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 2002 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her fianc 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 fianc 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.
I was driving down the road and my airbag instantly deployed in my face without cause or notice. I became completely disoriented as it hit my hand and face with severe force and was extremely loud and shocking. I thank God that I had just let off the gas and didn't hurt anyone else. If I had panicked or was going through an intersection, experiencing a turn, coming to a stop, or someone in front of me stopped I could have struck another vehicle or object and caused death or injuries. I have not brought the vehicle anywhere to be checked out yet. My insurance refuses to cover it. There were no warning signs of this airbag deployment.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling less than 5 MPH, the vehicle's throttle became stuck without warning which caused the vehicle to accelerate to a speed above 40 MPH. The vehicle crashed thru a fence and into the rear of a motor home causing the front driver's side tire to fracture. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The contact sustained whiplash, neck and back pains from the failure. A police incident report was filed and the vehicle was to be towed to a yard until it would be able to get inspected and diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, surged forward, and crashed into a building. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage; however, the air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered injuries to the left arm and hip, head, and neck. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 47,000.
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.
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.
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!
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.
NHTSA investigations
Inoperative air bag system
Mis-assembled airbag clockspring
In July 2001, Ford issued a special service message announcing that some air bagclockspring devices May produce noise when the steering wheel is turned full left or right.Ford was aware that some clocksprings May have been improperly installed.the improper installation May also cause an open circuit and the air bag warning light to illuminate.starting with vehicles produced in September 2001, Ford adding length to…
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 162 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 3,295 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (34 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Ford Explorer, though it has 4 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 2002 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 61 crashes, 5 fires and 66 injuries and 2 deaths 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.