2012 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 3%of 830 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 830 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Airbag light has been on for a week now. Took it in to the Ford dealership to find out the wiring is malfunctioning. According to the dealership it is a common issue with 2012 models. I was told that since the airbag light is on, if I got into an accident the air bags will not deploy. This is a major safety concern. Now I am having to pay upward of $400 to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11297128, filed 2020-01, 103,910 miles“The airbag light keeps coming on, it has been addressed before by the dealer but continues to happen. Now that my car is out of warranty I would be responsible for this issue that is very common with this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11142820, filed 2018-10, 45,000 miles“On 4/17/2019 my air bag light came on its not blinking just solid its been almost a week and light is still on. I have researched this issue and it appears to be a common issue with my Ford year and model. From what I researched none of the Ford repairs have permanently repaired this issue. From I have read in these complaints is the airbag will not deploy when this light is on wondering why there is not a recall for this very dangerous condition. I am not taken my car to a Ford dealer to pay hundreds of dollars for a temporary fix this needs to be addressed asap.”
NHTSA complaint #11202683, filed 2019-04, 43,500 miles“Airbag lights have come on and off on my car for the past few years. Ford fixed issue one time under warranty. Faulty wire connection is what I was told and everything else was fine, according to Ford dealership. My airbag lights are on once again and it appears this is a big problem with the Ford explorers. It seems that 2011-2018 are affected by some sort of airbag malfunction. Ford is not helping anyone and people are paying Ford hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to fix the problem only for the problem to still exist. It is wide spread and not just an issue in certain climates. …”
NHTSA complaint #11229287, filed 2019-07, 98,000 miles“On 3 separate occasions over the last 3 years the airbag warning indicator light on the dash has come on, for no apparent reason. On each occasion I have taken the vehicle to my local Ford service center where they finally determined that the solution was to apply some dielectric grease to the electric connectors under the drivers seat. This fix was covered under my extended warranty on the first 2 occasions on the 3rd they agreed to apply the grease at no cost to me. My service center has told me that when this problem occurs the airbag will not deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #11050953, filed 2017-11, 64,278 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 2012 Ford Explorer
360 complaintsBody and structure
144 complaintsOther or unknown
108 complaintsEngine
79 complaintsElectrical system
64 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsElectronic stability control
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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