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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

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2016 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Apr 062020

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles

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

I have a 2016 Ford Explorer platinum and I took the car into the Ford dealership with around 40-45,000 miles bc the airbag light had came on. Turns out I would have to pay out of pocket for the fix bc its not a recall even with it being still under warranty. As I have looked more and more into this it really needs to be one. Because its out now, all my airbags will not deploy if something was to happen I have 3 kids (nightmare to think if something did). I have seen 100's with the same problem. Its a matter of time before someone sues Ford with this many complaints on just this alone. When people ask me about getting a Ford I turn them away and show them how much I have spent on repairs and etc. And they all end up with something else. This needs to be fixed.!!

- Union, MS, USA

problem #31

Jul 092020

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 45,319 miles
Airbag warning light indicator came on. Ford dealership (sound Ford renton, wa) performed $150 diagnostic which produce code stored in rcm "B141B" for 2nd row driver side inflatable seat belt deployment control using oasis the dealer found tsb 16--0001. This service bulletin replaces the connectors for the left and right second row seating airbag control and re-routes harness. Vehicle has 45,319 miles (below the 5yr/60,000 SRS warranty) however dealer claims repair is out of pocket. Dealer also stated when the airbag light is on no airbags will deploy in event of accident.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #30

Apr 052020

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Rear airbag seatbelt feature malfunctions by triggering airbag warning light on dash board. Obd diagnostic produces no error codes. Warning light is intermittent and most common after rear passengers use seat belts.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #29

Apr 072019

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 52,000 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 bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bags wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The failure mileage was 52,000. Consumer stated the first time mechanic tightened the connectors second time the harness was replaced and the third time mechanic says harness needed to be replaced again and the consumer needs to foot the bill even though it is within warranty period.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #28

May 102020

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
Airbag light comes on - when light is on airbags do not deploy in case of an accident. Took to dealer told wiring harness under back seats need replaced, not covered under warranty. This is an issue with more than just my vehicle. There is a fix and should be a recall.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #27

Feb 222020

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles
Another 2016 Explorer with an airbag malfunction. Obdii check is not showing any faults. I haven't taken it to dealer yet, but I am assuming it's the same or similar fault to what others are seeing on here and elsewhere.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #26

Feb 252020

Explorer

  • 41,000 miles

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

Airbag light comes on and stays on for weeks at a time and then comes off. This tends to happen when it rains.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #25

Feb 172020

Explorer

  • 48,000 miles
Air bag light keeps coming on. Right now it is at the dealership, hopefully to be fixed

- West Olive, MI, USA

problem #24

Jan 172020

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
Airbag indicator light stays on. Checked with obd, no codes. Took to dealer and they stated that they would need to remove all the seats and rewire. Researched and found tsb 16-0001which supersedes tsb 15-0113. There are numerous reports of this issue (). even the service department stated that they are seeing many customers with the same issue. They are quoting $1400 to repair. In addition the tsb states it is only 2.5 hours and part number, 14A005. I believe the NHTSA should require Ford to cover the costs of this issue.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #23

Jan 212020

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The air bag light is on. Dealership found code B141B and B141C to second row seat belts and recommended replacing pigtails. $431.46 quote for parts seems excessive for something that is in a 2016 car. The airbags will not deploy unless fixed. Seems unsafe unless you have about $600 for repairs.

- Victor, NY, USA

problem #22

Oct 302019

Explorer

  • 65,235 miles

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

Airbag warning light appeared on instrument gauge @ approx 65,000 miles. The concern is for the rear seat restraint systems that have airbags built into the seatbelt shoulder straps. This design flaw by Ford Motor Co has resulted in faulty wire harness systems for the seat belt airbags. Ford is not taking action because there is no official "recall" even though this is a well known design defect. Ford is leaving the responsibility up to consumers to pay out-of-pocket for this repair @ a $660 cost!!! this is absolutely unacceptable as we are talking about arguably the most important safety feature of a modern automobile...the airbags!!! Ford clearly cannot stand behind their own products from a safety standpoint, so consumers such as myself are forced to pay the $660 charge in order to protect the passengers (often children in our scenario) in the backseat or take the deathly risk of safety airbags not deploying in an accident scenario? you've got to be kidding me. Extremely shameful and disappointing that one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world cannot stand behind it's own safety products. This needs to be issued a recall pronto...this is people's safety we are talking about here!

- Hampton, NH, USA

problem #21

Oct 212019

Explorer

  • 33,000 miles
My 2016 Ford Explorer Sport's airbag light is on. It started randomly being on about 2 months ago and now this week it's been lit up every time I start the engine. I read on other forum sites that this seems to be a big issue with many Ford Explorer and the issue results in the airbags not deploying in an accident. This vehicle is only 3 years old so it shouldn't be having such a key safety problem as this point in it's life. Airbag functionality should always be take very seriously.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #20

Oct 112019

Explorer

  • 92,000 miles
Airbag light came on around 50,000, was told harness needed to be replaced under driver's seat due to wires fraying from seat movement. Work was done under warranty. Mileage now around 92,000, airbag light again intermediately illuminated while driving, after taking it back to dealership was told it was the same exact problem and now it's an $1100 fix, not covered under warranty. I was told Ford is aware of the problem but no recall as of yet has been initiated. After looking online, seems this is a pretty common problem!

