2021 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“On 11/25/2021, I started the vehicle and drove about 2 miles when I noticed that the airbag light was illuminated on the dash. Knowing that this is a safety concern, I pulled into a parking lot and shut off the vehicle. I let the vehicle sit for about 30 seconds and restarted the car. When restarted, the light did not come back on. Took the vehicle in to have a recall performed and told the service advisor that the light had come on. They confirmed that there was a stored code but not something that made sense . The dealership has had the vehicle for 9 days with no resolution. …”
NHTSA complaint #11443642, filed 2021-12“Dashboard separation concerned with airbag. Every day driving you run the risk of more damage. Have spoken to Koons Ford who states cannot help due to warranty. No one has looked at it except for pictures. This should not be the owners responsibility since I am not alone with issues of this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11744570, filed 2026-06“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the adaptive cruise control and the collision avoidance systems would malfunction. The vehicle would suddenly deactivate the cruise control and the collision avoidance would detect a non-existing object and stop the vehicle from also turning to avoid the crash. The contact stated that while idled at a stop light when the vehicle suddenly accelerated rear-ending the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy however the acceleration did not reach high enough speeds for such a response. A police report was not filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11469294, filed 2022-06, 10,000 miles“The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he was driving approximately at 55 MPH when a deer jumped out in front of his vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the deer and the air bags did deploy, however when it did it was very aggressive. The contact stated that he and his wife were both sustained multiple injuries caused by the airbags. The contact stated the passenger suffered injuries to both her eyes causing blindness and isn't certain if it would be permeant. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his wrist, neck, and leg. …”
NHTSA complaint #11444445, filed 2021-12, 3,000 milesRelated recalls
- 21V652000Aug 23, 2021Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the…Covers: Ford Explorer 2021, Lincoln Aviator 2021
Related service bulletins
- 10211911May 13, 2022Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator and 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles may exhibit an illuminated airbag warning indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1404:13 and/or B1407:13…
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 2021 Ford Explorer
127 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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