NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE26008
Preliminary Evaluation · Ford Motor Company · AIR BAGS
This investigation is open. That is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
Burn Injuries From Side Airbag Deployment
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 8 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 4 Early Warning Reporting “Death and Injury” reports alleging burn injuries following side airbag deployment in model years 2021-2026 Ford Explorer vehicles. Consumers have described that during a crash involving deployment of the seat-mounted side airbag, they sustained burn injuries. Burn injuries have been reported for both drivers and front passengers and were typically diagnosed as second or third-degree burns requiring medical treatment. Some of the VOQs report injuries to law enforcement officers following side airbag deployments in Ford Explorer Police Interceptors. ODI has opened this PE to evaluate the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- PE26008
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Open
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- AIR BAGS
- Opened
- Nov 6, 2026
- Closed
- Not recorded
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded — the inquiry is ongoing
Vehicles named in this investigation
6 model years across 1 model
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.