2014 Ford Explorer Airbags Problems

Airbag light is activated and controls do not work.

NHTSA ID

11730607

Incident

Jan 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt inflator sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test retrieved DTC: B141B-13. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11663444

Incident

May 1, 2022

Mileage

80,000 mi

Ford explorer had known issues with connectors under the rear passenger seats which they did a recall for certain VIN numbers. They said it only effected certain VPN which were from a specific factory in Chicago I have the same issue and my VIN is not listed and Ford and the dealership will not do anything to help fix the problem. If I pay out of pocket they want 500 dollars to fix it. The issue is Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt - In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate as a result of a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector and if the light is on that means the air bags will not work.

NHTSA ID

11648238

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light was blinking off and on. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the second-row seat belt harnesses had an electrical issue which was preventing the air bags from functioning as needed in the rear seat harnesses and the passenger and driver's frontal air bags. The dealer referenced Technical Service Bulletin Number: 16-0001 as a possible fix to repair the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair but declined to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11625989

Incident

Sep 27, 2024

Mileage

50,000 mi

My airbag light on it just turned on this morning then started flashing

NHTSA ID

11612974

Incident

Sep 6, 2024

The contact owned a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the driver of the vehicle ahead abruptly braked; as a result, the contact collided with the rear of the vehicle ahead. The air bags did deploy; however, the contact stated that the driver's side air bag failed to fully deploy, only inflating to the size of a volleyball, and the front passenger side air bag caused the glove box panel to detach and become a projectile that resulted in injury to the passenger. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported herself and her husband to an area hospital, where her husband was treated for various cuts and bruises to his legs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11587527

Incident

May 7, 2024

Mileage

158,115 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed abruptly merged into his lane and collided with the contact on the front passenger side of the vehicle, sending the vehicle careening to the shoulder of the roadway and coming to a complete stop after colliding with a guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but later towed to a body shop for repair. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. All occupants were transported to an area hospital by EMS for treatment. The contact was treated for non-descript injuries to his back and neck; the front passenger was treated for non-descript injuries to his back and neck as well as nerve damage; and the rear passenger was treated for non-descript injuries to his head and neck. Both passengers later required extensive rehabilitation as a result of the injuries they sustained during the accident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11583843

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the sensor located in the steering rack was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11567600

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

Mileage

126,000 mi

Air bag light stay on

NHTSA ID

11566675

Incident

Jan 18, 2024

Mileage

115,894 mi

Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over $350. Both dealer and Ford refused to cover this repair. I am very dissapointed.

NHTSA ID

11545460

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer for an undisclosed unrelated failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 and the contact was advised to call the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 had expired and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11534610

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

Mileage

77,000 mi

Air bag light is illuminated even after being cleared at the dealership. They claim its in the backseat only and that my airbag will still deploy, which to my knowledge is untrue. They refuse to help solve the issue afte purchasing from them only two weeks ago

NHTSA ID

11528140

Incident

Jun 20, 2023

I purchased the Explorer used in November 2022 and almost immediately began having problems with the Air Bag light coming on intermittently. I contacted the dealership and had it in for repairs multiple times but was told if the light isn't currently illuminated they could not determine the issue. Last time I took it to the dealership the light was on when I dropped it off but they said it was not on when they inspected the vehicle. I picked it up and on the way home the light came on and has now been on constantly for two weeks. I went back to the dealership but they are unable to look at it until next week. I've been told if I were to be in an accident my airbags would not deploy. After some research, I've found this to be an extremely common issue that affects the safety of numerous individuals driving this model vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11521486

Incident

Nov 10, 2022

Airbag warning light randomly comes on and stays on! When Turing the steering wheel there is a loud annoying squeaky/squeal noise coming from the front end which is supper scary

NHTSA ID

11502237

Incident

Oct 19, 2022

Air bag light came on, when I took it in to get looked at they said the wiring harness is faulty and it has been reported by ford as a common issue on this vehicle. As of right now due to the faulty wiring harness rear air bags will not deploy in an accident. They will not cover the expenses of changing it and are charging $600 for the harness plus the labor.

