2002 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 162about this part
- Share
- 5%of 3,295 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,650miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 162 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 3,295 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,650 miles. 61 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I financed this vehicle thru 123 auto in homosassa fl citrus county and it has a airbag that is no good and no horn and the transmission was bad the day I bought it and they will not fix so I am currently paying to get it fixed I was told to make a complaint with this office to see if you can help me get something done because it is not right”
NHTSA complaint #10780744, filed 2015-10, 173,000 miles“On january 21, 2019 I was hit head-on by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. Totalled my 2002 Ford Explorer! My airbags did not deploy during the accident! I was going approximately 35 MPH and the other driver was driving approximately 40 MPH on a city street.”
NHTSA complaint #11195257, filed 2019-04, 280,000 miles“There was no malfunction. I have a Ford Explorer 2002. I want to know if the front drivers side and front passenger side airbags will work properly. I have searched this database but cannot find anything that is applicable. We (wife and myself) have only this vehicle and w we want to know if it is safe to drive. Please help.”
NHTSA complaint #10680965, filed 2015-02, 248,368 miles“On may 6, 2016 I was driving on interstate 5 between 55-60 MPH in the middle lane of heavy traffic when suddenly there was an explosion inside my car. The right/left side airbags deployed without any warning. I was able to get to the shoulder and call aaa. I was towed to the landmark Ford service center.”
NHTSA complaint #10871375, filed 2016-05, 168,000 miles“Both side air bags deployed driving on interstate at 55 MPH with no apparent cause. The car was not involved in an accident and there was no other damage to the vehicle.the front air bags did not deploy. I was able to get to the shoulder of the freeway and called roadside assistance to have the care towed. The explosion was quite traumatic and it took me several seconds to realize just what had happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10863754, filed 2016-05, 165,000 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 2002 Ford Explorer
1,502 complaintsBody and structure
486 complaintsSuspension
422 complaintsEngine cooling
163 complaintsSteering
155 complaintsVehicle speed control
152 complaintsElectrical system
148 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
138 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsWheels
78 complaintsFuel system
72 complaintsEquipment
60 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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