Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,807 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ford Explorer seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #72

Jan 012020

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford issued a customer satisfaction program 21B11 regarding the 2nd row seat belt worn or damaged electrical connection which results in the air bag light illuminating. My vehicle is doing this after arguing with the dealership because they did not want to fix it. Only to get my vehicle scheduled on 01/24/23, and this expired on 1/21/23 so Ford will not pay to fix the problem

- Roanoke , VA, USA

problem #71

Jan 012023

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag light came on. Took the vehicle to local Ford Dealer, we we told it was a failure of the second row seatbelt inflator connectors. Initially told this would not affect the front airbags, so repair was unnecessary. We were going to forgo repair. When my son noticed the light was not "off", he questioned it. Learned that repair was necessary because all air bags on a "loop". After spending over $1000 for repair, we learned there is a TSB alert specifically for the 2016 Explorer, apparently the way Ford configures the wires causes them to fail.

- East Lyme, CT, USA

problem #70

Oct 032022

Explorer

  • 77,711 miles
My 2016 Ford Explorer air bag warning light come on with under 85,000 miles. I took it to the dealership and it was diagnosed with the code B141B/B141C as an issue with the wiring harness regarding the second row inflatable seat belt.

- Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL, USA

problem #69

Oct 242022

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My airbag light on the dash came on after starting the vehicle and will not go off. I took it to a Ford dealership and was told it was the wiring that goes to the 2nd row airbags and I would need to replace the wiring harness. The cost was estimated $1260. I purchased an extended warranty for the vehicle that covered electrical but was told it would not be covered because it went to the airbag and airbags are not covered. I have looked into this airbag problem and it seems this has been an issue for the vehicle for years. If the airbags do not work that is a safety issue and Ford is not doing anything about it. With as many complaints this has and for the safety concern something needs to be done. I can not afford $1200 to fix something that Ford has not bothered to fix for its customers.

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #68

Sep 142022

Explorer

  • 138,400 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 71 MPH, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 138,400.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #67

Jul 162022

Explorer

  • miles
Air bag dashboard light turned in January 2022 until now part is back order. Secondly over heating problems at 60 mph on July 16, 2022 I was told it was the cooling fans and was fixed and didn-??t fixed the problem now I was told is the active grilled shutters malfunctioning

- Chowchilla , CA, USA

problem #66

Jul 022022

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved a fault code for the second-row seat air bag sensor. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #65

May 172022

Explorer

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

problem #64

Jun 072022

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag light on dash came on right after 100k mile warranty. I had Ford repair it and paid out of pocket, because I have a family and I would like to be safe. The issue has come back less than 4 months later and based on multiple online complaints, it seems to be never ending. How is Ford getting away with this" Is it going to take losing loved ones or a big media/lawsuit scandal? This is unacceptable, how is our government entities protecting consumers in these cases"

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #63

Feb 022022

Explorer 4-cyl

  • miles
Front passenger seat safety and airbag system. Problem was diagnosed several times at the service Dept of my Ford Dealer. The final diagnosis indicated that a part in the seat called a bladder is not working properly and needs to be replaced for the PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG TO WORK. This issue deserves further review for several reasons. There is a dash light that indicates when the front passenger airbag is ON vs OFF. I rarely have a passenger except when we go on trips my wife occupies the seat. She happened to notice that the OFF light was lit. She weights 125 lbs. When I sit in the seat (150lbs) the ON light comes on. Obviously this is a safety issue that must be repaired. The repair estimate is $2527.20. Unfortunately the problem was not discovered during my warranty period. I reported the problem to FORD Motor Co. I found numerous posts on the internet from people complaining about this issue. I think this problem should come under the guides of a safety recall. In the event it is useful, following is my most recent FORD Motor Co. Customer Service case No. [XXX] My contact info: [XXX] emaddr: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer recently had his Ford Explorer reported, had the safety problem repaired. The dealer gave the consumer failed component and explained what was found in the repair.

