2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light stays on
- 65owner reports
- 51,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Apr 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
65 of the 99 reports of airbag on the 2016 Explorer describe airbag light on.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (99 reports) · also: Takata airbag recall
Tick what matches of 65 reports
Airbag light on on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the warning light itself: an airbag or SRS light that stays on, or comes and goes, with no crash involved. The light is the car saying part of the airbag system may not work when it's needed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the airbags covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Explorer
Mis-assembled airbag clockspring. Closed feb 25, 2003.
Inoperative air bag system. Closed jul 2, 2002.
Airbag system's light dysfunctional. Closed may 23, 2000.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
25 of the 65 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $1,100.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 77,711 miles, from the 44 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
FORD EXPLORER 2014-2016: BULLETIN INFORMATION INVOLVING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SECOND ROW INFLATABLE SEAT BELTS MAY EXHIBIT AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH DTC B141B AND B141C. *LJ
What owners wrote
“air bag light illumination on occasion, ford confirmed and suggested $1000 repair. seems like a safety issue that is a manufacturer defect. vehicle has been maintained and rear seat rarely used.”
Filed Aug 22, 2025
“The rear seats in my 2016 ford explorer platinum have a know air bag issue that ford said is not a safety issue when addressed. It is a know issue by ford and they refuse to fix it because it is not under recall. The air bag light illuminate due to a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector which in turn will cause the rear airbags to not deploy during an accident.”
Filed Jun 2, 2025
“Air Bag light on. Per Dealer service center diagnostics, driver side air bag module FB5Z*78043B13*AA defective. Module replaced, however air bag light on persists. Additional diagnostic determined that air bag clockspring component defective.”
Filed Sep 28, 2024
“2016 Ford Explorer. the air bag warning light was illuminated it was coming off and on and now stays on. took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired.”
Filed Jan 26, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 65 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 375 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 249 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 248 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 160 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 142 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 140 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 110 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 81 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 73 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 72 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 65 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 54 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 53 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 50 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 48 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 36 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 27 reports