2003 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,131 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,034miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 1,131 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,034 miles. 28 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.
“I was driving in minus 20 degree celsius to take highway 15 north from just after panama bus station. In the entrance, my car start to slow down to the 5 kmph. In the back of my cars were all on their hazard light and being mad at me. So I drive back to my home taking the next exit. I wish somebody could take the videos and sent to the Ford company to let them know my situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10826109, filed 2016-02, 150,000 miles“In the early morning hours of december 11, I was driving to work when without warning both side curtain air bags deployed. There were no cars behind me and there were no oncoming traffic so I was able to pull off the road without incident. Upon inspection there was no damage anywhere to the vehicle. As of now there is no reason why they deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10667214, filed 2014-12, 155,600 miles“Travel approximately 55 miles per hour southbound on sr-99 both the left and right side head curtain airbags deployed for no reason while I was driving with my 2 year old daughter and 3 month old son, both in appropriate child safety seats. The vehicle was not hit, I did not swerve, nor step on the breaks. Nothing occurred in the vehicle to warrant or cause the airbags to deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493469, filed 2013-01, 142,056 miles“1. While stopped on the interstate waiting for traffic to move, my 2003 Ford Explorer xlt was rear-ended by another SUV traveling at presumably highway speed. As a result, my SUV was propelled forward, hitting the rear of another vehicle. 2. **drivers side airbag did not deploy.** passenger's side airbag deployed (the driver was the only passenger). …”
NHTSA complaint #10181830, filed 2007-02, 60,100 miles“Air bag light blinks when started and then remains on. I haven't had it checked out yet but I was seeing if there was a recall on this to see if it would cover the cost to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10668628, filed 2014-12, 138,000 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 2003 Ford Explorer
354 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
335 complaintsEngine cooling
69 complaintsSuspension
63 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
62 complaintsWheels
56 complaintsElectrical system
54 complaintsOther or unknown
48 complaintsBrakes
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsEngine
22 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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