Ford Expedition Airbag Problems

Owners have filed 362 complaints about air bags problems with the Ford Expedition — 4% of all Expedition complaints. The worst model years are 2003 (59), 2004 (46) and 2000 (35). Problems typically start around 83,000 miles. 4 related recalls have been issued.

362complaints
2003worst year
83ktypical miles
4related recalls
222crashes
8fires

Airbag complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26’272620193519165946916541313375511525932122
Airbag complaints per model year, Ford Expedition.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202525%—
202423%—
202312%—
202222%94,000 miles
202131%—
202092%63,000 miles
2019255%89,000 miles
201851%54,000 miles
2017113%45,000 miles
201652%86,000 miles
201553%50,000 miles
2014710%64,000 miles
201333%200,000 miles
201233%9,000 miles
201111%10,000 miles
201035%138,000 miles
200914%60,000 miles
200843%100,000 miles
200752%87,000 miles
2006165%101,000 miles
200593%75,000 miles
20044615%87,000 miles
20035910%85,000 miles
2002165%41,000 miles
2001193%92,000 miles
2000354%83,000 miles
1999192%125,000 miles
1998202%88,000 miles
1997263%125,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Frontal
    108
  • Side/window
    24
  • Frontal › Sensor/control module
    11
  • Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
    3
  • Sensor › Occupant classification
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2914%
  • 25k–50k
    2612%
  • 50k–75k
    4321%
  • 75k–100k
    3416%
  • 100k–150k
    5426%
  • 150k+
    2311%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that as his wife had attempted to park the vehicle, she placed the gear shifter into park(P) and let her foot off the brake pedal. Once she released her foot off the brake, the vehicle abruptly accelerated forward and hit a storage shed. The contact depressed the brake pedal multiple times during the failure but the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police were not called and no medical assistance was needed. The storage shed was destroyed as a result of the impact. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

2021 Expedition · Nov 2022 · crash

I was in an accident on December 9 at 2 pm it was slightly wet out & 51 degrees i was making a left turn out of a business went into the middle lane and gave some gas to merge into the lane and the back end of the vehicle locked up and swung into a tail spin to the right as I applied the brakes it locked up worse and the vehicle spun around twice. Went into oncoming traffic and was hit. Had to exite the vehicle on the passenger side because i could not open the drivers door. When the police and tow truck came the both could not believe the airbags did not deploy . The car was found to be totaled by my insurance Co. AAA The fact that not one of the airbags didn't deploy is very disturbing to me!!! This was my first Ford and dont think i will ever own anther.

2021 Expedition · Dec 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at 50 MPH, a vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into both the contact's vehicle and another vehicle. The contact stated that air bags did not deploy , the seat belts did not lock and no warning lights appeared upon impact. The contact and her daughter both sustained a headache and other aches to their neck and shoulders. A police report was filed. Despite the failure, the contact managed to drive the vehicle back home despite front end damage to the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and both referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

2020 Expedition · 53,000 miles · May 2023 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40 MPH, the front driver's side seat belt retracted and tightened unexpectedly, and then detached. Additionally, the front driver's side air bag deployed unexpectedly. The contact's wife sustained bruises and a head injury; however, no medical assistance had been received. The insurance company assisted in towing the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer related the failure to the recall and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …

2020 Expedition · 46,000 miles · Oct 2025 · 1 injury

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.

2019 Expedition · 89,000 miles · Dec 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

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). …

2019 Expedition · 135,000 miles · Oct 2025 · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing the contact to T-bone the other vehicle, causing damage to the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags did not deploy in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash to the neck and upper back. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned the vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed him to take the vehicle to the dealership. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

2018 Expedition · 88,000 miles · Mar 2026 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the occupancy sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the occupancy sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The failure reoccurred again on two other occasions, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact research and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. …

2017 Expedition · Sensor › Occupant classification · 120,000 miles · Dec 2023

Related recalls (4)

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 25V-439 · Jun 27, 2025 · 171 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.

Air bags › Sensor › Side impact

NHTSA recall 21V-805 · Oct 15, 2021 · 777 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 07V-541 · Nov 21, 2007 · 45 vehicles

Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the driver air bag module May not have been properly assembled.

Remedy: Dealers will replace your driver air bag module free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 01V-082 · Mar 12, 2001 · 268 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module May have an inadequate weld near the igniter.

Remedy: Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began March 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Expedition years have airbag problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (59), 2004 (46), 2000 (35), 1997 (26) and 2019 (25) model years. Airbag complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2003.

Is there a recall for Ford Expedition airbag problems?

Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-439 (frontal, Jun 27, 2025); 21V-805 (side impact, Oct 15, 2021); 07V-541 (inflator module, Nov 21, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ford Expedition airbag problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the frontal (108 mentions), followed by the side/window (24).

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.