Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbag light suddenly comes on for the last few weeks. I did some research and found that when the airbag light is on that it is disabled. If the vehicle was to be involved in an accident the airbag would not deploy. I am concern that this vehicle is a family vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to two Ford Dealership and was told they are so backed up that it would take at least two weeks before I can get an appointment. One of the service tech even joke about making sure to wear my seatbelt because the airbag is not working. I tried looking for a recall but have not found one. I also learned this is a very common problem with most Ford vehicle and there is not permanent fix.
Airbag lights kept going on and off and now stays on giving code B1212. It is a safety issue since it has to do with the Driver seatbelt buckle pretensioner circuit. Airbags may not deploy incase of an accident. Apparently it is a problem with ford explorer vehicles which ford has failed to rectify or have a recall for it. I need to know the fix or resolution for this before anything unfortunate happens.
Vehicle has an illuminated airbag service light supposedly due to a malfunction in to electrical connections of the airbag system or a faulty drivers seatbelt tensioner. Apparently this will result in the airbag not deploying during a crash. Ford dealers have serviced other parties Explorer's with the issue by checking electrical connections and adding dielectric grease or by replacing the driver's seatbelt tensioner. This repairs usually result in upwards on 5 hours of labor plus parts which the owners were charged. These fixes are only temporary as the problem typically returns. This is a safety issue resulting from poor manufacturing or installation of parts and numerous explorers manufactured between 2012 and 2016 are experiencing it. Owners should not be charged for the incompetence of manufacturing processes or lack of planning especially when the problem is safety related.
On 3 separate occasions over the last 3 years the airbag warning indicator light on the dash has come on, for no apparent reason. On each occasion I have taken the vehicle to my local Ford service center where they finally determined that the solution was to apply some dielectric grease to the electric connectors under the drivers seat. This fix was covered under my extended warranty on the first 2 occasions on the 3rd they agreed to apply the grease at no cost to me. My service center has told me that when this problem occurs the airbag will not deploy. Wondering why something as important as an airbag has loose connectors which hang down under the drivers seat, seems like a design flaw? Why is there no recall to permanently fix this issue.
The wipers will randomly turn on even if the switch is off. I have found that I have to turn the wipers on to the highest setting then immediately turn them off you get the wipers to stay off. My second problem is the air bag warning light will turn on at random times while driving. I can go weeks or months with out it turning on but I can also go weeks with it staying on 24/7. I have taken it to a Ford dealer to be looked at and the answer I got was 'we are not sure why it's doing it but just put a towel on the dash to keep it from getting hot and that should fix it maybe'. I have found that while driving if my wife turns around to get/give something to our child the light will turn on when she fully sits back down.
The same common problem with every single 2012 Ford Explorer. The airbag light came on and possibly disabled the airbag system. According to hundreds of Explorer owners this issue is an endless money pit because there is no permanent fix and Ford refuses to recall the vehicle for this problem. The cost for turning off the light at a Ford dealership will be upwards of $400 and will only turn the airbag light off for a short while. I was promised by local Ford dealer "there's a high probability I'll have to bring the car back in for this issues down the road and their apologies but there's nothing from Ford to help me cover the cost of this repair". Unsafe rip off.... Pure and simple
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (lombard Ford, inc located at 385 new hartford rd, barkhamsted, ct 06063; [phone]) where the dealer stated that the contact needed to pay to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: cas-12821614. The failure mileage was 103,149.
On 4/17/2019 my air bag light came on its not blinking just solid its been almost a week and light is still on. I have researched this issue and it appears to be a common issue with my Ford year and model. From what I researched none of the Ford repairs have permanently repaired this issue. From I have read in these complaints is the airbag will not deploy when this light is on wondering why there is not a recall for this very dangerous condition. I am not taken my car to a Ford dealer to pay hundreds of dollars for a temporary fix this needs to be addressed asap.
This is a safety issue - air bags could malfunction at anytime due to miscommunication within the system. Air bags can deploy at anytime or can fail to deploy when necessary. Air bag light turns on and stays on. According to Ford dealer this is a known issue but has not yet been recalled. Seat belt buckle replaced, air bag diagnostic module replaced, program control module air bag reprogramed. Light continues to turn on. Has a wire harness issue l/f door module SRS - wiring loom needs to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. The dealer stated that the failure was referenced in service bulletin number: 10044523. The failure also produced an air tensioner code, which could prevent the air bag tensioner from tightening or the air bags from deploying. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 829 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 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 2012 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
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.