1994 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1994 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was involved in an accident. I rear ended the car in front of me doing 25+ MPH. My seat belts did not lock up and my air bags did not deploy. My passenger and myself were both hurt in the accident. I would like to know if there are known problems with this in other 1994 Ford explorers.”
NHTSA complaint #10058136, filed 2004-02, 120,000 miles“The contact stated the airbags did not deploy after the vehicle collided into a stone wall while traveling 55 MPH. The airbag warning light was not illuminated. The driver sustained minor injuries, and a police report was taken. The vehicle was not taken to a service dealer to address the issue and was deemed totaled by the insurance company.”
NHTSA complaint #10173584, filed 2006-11, 104,000 miles“While driving at 60 MPH with firestone atx tires on this vehicle. On july 31,1998 there was a pop sound , and suddenly vehicle was on it's roof, left rear tire had peeled like a banana, causing this. Ford was contacted. The front end of the vehicle was hit when the tire tread separated but the air bag failed to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #867092, filed 2000-08“Vehicle was involved in a left side frontal collision at approx 50 MPH. Upon impact, both air bags didnot deploy. Dealer / manufacturer were notified, and unwilling to assist in this matter. Please feel free to provide us with any further details on this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #888599, filed 2001-05“While driving 35mph the driver started coughing & lost visibility. Driver slammed on brakes & rearended another vehicle. Upon impact, the driver's air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #823014, filed 1998-05Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 34 | 2% |
| 2016 | 99 | 4% |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 | 47 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 27 | 3% |
| 2011 | 44 | 4% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 39 | 3% |
| 2003 | 50 | 4% |
| 2002 | 162 | 5% |
| 2001 | 28 | 7% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 97 | 7% |
| 1998 | 40 | 2% |
| 1997 | 27 | 2% |
| 1996 | 41 | 3% |
| 1995 | 27 | 3% |
| 1994 | 11 | 1% |
| 1993 | 5 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Explorer
331 complaintsBrakes
261 complaintsBody and structure
158 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsElectrical system
75 complaintsEngine cooling
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsEquipment
32 complaintsSteering
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology