2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light or recall
- 99owner reports
- 53,200median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 7involved a crash
Newest report May 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
99 of the 2,455 complaints on this car describe airbag.
Narrower sheets: Airbag warning light stays on (65 reports) · Takata airbag inflator recall (30 reports)
Tick what matches of 99 reports
Airbag 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Airbag complaints split into a few kinds. The most common is an airbag warning light that won't go out. Others involve the passenger seat sensor switching the passenger bag off with an adult sitting there, an airbag that didn't deploy in a crash, or one that went off without a crash at all. A large share also come from owners waiting on a recall part.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (26 reports) and the inflator (3 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
28 of the 99 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $1,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 78,000 miles, from the 64 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
“The problem remedied by TSB 21B11-s2 did not occur in my vehicle while the TSB was in effect. It has now surfaced”
Filed Jan 4, 2025 · 112,891 miles
“Car has inflatable seatbelt in the second row bucket seats. I am unable to find any car seats that are safe to use in this vehicle once you move from tether position Have visited local dealership and called Ford for assistance. None of which are able to assist with this which puts children in great harm as no car seat can be safely used”
Filed Oct 5, 2023
“Courtesy Ford in Rome Georgia refused to resolve the 2nd row airbag issue covered under CSP 21B11 during a known air bag light issue while in their service department in 12/22. Dealer has been non responsive, Ford Customer Relations has placed negative feedback against the dealership, however there currently is no resolve.”
Filed Mar 17, 2023
“The water pump goes out and blows the engine. Leave your stranded. They put this engine and makes it to the point you can't fix and cost over 5,000 to fix sounds like lots of issues why the hell has this not been recalled. Very disappointed that people are having this issue and really no recalls on this. Not ok!!!”
Filed Mar 4, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 7 of 99 reports involved a crash and 8 people were hurt. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
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