Problems · by component

2014 Ford Explorer air bags problems

47 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford Explorer cite air bags, 3% of all 1,684 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
47
3% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2025Air bagsODI 11663444
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11648238
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2024Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11625989
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11587527
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2024Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11583843
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2024Air bagsODI 11567600

Showing 6 of 47 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.