1996 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 139,928miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 139,928 miles. 35 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving 70 MPH rear right tire tread separated, causing the vehicle to hit a pole and roll once. Vehicle landed upside down on an embankment. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10061258, filed 2004-03, 165,000 miles“On 8 aug 09, my right rear tire blew out while going north on i95 at exit 132 near rocky mount, nc. My SUV flipped over a few times and my daughter and I ended up upside down looking at the traffic. I noticed that my air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10283021, filed 2009-09“I was in an automobile accident on 4/16/02 and my air bag did not inflate. I was traveling at approximately 20-25 MPH when a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and crossed my path. Why didn't the air bag inflate? I have severe brusing and contusions on my chest as a result of being thrusted foreward hitting the steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #761196, filed 2002-04“I bought this SUV used and I thought I was getting a great vehicle, boy was I wrong. It has been one thing after another with this SUV. Please check all of my complaints this is an interior problem, these things cannot be caused by evey day use. …”
NHTSA complaint #736209, filed 2000-11“Bought Ford Explorer in 1996, new. Filed a complaint with bbb regarding problems. Nothing was achieved. In november of 2002 was in an accident where the vehicle rolled over, my seat belt did not lock, nor did the air bags deploy, which resulted in severe injuries to myself. Broken neck (c-2, tbi tramic brain injury and broken bones. I beleive the failure of the seat belt, roof stability and airbags malfunction caused my injuries. The driver and other occupant received no serious injuries. Nothing was done to correct the failure as you can see in the numerous law suits againist Ford motor co.”
NHTSA complaint #10093592, filed 2004-10Air 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 1996 Ford Explorer
570 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
120 complaintsSuspension
97 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsSeat belts
78 complaintsBody and structure
63 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
47 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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