- Champlin, MN, USA

problem #19

Oct 052019

Explorer

  • 34,000 miles
The airbag warning light has illuminated again and we contacted the local Ford dealership in wasilla Alaska to report the issue but they remain unhelpful. The quickest appoint is a month away and my wife uses this vehicle for transporting my children to and from school/appointment and basic everyday needs. The airbag light often illuminates when the vehicle is stationary and first appeared when the vehicle hit 34000 miles. I contacted the Ford dealership then, but they said there was nothing to be done unless the light remained on. It appeareds periodically, often when the vehicle is stationary, but also when its being driven. I contacted the dealership and got the same unconcern response. Appointments are often months away and the dealership often dismiss the issue and show no urgency or interest in finding out the cause. The light diappears after a few shutdowns and restarts, sometimes for weeks and months but it has became a common appearence as the vehicle came closer to 38K miles and now 40K miles. Please address the issues or at leadt look into it so Ford can give it the needed attention before myself or someone lose a family member for something that could have been a simple fix. The vehicle is often stationary when the light appear. Sometime its appears when the vehicle is in motion. Base on what I have read from other complaints and from people with the same vehicle model its safe to assume the problem most likely originate from the rear seat, just behind the drivers. If its a wiring issue involving the vehicle safety equipment then this may have the potential for causing a cascade and catastrophic failure in one or more od the vehicle safety features. I will include a picture of the most recent appearence of the airbag light. Started about 18 months ago when the vehicle was about 34.5K miles and is becoming more common now.

- Palmer, AK, USA

problem #18

Aug 292019

Explorer

  • 41,000 miles
The airbag light came on. I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealer. The computer code revealed a fault in the SRS system causing a rear airbag not to function properly. I was informed that this is not covered by the SRS warranty and would have to pay $500 for the replacement of a wire.

- Rincon, GA, USA

problem #17

Jan 282019

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles
I have a 2016 Explorer which has 2nd row airbag seatbelts. When purchasing my car it was explained to me that rear airbag seatbelts were the best safety feature for children. I did not have children at the time. I now have a 2 year old whom will be exceeding the latch weight limit shortly. Upon attempting to install his car seat rear facing, it became apparent I am unable to run an airbag seat belt through my childs car seat. It is a extreme safety hazard. I requested my seat belts be changed out for regular seat belts and I was told this could not be done as it would deactivate my cars airbags system. Please help me find a solution as I cannot put him in the center seat. His car seat does not fit being the center seat of the Explorer is not a full-sized seat. I have spoken with Ford corporate office, the dealership (oc welch Ford in hardeeville, SC) and have gotten little to no assistance other than there is nothing they can do but assist me in finding a new car to purchase. That is the last thing I want to do. I am at a loss and only want what is best for my child. I cannot risk him being injured. Who can I contact to get this resolved? please advise urgently.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #16

Oct 102018

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles
Standard driving drug with no crashes. Airbag light began coming on intermittently while driving in early to mid October of 2018 (around 45,000 miles). After a full week of the light staying on vehicle was taken to dealership. The harness connector was loose. Five to seven days after repair the light began coming on intermittently again. A second dealership said the gardens connector was loose. Two to the weeks later the light came on and persisted. I was told in late may that it was the wiring harness before the front passenger seat. After some issues with the dealership, it was taken to the dealership that originally fixed it in October 2018. This time both the passenger wiring harness and airbag were replaced. Over $800 and 3.5 hour appointment for the actual fix. Pictures from initial service are attached.

- Scottsville, KY, USA

problem #15

Aug 162019

Explorer

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the air bag harness needed to be replaced. The contact called midway Ford (2777 N snelling ave, roseville, mn 55113-1796, 651-638-4800) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called three other unknown Ford dealers and was informed the same thing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Elanie, MN, USA

problem #14

Jun 232019

Explorer

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bags could deploy at any time and the seat belts may not work. In addition, the toe link suspension also failed and the seat belt warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mcclardy Ford (4400 landers rd, North little rock, ar 72117, (501) 945-1200) where the mechanic stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the contact may have to pay for the repairs. The failure mileage was 39,000.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #13

Jul 222019

Explorer

  • 48,000 miles
At approx 48,000 miles, airbag light came on. Car was not moving, was parked for 9 hours after a day of work. Nothing hit, no impact. Ford dealer diagnosis: Airbag harness/connector issue traced back to rear passenger seat behind driver. 1.5 days work and $478.93 charge, not a warranty or recall repair. Airbag circuit inoperative. Fix is per tsb16-0001. I am keeping the parts the dealer is replacing. Requires removal of rear seats/replace/splice connector. Dealer not forgiving.

- La Grange, KY, USA

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