119 complaints reported

2002 Ford Explorer Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
119
Crashes
53
Fires
3
Injuries
42

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving 45 MPH, the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed without an impact or a crash, causing the contact’s fiancé to swerve and drive down into a ditch. No warning lights were illuminated. The front bumper, windshield, and passenger’s side taillight were cracked. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,583.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2024
Jun 2021

The light form air bad juts got on when I was driving

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2021
Apr 2021

I WAS ON MOTION WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON BUT I WENT TO CHECK AND THEY SAY I HAVE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2021
Sep 2019 Crash Injury

ON JANUARY 21, 2019 I WAS HIT HEAD-ON BY A DRIVER WHO FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. TOTALLED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER! MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT! I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2019
Aug 2019 Crash Injury

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. TOTALED MY VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Aug 2019
Jun 2019 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A FATAL CRASH WHICH INVOLVED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VICTIM'S VEHICLE WAS FOUND THREE HOURS AFTER THE CRASH AND THE VEHICLE HAD FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE VICTIM WAS FOUND, WEARING THE SEATBELT BUT NO AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (CASE NUMBER: 19-11405). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CITY OBSERVED A CURFEW WHEREBY THE CORONER'S REPORT STATED THAT 'DEATH WAS CAUSED BY A MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE INJURY TO THE HEAD". THE STREET LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF FROM 12 MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRASH MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 3AM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO THE APD (ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT) IMPOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2019
Jan 2019 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, A VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER AND UPPER BACK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND HAD TO PRY THE DRIVER'S DOOR OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2019
Oct 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" I ONLY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER A RECALL WAS ISSUED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2017
Jul 2017 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN, SPUN AROUND, AND LANDED IN A RAVINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARNERS TOWING IN MIAMI, OK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2017
Oct 2016 Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2016
Jul 2016 Crash

ON MAY 31ST 2016,I WAS INVOLVE IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT AND AT WHICH TIME MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY..AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION IT WAS DETERMINE THAT MY CLOCK SPRING WAS BAD..MY INSURANCE ESTIMATOR/OR ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS NOT A RESULT FROM THE ACCIDENT..THEN I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE NHTSA TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS INCIDENT ....MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2016
Jul 2016

BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE CARE TOWED. THE EXPLOSION WAS QUITE TRAUMATIC AND IT TOOK ME SEVERAL SECONDS TO REALIZE JUST WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2016
Jun 2016

DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AFTER THE DRIVER HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND STUCK A CHILD WHICH WAS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2016
May 2016

ON MAY 6, 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 BETWEEN 55-60 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION INSIDE MY CAR. THE RIGHT/LEFT SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND CALL AAA. I WAS TOWED TO THE LANDMARK FORD SERVICE CENTER.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2016
Jul 2015

AROUND 1015AM ON SATURDAY JULY 25, 2015, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ATTACHING MY BOAT TRAILER TO THE HITCH. AFTER OPENING MY DRIVERS DOOR SEVERAL TIMES, CHECKING ON THE HITCH POSITION, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK, GOT OUT, SHUT THE DOOR, AND THEN HEARD A LOUD SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE LEFT REAR SEAT AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AND DID NOT SUFFER ANY SIDE IMPACT WHATSOEVER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION THAT IT COULD CREATE IF A DRIVER IS DRIVING AND IT INFLATES FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR GO OFF THE ROAD AND POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER CASES FILES ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM OF THIS SAME ISSUE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2015
Jul 2015

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING FOR NO REASON AND WANT GO OFF! HELP PLEASE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2015
Jul 2015 Crash

REAR ENDED SEMI THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID . NO PASSENGER IN CAR. BASICALLY DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD. FORD SHOULD PAY! IS THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS? FIRST ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE. OWNED SINCE 2003! *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2015
Jun 2015 Crash Fire Injury

WHILE DRIVING ON PAVED HIGHWAY(CLEAR, DRY DAY) A HISSING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER PAVED HIGHWAY, THE HISSING NOISE INCREASED, THEN WAS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, PRIOR TO ANY IMPACT. THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG CREATED A COMPROMISED OR VISIONARY IMPAIRMENT FROM MY WINDSHIELD'S FIELD OF VIEW, CAUSING ME TO HAVE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER IMPACT OF FIRST VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED., THEN THERE WAS A SECONDARY IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE AIRBAG BRAKING MY NOSE, TWO PIECES OF SHRAPNEL WERE EJECTED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG, ONE HITTING ME IN THE LEFT SIDE MID CHEST/ABDOMEN, THE OTHER TO THE DISTAL PORTION OF MY LEFT FOREARM. THE PROJECTED SHRAPNEL TORE THROUGH A DOWN COAT, SWEATER AND TWO SHIRTS CAUSING INJURY AND 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO MY CHEST/ABDOMEN AND FOREARM. THE INJURIES OF THE OTHER VEHICLES INHABITANTS ARE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2015
Mar 2015

THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2002. I WANT TO KNOW IF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS DATABASE BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING THAT IS APPLICABLE. WE (WIFE AND MYSELF) HAVE ONLY THIS VEHICLE AND W WE WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2015
Feb 2015 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN MINOR INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND EYES INJURIES. NEITHER SET OF INJURIES REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2014
Mar 2014 Crash Injury

WHILE DRIVING IN EVE. I SWITCH LANES AND CAME ONTO AN ICY PART OF ROAD DO TO BROKEN LEAKING HYDRANT HIT CHUCK HOLE IN THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AND HIT POLE AND HYDRANT AND THE COMPLETE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. I HURT MY CHEST BACK AND KNEE'S AND HAVE HEADACHES. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2014
Sep 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2013
Aug 2013 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND THEN CRASH INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH AND MINOR BRUISING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2013
Jan 2013 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, ANKLE AND RIBS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL LACERATIONS AND BRUISES. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,089.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2012
Aug 2012

FORD HAS INFORMED DEALERS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS ON 2002 FORD EXPLORERS. IF YOU MOVE THE SEAT TOO MUCH IT DISCONNECTS WITH THE AIR BAG. ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ISSUE RECALL. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD REQUIRE ACTION. IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE FIX OF THE PRETENSIONER LOCATED UNDER THE SEATS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2011

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2002 Ford Explorer has 119 Air Bags complaints on file. 53 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.