Diagsheet

2016 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet

Takata airbag inflator recall

  • 30owner reports
  • 65,235median miles
  • $1,000median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jun 2, 2025 · checked Sep 19, 2026

30 of the 99 reports of airbag on the 2016 Explorer describe Takata airbag recall.

Part of Airbag warning light or recall (99 reports) · also: airbag light on

Tick what matches of 30 reports

21
28
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the inflator (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the airbags covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 19, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Explorer

EA02-010opened Jul 2, 2002
Airbags · model years 2002

Mis-assembled airbag clockspring. Closed feb 25, 2003.

NHTSA summary
IN JULY 2001, FORD ISSUED A SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE ANNOUNCING THAT SOME AIR BAGCLOCKSPRING DEVICES MAY PRODUCE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED FULL LEFT OR RIGHT.FORD WAS AWARE THAT SOME CLOCKSPRINGS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION MAY ALSO CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.STARTING WITH VEHICLES PRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 2001, FORD ADDING LENGTH TO THE CLOCKSPRING WIRE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DAMAGE FROM IMPROPER INSTALLATION.ODI'S INVESTIGATION REVEALED 32 COMLAINTS (VEHICLE BUILT PRIOR TO SEPT. 2001) OF WARNING LIGHT BUT NO CRASHES, INJURIES, LAWSUITS OR CLAIMS.A SAFETY DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.
SQ01-015opened Dec 12, 2001
Airbags · model years 2002

Inoperative air bag system. Closed jul 2, 2002.

NHTSA summary
SQ99-026opened Nov 19, 1999
Airbags · model years 1999

Airbag system's light dysfunctional. Closed may 23, 2000.

NHTSA summary
There is no summary currently available

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

11 of the 30 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $660 to $1,100.

$660$1,000$1,100
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 47,000 and 78,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

619
520
621
322
823
124
125

What owners wrote

“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

“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

“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. 1 of 30 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.

Other problems on this car