ford vehicles and worry about it happening again. t turned out the kick in the chest was the seatbelt retracting 4 inches pulling me back in the seat.

NHTSA ID

11536777

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40 -45 mph, he collided with a Volkswagen Jetta that cut him off. All the airbags in the vehicle deployed. The contact son was occupying the front passenger seat but the seat belt failed to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel air bag struck the driver in the mouth. The passenger had scratches, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11496634

Incident

Dec 7, 2022

Mileage

89,000 mi