NHTSA ID

11436266

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

I was in an accident driving ro work. Driver was coming off if a local freeway and slammed into the driver side at the front portion of driver door and wheel location. My vehicle was thrown across 3 lanes of traffic and half way onto a side walk. I slammed my head so hard on the driver door glass that it broke the window. Airbags did not deploy at any time. I was not going very fast but the other driver was racing to get threw a yellow light that had already turned red at the time of impact throwing the vehicle as stated above at an undetermined speed

NHTSA ID

11420700

Incident

May 30, 2021

The systems that failed were the airbags, abs, and trac. The airbags would not have deployed in case of an accident. I took it to the Ford dealership and they had to replace the Restraint Control Module.

NHTSA ID

11419134

Incident

May 1, 2021

AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO FAULTY WIRING , COSTS 600 TO REPAIR . THIS IS SECOND FORD CAR WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD PROBLEM WAS IN BACK SEATS. NO ONE EVER USES BACK SEATS.

NHTSA ID

11405929

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BECAME DETACHED DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE WIRES AND WITH THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING, IT CAN CAUSE THE WIRES TO COME OUT OF PLACE. THE ENTIRE WIRING SYSTEM THAT CONNECTS TO THE SEATBELTS AND IMPACTS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP ON MY DASH & I WAS TOLD NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WORKED IN MY VEHICLE IF THIS LIGHT WAS ON. THE REPAIR HAD TO BE DONE AS A SAFETY MEASURE TO ENSURE THE AIR BAGS WOULD WORK AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON ONE DAY AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON.

NHTSA ID

11404670

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

Mileage

35,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WHICH DISABLES ALL AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE, MAKING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS ISSUE. UPON DIAGNOSES IT APPEARS FORD MOCO IS AWARE OF A FAULTY ISSUE UNDER THE SECOND ROW SEATS FOR THE OPTIONAL SEATBELT AIRBAGS, AS ISSUED WITH FORD TSB 16-0001, TO DATE FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO SERVICE THE KNOW ISSUE. THE AVERAGE REPAIRS ARE COSTING CONSUMERS AROUND $1,000 +/- FOR THE REPAIRS, THUS TOO MANY CONSUMERS ARE BYPASSING THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE HIGHER COSTS AND THUS DRIVING 'NEWER/MODERN' VEHICLES WITHOUT STANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT ACTIVE.

NHTSA ID

11398307

Incident

Feb 26, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

DURING MY TRAVEL INTO WORK TODAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. FORD HAS EVEN RELEASED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. (HTTPS://FORD.OEMDTC.COM/1203/AIR-BAG-WARNING-LIGHT-ILLUMINATED-WITH-DTC-B141B-B141C-2014-2016-FORD-EXPLORER). THIS FAULT SHUTS DOWN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE. FORD HAS RECOGNIZED THIS AS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11311603

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

94,412 mi

8/10/2019 SERVICE AT FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE AT TED BRITT AUTO CENTER IN FAIRFAX, VA. VEHICLE HAS $63,528 MILES. REPORT INDICATED TO RECOMMEND TSB16-0001 TO ADDRESS AIR BAG LIGHT. QUOTE $1060 PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REPORTED CLAIM TO FORD TO COVER WHICH THEY DENIED. NOTICED MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD.

NHTSA ID

11281439

Incident

Aug 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHINO HILLS FORD (4480 CHINO HILLS PKWY, CHINO, CA 91710), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11267752

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAM GALLOWAY FORD LINCOLN (800 BOY SCOUT DR, FORT MYERS, FL 33907, (888) 699-0916) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBER: 16-0001. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11242068

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

TAKATAT RECALL?? I GOT IN MY CAR 1 MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND I COULDN'T GET THE MALE PART OF DRIVERS SEATBELT INTO THE FEMALE PART OF SEATBELT. MY DIVERS AIRBAG SEATBELT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 MONTHS. I CANNOT BUCKLE DRIVERS SEATBELT INTO THE FEMALE PART OF THE SEATBELT SO WHEN I AM BY MYSELF I BUCKLE DRIVER SEATBELT INTO PASSENGER SEATBELT. I CALLED MARSHALL FORD IN O'FALLON MISSOURI THEY TOLD MY I NEEDED TO PAY $150.00 FOR THEM TO PUT MY CAR ON THE MACHINE FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SENSOR IS BAD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $150.00 MUCH LESS PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PLEASE TELL ME IF THERE IS ANOTHER FIX. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. HELP!

NHTSA ID

11219726

Incident

Apr 25, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi