1999 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,348 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 1,348 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 31 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving along a main street I was struck by another vehicle in the front right portion of the vehicle I was driving. My airbag did not deploy upon impact therefore, my face hit the steering wheel and as a result my face hit the steering wheel which cause a broken jaw and cracked teeth vehicle was moving forward approximately 35 miles per hour. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance and a police report was made.”
NHTSA complaint #10972368, filed 2017-04, 200,000 miles“I was on my way to work when I hit a slippery spot on the road and my vehicle went out of control with the rear end sliding out from under me, it hit a bank and rolled over 3 or 4 times. The airbag on the drivers side and passenger side did not deploy when it should have.”
NHTSA complaint #10494575, filed 2013-01, 182,000 miles“Our air bag light went totally out and then theirs a beeping sound and when we went to get car inspected, it failed inspection as the airbag light didnt come on when the vehicle is started.”
NHTSA complaint #10780748, filed 2015-10, 148 miles“I hit a pole in a 1999 Ford Explorer. The airbags did not deploy. The pole was dead in the center, I hit the steering wheel and the passenger hit the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #10359383, filed 2010-10, 130,000 miles“I was traveling behind a concrete truck when he slammed on brakes. I hit the truck and the front end of my Explorer was significantly damaged. According to the police officer and several body shop mechanics, the airbag should have deployed. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and the damage appears to be irreparable. The airbag failed to deploy and therefore I was thrown into the steering wheel. The impact was severe because the concrete truck was so large that it did not give into the impact at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10095630, filed 2004-10, 60,000 milesAir 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 1999 Ford Explorer
370 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
217 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
115 complaintsEngine cooling
100 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsSeats
68 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaintsSteering
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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