2016 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 99about this part
- Share
- 4%of 2,465 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 99 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 2,465 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The airbag controller light is on on the dash. I had a diagnosed and my dealership and they come to say that the wiring harness control in the rear airbags is damaged and needs to be replaced. The dealership I said this is a significant issue that has been noticing in 2016 Ford explore models more and more. I am curious if this is a safety recall that needs to be taken care of by Ford.”
NHTSA complaint #11185516, filed 2019-03, 38,000 miles“My driver side airbag light is on my dash I have plugged in and unplugged all of the seatbelts reset the airbag light and it stays off for a while. This is definitely a safety issue I understand it is either a sensor or they are having problems with the wiring harness this should be addressed in a recall. The front passenger side seat warmer/cooler does not work, not sure if that issue is part of the airbag light problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11390470, filed 2021-01, 80,000 miles“When backing out of my driveway and turning slowly there is a poping noise and my steering wheel locked up multiple times. Before this I spent 1000 bucks to get the wiring harness for air bags replaced. None of them work Ford would not cover it because there is not a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11375468, filed 2020-11, 88,000 miles“The airbag light came on. I took the vehicle to my local Ford dealer. The computer code revealed a fault in the srs system causing a rear airbag not to function properly. I was informed that this is not covered by the srs warranty and would have to pay $500 for the replacement of a wire.”
NHTSA complaint #11257517, filed 2019-09, 41,000 miles“My 2016 Ford Explorer air bag warning light come on with under 85,000 miles. I took it to the dealership and it was diagnosed with the code B141B/B141C as an issue with the wiring harness regarding the second row inflatable seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #11494716, filed 2022-11, 77,711 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 2016 Ford Explorer
592 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
435 complaintsEngine
382 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
215 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsEngine cooling
114 complaintsFuel system
112 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsSuspension
73 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
68 complaintsWheels
50 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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