2017 Ford Explorer Airbags Problems

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11714106

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 15 MPH traveling southbound, the occupant of a Chevrolet Impala driving at approximately 55 MPH allegedly fell asleep, veered into her lane, and crashed into the driver's front end. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel was bent three inches toward the dashboard. The transmission was fractured during impact. The contact mentioned that the airbag deployed late and may have been too powerful. The impact forced the vehicle back about 40 feet. The driver sustained injuries resulting in broken rib bones, a broken sternum bone, and four herniated discs, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to the auction lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage is approximately 135,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11691164

Incident

Aug 16, 2025

Mileage

135,000 mi

Constant fail of O2 sensor and ABS causing check engine and ABS lights to come on. After diagnosis, did research and it is a common problem on Ford Explorers

NHTSA ID

11687050

Incident

Sep 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the wiring harness located on the passenger’s side of the vehicle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,737.

NHTSA ID

11685789

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

Mileage

57,737 mi

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic, and the contact was informed that the air bag wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure,e and a case was filed. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11658962

Incident

Apr 16, 2025

Mileage

45,000 mi

The air bag light is illuminated as a result of a worn/damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector.

NHTSA ID

11654690

Incident

Apr 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with air bag light row #2 inflatable found on higher wire circuit installed, and the was fuse replaced. Additionally, row #2 buckle, rear center row passengers seat, rear driver seat would not buckle, and that the passenger seat buckle was internally fractured, and the buckle assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11645633

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

Mileage

104,000 mi

The airbag light on my vehicle comes on quite often. If there is a passenger sitting in the seat, it tells me that the airbags off. Nothing has happened yet but if the airbag doesn’t go during your crash, could cause severe injury. Can be inspected but plan to see what issue is and have it fixed soon.

NHTSA ID

11635611

Incident

Jan 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side the A-pillar applique trim had a split in the middle causing rainwater and dirt to enter the vehicle. As a result of the failure, the sunroof motor was damaged and then failed to operate. The local dealer was called, and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. On another occasion, while driving at various speeds, while making a left or right turn there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the steering. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened when turning to the right. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the A-pillar applique trim was not likely the reason for the failure of the sunroof motor and that a 2-hour diagnostic test needed to be completed to determine the cause of the failure; however, the repair would be paid out of pocket. The contact was reminded that the A- Pillar applique trim part was still not available. The contact was informed that the clock spring had failed and needed to be immediately replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11622602

Incident

Aug 19, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

This is the second time again 15 minutes that I've had to continue to put in these complaints about the recalls it is you know everything else about not being notified about all the recalls which I think there are between 10 and 12 all the way from the rear towing to the a pillars to the headlight all the way down to the Cadillac converter cam trimming assembly etc not been notified one time bye anyone nothing George Coleman Ford dealership. Very unprofessional and I'm very [XXX] right now I've spoke LOL let the message for James Farley CEO of Ford and I will be letting him know everything that has been going on because of the a pillars of water has been able to get inside the vehicle because that is the rubber around the front windshield which is supposed to have been you know done accurately and which it wasn't because if it was there wouldn't be a recall but I'm getting [XXX] to have to find out all these recalls on my own and for the Ford dealership where I bought the vehicle has not tried to reach out whatsoever even about the roof rack recall they have the parts in but they had not notified me so therefore if anything happens during the for the headlight if I get a ticket y'all will be held responsible if I get into a bad car wreck y'all will be held responsible because of the rear toe link that's a very important part because it will make you crash into a ditch and die and yeah I'm just I'm [XXX] right now I can't wait for James Farley to call me back because he's going to he's going to find out how [XXX] I am and I'll go above the CEO and talk to the Ford family about these issues along with leaving bad reviews and y'all get deducted for every complaint. There's one person at George Coleman Ford that I would like to extend my gratitude towards and I don't know his first name his name is Mr Shockley that is a great man he's been the most helpful and he has went above and beyond to help me and my wife when I did ask him about the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

NHTSA ID

11595945

Incident

Jun 22, 2024

The air bag warning light came on solid (on solid, not blinking).

