2017 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,704 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,704 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 9 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.
“Car pulled in my lane my car auto breaked, I also put on break then icon came on about airbag issue. Took to Ford run test. The pig tail that goes to airbags, need to sauter 21 pins that goes to connection of pigtail to airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11384294, filed 2020-12, 56,573 miles“Vehicle has an NHTSA recall notice#:19v435 and a Ford issued recall#:19s17 which indicates as follows: recall description: rear suspension toe link replacement. Risk to safety: a fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash! I have contacted 3 different deals in my area (ecino, ca, 91316) all said that the replacement parts are currently unavailable. In addition, on thursday, june 27th, 2019 I have contacted Ford motor company to see if the issue can be resolved but I got the same answer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11223098, filed 2019-06, 28,526 miles“Our 2017 Ford Explorer was involved in a bad accident. We were struck on the driver side while making a left turn. The strike occurred at the left front wheel back to the drivers door. Traveling rate of speed of the striking vehicle was approx. 50mph. The insurance adjuster advised the car is a total loss. My concern is while we walked away with minimal injury, not one airbag in the car went off. The adjuster advised that at the very least the side impact bags should have gone off. Wanting to get another Explorer but am concerned that the safety system does not function as it is designed to.”
NHTSA complaint #11046923, filed 2017-11, 13,100 miles“The second row seatbelt airbags continue to set off the airbag sensor on the control panel and Ford technicians can find nothing to correct. Sensor set off while driving and passenger belted into driver side second row seat belt that contains a seatbelt airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #11194491, filed 2019-04, 47,000 miles“Vehicle was traveling approximately 40-50mph on the highway, traffic stopped abruptly, collision warning system with brake support did not activate, driver attempted to make a hard stop, brakes engaged at initial push of the pedal then became unresponsive regardless of force applied to the pedal, vehicle rear-end another vehicle, air-bags did not deploy, sos post-crash alert system did not activate, 911 assist did not activate.”
NHTSA complaint #11110171, filed 2018-07, 17,000 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 2017 Ford Explorer
659 complaintsOther or unknown
374 complaintsEngine
241 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
125 complaintsElectrical system
94 complaintsEngine cooling
77 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
77 complaintsSteering
76 complaintsWheels
60 complaintsSuspension
58 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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