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 1999 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving along a main street I was struck by another vehicle in the front right portion of the vehicle I was driving. My airbag did not deploy upon impact therefore, my face hit the steering wheel and as a result my face hit the steering wheel which cause a broken jaw and cracked teeth vehicle was moving forward approximately 35 miles per hour. I was rushed to hospital by ambulance and a police report was made.
I was traveling behind a concrete truck when he slammed on brakes. I hit the truck and the front end of my Explorer was significantly damaged. According to the police officer and several body shop mechanics, the airbag should have deployed. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and the damage appears to be irreparable. The airbag failed to deploy and therefore I was thrown into the steering wheel. The impact was severe because the concrete truck was so large that it did not give into the impact at all.
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 7 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to neck, the back, and head. The passenger sustained back injuries. The contact and passenger required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving at various speeds with the driver side turn signal engaged, a puff of smoke emitted from the steering wheel without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred five times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 186,200.
While driving at 65 MPH vehicle lost power steering. The steering wheel tightened, and consumer lost control to the vehicle, and it crashed into a cement wall, rolling over several times before stopping. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver sustained third degree road rash burn on the left side of their body which started from their shoulder to the thigh area.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the driver side seat air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained various injuries to the left side of the body. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,338.
While driving 35 MPH the driver lost control of the vehicle, went off the road and hit a tree head on. Upon impact the frontal air bags failed to deploy. The driver strained the muscles in her back and sprained her left thumb. The vehicle has not been repaired and is still in the owners possession.
I was on my way to work when I hit a slippery spot on the road and my vehicle went out of control with the rear end sliding out from under me, it hit a bank and rolled over 3 or 4 times. The airbag on the drivers side and passenger side did not deploy when it should have.
While driving at 40 MPH, the consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, the dual air bags did not deploy. The consumer hit the steering wheel and the check engine light had come on and stayed on for two weeks.
On 11/24/00 I hit a deer going 45-50 MPH. My air bags did not deploy and the driver and passenger seat belts did not lock. The front fender of my truck is cracked. The license plate flew 100 hundred feet as did the deer. Winner Ford said that the impact May not have been enough to lock the seat belts or cause the air bags to inflate. This was said without looking at the truck. On 11/26/00 I was bringing the truck to winner Ford, the truck then shut off while I was driving it. The key was still in the ignition and the engine was turning over as if it was still on. On closer inspection it was seen that you could see the metal behind the plastic casing. There was a gap of a 1/4 inch or more. The truck shut off 3 more times on my way home. I have already had the electric modual changed. The first time I went they told me it had been done, but it was not. …
NHTSA investigations
Airbag system's light dysfunctional
There is no summary currently available
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 97 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 7% of the model year's 1,348 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Ford Explorer, though it has 9 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 1999 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 1 fire and 24 injuries and 1 death 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.