NHTSA ID

11581416

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

Air bag light came on the dash board Headed to dealer to see why Code B141C Cost to repair the problem was very high not covered by warranty The problem seems to me a poor design. Because of this weak design I feel this puts passengers in danger.

NHTSA ID

11575483

Incident

Mar 4, 2024

Before the safety recalls for the rear suspension the vehicle made a loud noise almost like helicopter blades from the rear. It stopped after the recall was fixed but has started again. The air bag light has been on since about a month after I bought the vehicle. After about 9 attempts of taking it to the ford dealership for them to look at it with no luck I believe it’s due to a broken seatbelt in the rear that nobody has a part for.

NHTSA ID

11527542

Incident

Jun 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11490136

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

Mileage

114,000 mi

Husband returning home, pulled into carport and as he removed foot from accelerator to brake, accelerator pedal kept accelerating. This caused explorer to hit carport awning, classic 65 mustang, 2007 Harley and shed. Airbags did not work. Accelerator is still pressed to floorboard.

NHTSA ID

11489341

Incident

Oct 14, 2022

Airbag light illuminated on dash board. No airbags in vehicle working. Have taken vehicle to the dealership 7-9 times to be serviced, always told it is a sensor that is loose or a seatbelt. This was not reported on the Carfax when I got the vehicle and started shortly after. I was once told none of the airbags in the bag of the vehicle were functioning but taping the senor (under the seat) with electrical tape fixed it. So many recalls on this vehicle, too dangerous to drive with no working airbags. Also the recall on the roof racks cause my vehicle to leak when it rained, ford service told me this was not possible. never looked at the problem and after the recall was fixed (after I asked twice) the vehicle stopped leaking, now the sunroof does not work. I have contacted Ford Cooperate about these issues also and they refused to help.

NHTSA ID

11453068

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

The airbag light on driver's side goes on randomly, seems with automatic movement of seat each time I get in and out of the car. If the airbag doesn't work it impairs my degree of safety in involved in an accident. The vehicle has not yet been inspected as it is $125 per hour to have it looked at. No other warning lamps or signals. It just randomly goes on and off - and stays on while driving.

NHTSA ID

11443464

Incident

Dec 6, 2021

My daughter and I had a car accident she was driving and I was in the passenger side on April 28 the car side swiped us tried to avoid from hitting her in the back the seatbelts locked but the airbags never deployed none of the recalls were fixed and Ford denied my claims for nothing will not send out an investigator to check the car my insurance said it’s a total loss so I did get hurt in the accident and I want to be compensated please call me [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11422211

Incident

Apr 28, 2021

THE REAR SUSPENSION STARTED WITH A LOWER NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, WHENEVER I MAKE TURNS OR THE ROAD IS A LITTLE ROUGH. TO THIS DAY IS GETTING A LOT WORSE, MORE NOISE AND UNSTABLE WHEN I TAKE TURNS. ALSO THE SEAT BELT LIGHT COME ON, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE IS MALFUNCTION AND NEED TO RESET OR REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE.

NHTSA ID

11407826

Incident

Aug 6, 2019

CAR PULLED IN MY LANE MY CAR AUTO BREAKED, I ALSO PUT ON BREAK THEN ICON CAME ON ABOUT AIRBAG ISSUE. TOOK TO FORD RUN TEST. THE PIG TAIL THAT GOES TO AIRBAGS, NEED TO SAUTER 21 PINS THAT GOES TO CONNECTION OF PIGTAIL TO AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID

