Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Since leasing the vehicle, have had persistent problems with the front end, which resulted in wearing out several sets of expensive tires. Reported same to seller ( r. Brown & sons, inc. ) but no resolution. Involved in a crash in August, 1998, front end impact causing $2500 in damages, buckled hood, shattered bumper brackets, etc. But neither air bag deployed. Took vehicle to a different garage because front tires again seriously worn. Mechanic discovered right front stabilizer missing -- and no indication that it had ever been present. It is my belief that the vehicle was in a front end collision prior to our leasing it, a fact the seller did not divulge at the time. The salesman involved was terminated from employment at brown's shortly after we leased the vehicle. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Thought the guy in front of me was going to go through a yellow light, so I figured I would follow in suit. Then he just suddenly stopped, with me hitting him directly in the rearend. My seatbelts did not deploy, as my head hit and broke the windshield, and obviously the airbag did not go off. Suffering chest bruising and trouble breathing.
Consumer was traveling 30 to 40 MPH when was involved in a head-on collision in which neither drivers nor passenger's side air bags deployed, causing injuries to the driver's side occupant. Also there is over 4000 dollars of damage to the front end of the vehicle. Please provide any further details.
Consumer was involved in an accident in which the airbags did not experience deployment and the seat belts did not lock, consumer states the vehicle has been fixed, however the seat belts still do not lock in place, consumer was injured in the accident.
While driving consumer hit some ice and slid off road and ran over a small tree, vehicle began to spin. While spinning, consumer hit two more trees on the driver's side, air bags did not deploy at all. Consumer was injured slightly.
I put on the brakes when I realized I was going to rear-end the car in front of me and when the accident happened the airbags and safety belt restraints failed, leaving me hitting the steering wheel and my head hitting the windshield.
Going about 40mph when driver lost control of vehicle & hit telephone pole. Driver's side air bag did not deploy upon impact but passenger side air bag did deploy. Air bag deployed after driver left vehicle. Vehicle was totaled.
Was traveling 50 MPH when another vehicle pulled out in front. This caused Explorer to "t" boned it. Once this happened, air bags on the Explorer failed to deploy. Vehicle's front was damage, but was repairable. No injuries.
As a past and present owner of Ford vehicles, I wish to express my sincere dissatisfaction with the recent lack of support the Ford motor company and its dealerships provide to insure the integrity of Ford vehicle safety systems. I am writing with respect to a recent repair that was performed on the airbag system of my 1995 Ford Explorer. When the odometer read approximately 56,000 miles, the dashboard airbag indicator lamp began to illuminate. After taking it to dick ruhl Ford at 7250 sawmill road in columbus, ohio for repair, I was informed that the cost of the repair ($425.45) would not be covered due to excessive mileage. In addition, two separate visits to the dealership were required to complete the repair since the source of the problem was not properly diagnosed initially.
Air bag sensor light continued to stay on. Dealer notified, and infomed consumer that problem was due to a clock spring failure. Any repairs would be at consumer's cost. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1995 Ford Explorer, though it has 5 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 1995 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 21 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.