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 2003 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the passenger side air bag immediately deployed without warning. The contact stated that the powdery dust from the deployed air bag clouded his vision and caused the vehicle to rear end the preceding vehicle. The crash caused a chain reaction that involved four vehicles. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor cuts and pains that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard, from where it was later picked retrieved by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 73,700....updated 02/22/17
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving at an unknown rate of speed on a highway, the contact was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The other vehicle rolled over and the contact's vehicle stopped at the median. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a mild concussion, a bruised sternum, back and neck pains. The contact received medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 319,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving at 50 MPH, the front and rear driver side tires blew out, which caused the vehicle to flip over several times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact suffered injuries to the lower back, arm, and knees. The passenger suffered an inflammation of the lower back. The driver and passenger both required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent facility. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front end of the contact's vehicle. The front driver side air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head, back, and knees that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,404. Updated 09/27/16
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 45 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered lacerations to the left arm and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000. The VIN was unavailable.
1. While stopped on the interstate waiting for traffic to move, my 2003 Ford Explorer xlt was rear-ended by another SUV traveling at presumably highway speed. As a result, my SUV was propelled forward, hitting the rear of another vehicle. 2. **drivers side airbag did not deploy.** passenger's side airbag deployed (the driver was the only passenger). * base, and possibly the back, of the drivers seat broke.** (I was restrained in a seat belt.) I hit the roof of the vehicle, hitting my head quite hard on the rubber gasket edge of the moonroof, and when landing I think I hit my nose on the steering wheel. When I landed, the base of the seat broke...when looking at it from the side (looking at the controls), the base of the seat has a bend in it like an upside-down v, and the seat back appears to be reclined. …
I was involved in a front end collision with my 2003 Ford Explorer. Photographic evidence clearly shows the point of impact with a large pole to the left of center towards the drivers side. The passenger side air bag deployed, the drivers side air bag failed to deploy. I sustained serious head injuries due to a concussion as a result of the air bag failing to deploy. I don't know my speed because I had fallen asleep while driving, but it was fast enough that the passenger side air bag did go off. I believe my resulting injuries and lost of work would have been significantly less had the drivers side air bag deployed as it should have.
Dt: the contact states the driver's side and the passenger's side air bags did not deploy during an accident. The contact's daughter was driving at 55-60 MPH when a dog jumped in front of the vehicle, causing it to hit the dog. The vehicle is in the body shop to be repaired. Consumer has contacted the manufacturer. They told him to take the vehicle to the local dealership to be tested to determine the cause for the airbags not deploying. There was no indication that there was a malfunction with the air bags in the vehicle. The vehicle belonged to the contact's daughter.
I was recently involved in an automobile accident while driving my 2003 Ford Explorer. Another driver pulled out from a stop sign directly in front of me while I was traveling approximately 40 MPH. My Explorer experienced significant damage to the front end. The entire front end of the vehicle needs to be replaced. During this accident neither of the front air bags deployed. I am just begining to make contacts to try and get an explaination as to why the air bags did not deploy. Digital photos of the damaged vehicle are availble.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 70 MPH, the contact swerved to miss a wild hog in the road. She drove into the path of oncoming traffic, slammed on the brakes, and the vehicle rolled over three times. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the shop where it currently remains. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 4% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Ford Explorer, though it has 2 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 2003 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 0 fires and 29 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.