1994 Ford F-150 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 94about this part
- Share
- 14%of 676 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 94 complaints about the air bags of the 1994 Ford F-150, 14% of the 676 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,000 miles. 44 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had my 1994 Ford F-150 running and got out of the truck to make sure a door was locked and started to get back in the truck when the air bag went off for no reason.I was injured and went to er and ended up with part of my left ear torn off and abrasions and burns on face and chest. Alot of pain”
NHTSA complaint #10282977, filed 2009-09, 128,000 miles“1994 Ford f150 with 65,600 miles. I am certain that the clock spring is bad which does control the airbag feature. This is a safety issue and should be recalled for replacement or reimbursement if replaced by owner already. I am aware that recalls have been issued for this same problem on other make vehicles. I am also aware of people who have went and had this part replaced on their own.”
NHTSA complaint #10066081, filed 2004-04, 65,600 miles“Got into our 1994 F-150, the air bag light came on our way to town we found out the horn wouldn't work either. When we got home looked it up and found 818 other complaints on the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10360028, filed 2010-10, 125,000 miles“Air bag flashing a code and the horn no longer works. Local dealer reported the clock spring has failed and is not covered by warranty or current recall, repair costs would be around $150. Dealer reports that the air bag may or may not work in an accident. I did not have the repairs done. Recent research at your site noted other '94 fords having the same problem. Wanted to add to those reports because, like me, there are probably thousands of other owners that are driving around with a flashing air bag warning light or paid for the repair that should have been a recall because of some defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10419150, filed 2011-08, 2,000 miles“Apparently there is a problem with the clockspring in the steering column of the 1994 Ford F-150. When this breaks, as it apparently often does, there is an open circuit between the air bag & the sensors rendering the airbag inoperable. I have not been in contact with the manufacturer yet, only the dealer. I just wanted others to know of this potential hazard. I found a forum on a google search on my problem (1994 Ford F-150 flashing a code 32). With parts & labor this is going to be approximately $250.00 to repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10046788, filed 2003-11, 160,000 milesRelated recalls
- 93V184000Nov 10, 1993These vehicles were built with nonfunctional air bag diagnostic modules intended for certain vehicles over 8,500 bls. Gvwr.Covers: Ford F-150 1994, F-250 1994
- 93V155000Sep 24, 1993The design of the air bag diagnostic monitor causes the driver's side air bag to deploy when the passenger door is slammed while the ignition key is turned to…Covers: Ford F-150 1994, F-250 1994
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 0% |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 38 | 2% |
| 2017 | 23 | 2% |
| 2016 | 36 | 2% |
| 2015 | 35 | 2% |
| 2014 | 31 | 2% |
| 2013 | 39 | 1% |
| 2012 | 37 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 27 | 6% |
| 2006 | 48 | 8% |
| 2005 | 101 | 9% |
| 2004 | 85 | 4% |
| 2003 | 29 | 7% |
| 2002 | 35 | 4% |
| 2001 | 66 | 5% |
| 2000 | 69 | 6% |
| 1999 | 69 | 7% |
| 1998 | 42 | 3% |
| 1997 | 99 | 4% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 35 | 6% |
| 1994 | 94 | 14% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 4 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford F-150
148 complaintsFuel system
113 complaintsElectrical system
88 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
56 complaintsEngine cooling
52 complaintsSuspension
41 complaintsTires
40 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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