Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 40 -45 mph, he collided with a Volkswagen Jetta that cut him off. All the airbags in the vehicle deployed. The contact son was occupying the front passenger seat but the seat belt failed to retract. There were no warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel air bag struck the driver in the mouth. The passenger had scratches, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and with the engine idling, the front passenger side seat belt pretensioner erroneously deployed, causing the passenger to be forcefully retracted into the seat. During the incident, an explosion had occurred, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The contact sustained an injured neck during the seat belt deployment. No medical treatment was required. After the incident, the air bag warning light had remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the failure had previously occurred on the front driver's side seat belt, also. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(SEAT BELTS). …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park, the seat belt was removed, and the contact heard a loud popping sound then the front driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed. As a result of the failure, the seat belt retracted and burned the contact hand. No medical attention was required. The air bag warning light and the seat belt warning light illuminated. No medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt retractor pretensioner failed and the seat belt retractor pretensioner and air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the passenger's side front seat belt exploded. There was an abnormal banging noise heard and there was smoke inside the vehicle. While occupying the passenger's side front seat, the seat belt pulled hard, and the passenger was slammed against the seat. The driver was able to pull over safely. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). While driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching an intersection, the air bag warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound like a gunshot coming from the vehicle, and smoke was inside the vehicle. The front passenger's seat belt unexpectedly deployed and retracted on the side of the vehicle. The seat belt failed to move and became inoperable. Prior to the failure, the owner's daughter was seated in the front passenger's seat. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while slowing down and pulling into the driveway at 25 MPH, the passenger's side air bag suddenly deployed without warning or impact. The seat belt struck the contact's wife on the right arm and wrist, and she sustained bruises; however, medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was contacted and informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts) and 24V099000 (Seat Belts). A loaner vehicle was initially provided, but the dealer informed the contact that the loaner was his responsibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the passenger's side seat belt pretensioner was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the front passenger's side seat belt pretensioner suddenly deployed causing the driver to nearly lose control of the steering. During the failure there was no passenger seated in the front passenger's seat. There was no crash. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with both the seat belt and driver's side air bags. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). The VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,000.
On [redacted], while driving my 2019 Ford Expedition (VIN: [redacted]) on the highway, the front passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner spontaneously deployed with a loud explosion and smoke. There was no accident, no impact, and no erratic driving. The seatbelt is now completely locked and unusable, and the entire SRS/Airbag system is disabled with a hard fault light on the dash. My vehicle is covered under the newly expanded Safety Recall 26S34 / NHTSA Campaign 26V344. I immediately visited an authorized Ford dealership (Covert Ford) seeking an interim repair or a safe loaner vehicle. The dealer refused to help, stated that the parts are unavailable, and handed me an internal printout stating that the FSA program is paused (Recall 24S06 Supplement #1). …
Vehicle parked and had just been started. Went to put on dvr seatbelt and a loud explosion happened to my left and the seatbelt shoulder strap was pulled out of my fingers. The driver seatbelt pretensioner activated without a collision and the cab filled with smoke. Vehicle has never been in a collision, ever had a restraint malfunction, is the original OEM safety component, and hasn't been serviced/replaced for a seatbelt/airbag issue. Now, the air bag light is activated and the seatbelt is tightly fully retracted to the pillar so tight it can't be moved at all. Access to the onboard computer can verify all the above info. Dealership stated there was an activation of the pretensioned charge on the driver seatbelt resulting in the belt fully retracting and the seatbelt no longer functioning. 2nd 2019 Ford Expedition they have seen this week with the same mishap. …
Airbag complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2019 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2019 Ford Expedition, 5% of the model year's 518 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Ford Expedition airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2019 Ford Expedition, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Ford Expedition airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.