11384294

Incident

Nov 16, 2020

Mileage

56,573 mi

THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH IS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE FAULT CODES INDICATE THAT TWO WIRE HARNESSES OR CONNECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST OF SERVICE WAS QUOTED AS $1600. HOWEVER, MILEAGE (46,500) AND AGE (4 YEARS) WOULD INDICATE THAT REPAIR SHOULD BE MADE UNDER 5 YR / 60,000 MI WARRANTY. FORD HAS DENIED WARRANTY. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY PHONE AND EMAIL MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT RESOLUTION. THEY POINT TO THE WIRE HARNESS AS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SRS SYSTEM NOT WORKING AND CLAIM THAT THE WIRE HARNESS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11362531

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

46,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SALERNO DUANE FORD 245 BROAD ST, SUMMIT, NJ 07901 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11309017

Incident

Feb 6, 2020

Mileage

42,000 mi

WHEN STARTING I NOTICED THE FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON INDICATING A MALFUNCTION FURTHER EXAMINATION INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SRS NOT INDICATING PROPER ILLUMINATION UPON START UP AND THAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE ALWAYS ON FRONT AIRBAG WARNING UNLESS PASSENGER OCCUPYING SEAT IN OTHER WORDS IF THE INDICATOR TEST AT START UP FAILS THE SYSTEM TURNS ON THE FRONT AIRBAG LIGHT UNTIL SOMEONE IN SEAT/ IT ALSO MEANS IS A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE OBSERVED AS THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ALREADY TURNED ON FOR THE EARLIER REASON *LN INVALID VIN *JB*JB

NHTSA ID

11299261

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS AN NHTSA RECALL NOTICE#:19V435 AND A FORD ISSUED RECALL#:19S17 WHICH INDICATES AS FOLLOWS: RECALL DESCRIPTION: REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK REPLACEMENT. RISK TO SAFETY: A FRACTURE OF A REAR TOE LINK SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHES STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH! I HAVE CONTACTED 3 DIFFERENT DEALS IN MY AREA (ECINO, CA, 91316) ALL SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, ON THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH, 2019 I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SEE IF THE ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED BUT I GOT THE SAME ANSWER. THEY SAID I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY BACK ORDERED WITH NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE CAN BE RESOLVED. THEY HAVE ASKED ME IF I WOULD LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO "LEMON" THE VEHICLE AND BUY IT BACK, I REPLIED: "ABSOLUTELY YES". THEY HAVE OPENED A CASE#: [XXX] I AM SERIOUSLY WORRIED FOR MY LIFE WHEN DRIVING THE FORD EXPLORER. I SUFFER FROM UNDERSTEERING WHENEVER I ATTEMPT A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. AT SPEED OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL START SHAKING GIVING ME A SENSE OF ALMOST NO GRIP TO THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, I CONSTANTLY HAVE THE "FRONT AIRBAG" LIGHT ON (SEE PICTURE ATTACHED) THE DASHBOARD, BOTH WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION & STATIONARY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED BEFORE AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE (THE SERVICE TECH SAID THAT THE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONED AND IN A CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, "FRONT AIRBAG" MIGHT NOT DEPLOY!!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD. I HERE BY CERTIFIE THAT MY VEHICLE IS SERVICED ON TIME (SEE PICTURE ATTACHED) AND CURRENTLY HAS 29,492 MILES ON IT (SEE PICTURE ATTACHED). I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS NHTSA PART IN ALL OF THIS, BUT IF YOU CAN HELP ME DEAL WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES AND GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE, L WILL BE VERY PLEASED AND APPRECIATIVE. RESPECTFULLY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID

11223098

Incident

May 2, 2019

Mileage

28,526 mi

THE SECOND ROW SEATBELT AIRBAGS CONTINUE TO SET OFF THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND FORD TECHNICIANS CAN FIND NOTHING TO CORRECT. SENSOR SET OFF WHILE DRIVING AND PASSENGER BELTED INTO DRIVER SIDE SECOND ROW SEAT BELT THAT CONTAINS A SEATBELT AIRBAG.

NHTSA ID

11194491

Incident

Apr 7, 2019

Mileage

47,000 mi