2015 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 84about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,813 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 84 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,813 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 7 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.
“Airbag light comes on & stays on from time to time, this has been happening on & off for about the last 10 months. Too my vehicle in for this issue to be checked a couple times but since the light went off tech was unable to diagnose problem. Finally yesterday I was able to get my vehicle to the dealership while the light was still on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11131476, filed 2018-09, 49,000 miles“My husband loss consciousness while driving due to unknown reasons (medical issue). He went off the highway at 65 MPH and crashed into several trees. Despite extensive damage to the front end, resulting in a total loss, the airbags never deployed. My husband later experienced post-concussion symptoms as diagnosed by the hospital. Injuries may have been prevented had the airbags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11268972, filed 2019-10, 106,000 miles“Our instrument panel airbag light turned on intermittently since 2026. Ford was unable to diagnose an issue until march 27, 2021. The warning light has remained illuminated while in the repair shop. They found a fault code and it is attributed to TSB 16-0001. We are now responsible for an almost $1,000 repair bill ($150 diagnosis charge and $800+ repair). The repair is due to faulty wiring connections. Our airbags are now supposedly inoperable.”
NHTSA complaint #11406767, filed 2021-04, 65,237 miles“My airbag light came on and when I took it to Ford dealership I was told it is in the wiring and estimated cost is $1000 to fix meanwhile until I can afford to fix it I have no airbags in my Explorer not safe for going into winter and having grandchildren in my SUV.”
NHTSA complaint #11277765, filed 2019-11, 67,000 miles“My airbag light use to come on and stay on for a few weeks. Not the airbag light stays on 24/7. The dealership won't look at it for free since SUV has 68,000 miles on it. It has been an issue for over two years. My 2015 isn't part of the recall but needs to be.”
NHTSA complaint #11185462, filed 2019-03, 58,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10206858Jan 21, 2022Customer Satisfaction Program 21B11 Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt: In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate…
- 10204987Feb 5, 201649 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - March 2016 Air bag warning light illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B141B and/or B141C
- 10204986Feb 5, 201649 CFR Part 579.5 Monthly Communications - January 2016
- 10058235Jul 23, 2015Ford explorer 2014-2016: bulletin information involving vehicles equipped with second row inflatable seat belts may exhibit an airbag warning light illuminated with dtc b141b and…
Air 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 2015 Ford Explorer
411 complaintsOther or unknown
407 complaintsSteering
348 complaintsEngine
227 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
147 complaintsFuel system
94 complaintsElectrical system
93 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsSuspension
83 complaintsEngine cooling
66 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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