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

problem #62

Dec 292021

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The airbag light came on. We took it to a dealer to diagnose. They found that the fault was in the 2nd row seat inflator. The following is from the dealer repair invoice: "Checked DTC's: B141C is present for 2nd row inflator fault. Followed PPT. found needs C3133 & C3134 replaced both due to pin fittment. Will require to replace both. Removed and replaced connector and eight air bag wires. Spliced in new harnesses. Re-route harness on seat bottom." Everything seemed fine after that but you can't really 'test' whether the airbags will go off or not. Is this related to all of the other airbag problems? The car is not that old (2016) with only 67931 miles at the time so seems strange that this type of issue should occur. I felt that it was worth reporting.

- Latrobe, PA, USA

problem #61

Jan 052022

Explorer

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon the start of her vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they linked her failure to a customer satisfaction program; however, her vehicle was not included. The program stated that due to a faulty wiring connection in the rear second-row seat, the air bag warning light may illuminate. The contact was then referred to the manufacturer but received no assistance; the manufacturer then referred her to NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #60

Jan 042021

Explorer

  • miles
Air bag warning light fluctuates on/off at times. Connection pins under rear passenger seat appears to be the cause. No contact of pins

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #59

Jun 012021

Explorer

  • miles
The airbag light comes on due to the connectors in the wiring harness used for the airbag and seatbelt restraint system. When the light is on the airbags will not deploy, making this a safety related issue. Ford has a technical service bulletin Ford TSB 16-0001 showing the issue. This is not covered for repair and the cost is $900 to $1100 per side (there are two sides) to replace the wire harness and connectors. https://www.tsbsearch.com/Ford/16-0001

- Plympton, MA, USA

problem #58

Dec 262021

Explorer

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that starting the vehicle, he noticed the airbag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle inspected however, the dealer would not be able to inspect the vehicle for several weeks due to a staffing shortage. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of an error message with the driver-??s side rear airbags. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #57

Sep 012021

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that previously the air bag warning light was illuminated however, the warning light disappeared independently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the diagnostic trouble code: B141B was retrieved. The contact was informed that the connector for the second-row seats needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Medina, TN, USA

problem #56

Jun 032021

Explorer

  • miles
Air bag light came on and I took it to Vancouver Auto Group. Finding from diagnose electrical system include: RCM: B141B:13, checked oasis, TSB 16-0001 applies, checked behind second row seat and inspected connectors C3133 and C3133 and C3134, connectors have not yet been rerouted and replaced, recommended wire in new pigtails and reroute wiring harness in both seats and retest. Estimated cost is $1500. I researched and found over 50 other complaints of Ford Explorer owners with the same complaint. This should be recalled as it is not the vehicle owners fault that the connectors have failed and car needs rewired. This is not covered by extended warranty. This is a safety concern and is not being addressed by Ford.

- Longview, WA, USA

problem #55

Aug 182021

Explorer

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the 2nd row seating air bag warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 39,000.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #54

May 142021

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle has a known airbag malfunction that is covered by a manufacturer published service bulletin. Ford and their Dealerships refuse to perform published safety service bulletin without charging for parts and labor. Ford and dealerships response to issue is that without the at owner cost repair of the faulty safety restraint, the entire safety system may not function. Bulletin is TSB 16-0001 Owners have no operable safety system unless paying to repair a known safety issue.

- Mechanicsville , VA, USA

problem #53

Jul 212021

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle displays airbag warning light. Dealership diagnostic test determined there is a faulty connection to the 2nd-row inflatable seatbelt sensor. Ford issued a service bulletin to replace the wire harness pigtail connection. When the airbag light is illuminated due to this faulty connection, all of the airbags in the vehicle are deactivated. Directly from site: Https://Ford.oemdtc.com/1203/air-bag-warning-light-illuminated-with-dtc-B141B-B141C-2014-2016-Ford-Explorer tsb 16-0001 airbag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) B141B and/or B141C. This is not normal wear and tear but a safety item design by Ford that has failed in the vehicle. Ford dealership claims that this is not warranty failure. Cost to repair $1085 plus $230 diagnostic test charge.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?