2006 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 1%of 630 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 630 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,500 miles. 1 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.
“My check engine light came on. I stopped to have the parts store get the codes it was throwing out. Two of the codes have to do with the air bag having a malfunction in the system. Need to know if this is a manufacturing issue. I have kids that ride in the vehicle so trying to take precautions. The codes are b1884 and b2290.”
NHTSA complaint #11154863, filed 2018-11, 175,757 miles“I was in the process of parking my 2006 Ford Explorer xlt, pulling very slowly into my parking spot, when the engine started roaring, it lunged, hit a parking curb and then thrust into a concrete pillar in a parking garage. The airbag deployed and engine died. My vehicle was totaled! I received burns from the air bag chemicals on both of my hands. I'm still shaken up about it. Neck is sore and lower back hurts.”
NHTSA complaint #10596027, filed 2014-06, 106,000 miles“At start up in cold weather the air bag warning light glowed on dash and stayed on until next start up when engine was warm it happened a lot but is fine in warm weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10605549, filed 2014-06, 97,570 miles“The air bag malfunction light and wrench light both lite up on the dash. The car appeared to be running strange, shifting hard. After turning off the vehicle, it would not restart for approx 20 minutes. It would run fine for a day or so then the lights would come on again. Took the car to the Ford dealership, they drove it for approx 23 miles and the lights wouldn't come on. The battery tested low so they replaced the battery. When test driving after the battery replacement the wrench light and airbag light finally came on. They turned off the vehicle and it wouldn't start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442461, filed 2012-01, 47,422 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated, which indicated that it was deactivated even when a passenger was in the front seat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 107,522.”
NHTSA complaint #10908718, filed 2016-09, 107,522 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 2006 Ford Explorer
296 complaintsEngine cooling
164 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsBrakes
41 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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