Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed abruptly merged into his lane and collided with the contact on the front passenger side of the vehicle, sending the vehicle careening to the shoulder of the roadway and coming to a complete stop after colliding with a guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but later towed to a body shop for repair. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnosis. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. All occupants were transported to an area hospital by EMS for treatment. …
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the driver of the vehicle ahead abruptly braked; as a result, the contact collided with the rear of the vehicle ahead. The air bags did deploy; however, the contact stated that the driver's side air bag failed to fully deploy, only inflating to the size of a volleyball, and the front passenger side air bag caused the glove box panel to detach and become a projectile that resulted in injury to the passenger. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact transported herself and her husband to an area hospital, where her husband was treated for various cuts and bruises to his legs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light was blinking off and on. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for assistance. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the second-row seat belt harnesses had an electrical issue which was preventing the air bags from functioning as needed in the rear seat harnesses and the passenger and driver's frontal air bags. The dealer referenced Technical Service Bulletin Number: 16-0001 as a possible fix to repair the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair but declined to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer for an undisclosed unrelated failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 and the contact was advised to call the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11 had expired and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt inflator sensor needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred approximately one year later. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test retrieved DTC: B141B-13. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I was in an accident driving ro work. Driver was coming off if a local freeway and slammed into the driver side at the front portion of driver door and wheel location. My vehicle was thrown across 3 lanes of traffic and half way onto a side walk. I slammed my head so hard on the driver door glass that it broke the window. Airbags did not deploy at any time. I was not going very fast but the other driver was racing to get threw a yellow light that had already turned red at the time of impact throwing the vehicle as stated above at an undetermined speed
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the sensor located in the steering rack was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
I purchased the Explorer used in November 2022 and almost immediately began having problems with the Air Bag light coming on intermittently. I contacted the dealership and had it in for repairs multiple times but was told if the light isn't currently illuminated they could not determine the issue. Last time I took it to the dealership the light was on when I dropped it off but they said it was not on when they inspected the vehicle. I picked it up and on the way home the light came on and has now been on constantly for two weeks. I went back to the dealership but they are unable to look at it until next week. I've been told if I were to be in an accident my airbags would not deploy. After some research, I've found this to be an extremely common issue that affects the safety of numerous individuals driving this model vehicle.
Ford explorer had known issues with connectors under the rear passenger seats which they did a recall for certain VIN numbers. They said it only effected certain VPN which were from a specific factory in Chicago I have the same issue and my VIN is not listed and Ford and the dealership will not do anything to help fix the problem. If I pay out of pocket they want 500 dollars to fix it. The issue is Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Explorer Vehicles 2nd Row Inflatable Seat Belt - In all of the affected vehicles, the air bag light may illuminate as a result of a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector and if the light is on that means the air bags will not work.
Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over $350. Both dealer and Ford refused to cover this repair. I am very dissapointed.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 1,682 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2014 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 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 2014 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 11 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.