1996 Ford F-150 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 7%of 324 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Ford F-150, 7% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 16 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.
“About 10 years ago, kelly Ford in emmaus, pa removed my drivers airbag and told me it would be replaced. It was never replaced. Kelly sold the dealership and I never heard another thing about it.”
NHTSA complaint #11254809, filed 2019-09, 92,000 miles“Dt: vehicle was in a frontal crash ,and air bags did not deploy. Was cut off and hit the other car. Was going about 40-45 MPH when impact occurred. No warning that the air bags would not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10120552, filed 2005-05, 158,363 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Ford f150. The contact was sitting in the drivers seat with the vehicle parked when the air bag exploded without warning. The contact sustained injuries to the ear and chest. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected and found no tangible reason for the air bag explosion but they advised that they were unable to replace it. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there was no evidence of the explosion and they were unable to provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10381526, filed 2011-02, 150,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The air bags deployed violently, fracturing the driver's neck and causing particles from the bag to become lodged in his eye. As a result, the contact was permanently blind. The air bag also shattered the driver's shoulder and caused various other injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer sent an inspector to diagnosis the failure but no report was provided to the contact. The failure and current mileage was 100,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493754, filed 2013-01, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Ford f150. The contact stated was driving approximately 35 MPH and lost control of the steering, crashing into a tree. The air bags did deploy. However, the consumer suffered severe injuries. The contact sustained a fractured cervical spine, injuries to the shoulders, a concussion and the loss of her right eye. The vehicle was destroyed during the crash. The contact indicated that an investigator with the department of transportation inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the air bag had violently deployed during the crash and caused injuries to the contact. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577394, filed 2014-04, 110,000 milesAir 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 1996 Ford F-150
56 complaintsFuel system
53 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsTires
21 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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