Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 | 4% | 200,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 38,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | 53,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% | 228,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% | 140,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 25 | 6% | 130,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, another vehicle pulled in front, and he was not able to honk the horn. Additionally, the cruise control deactivated independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer who determined a failure with the clock spring. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Air Bag Light Illuminated on 2014 Ford f350. Recall on other year models but not on my year model . With light illuminated the air bag circuit is open therefore the airbag system is usless which is a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford f-350. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a parked trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage for this crash was 80,000. In addition, while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the body shop where it was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. There were no injuries in either crash. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
June 25, 2007, we were in montana and had just come down from approx. 14,000 ft. Pass, closed sun roof on our 2008 Ford f350 crewcab diesel, all 4 occupants (3 adults & 1 child) fell asleep @ 2:00 pm in the afternoon. Passenger woke as we were going off the pavement, tried to put truck back on pavement but front of truck would not get under control, hit mail boxes and veered to left (still unable to control) not speeding, hit head on into trees, rolled to roof. Air bags did not deploy on either side, driver side (front and back) roof crushed to top and into front drivers seat and almost to frame of window in the back seat. Why or what caused us all to fall asleep after closing sun roof, why were we not able to control front of truck (too heavy?), why did air bags not deploy and why did roof crush so far on a roll to roof, we did not roll completely over. Truck was totaled. …
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-350. While driving 50 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and the dealer was not contacted as of yet. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a neck fracture that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford f-350. The contact stated that he fell asleep while driving and the vehicle traveled off the roadway where he crashed into two trees. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was uninjured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileage was 140,000.
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the driver air bag module May not have been properly assembled.
Remedy: Dealers will replace your driver air bag module free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module May have an inadequate weld near the igniter.
Remedy: Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began March 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: light duty trucks. The cast tow hooks changes the crash pulse of the vehicle in frontal barrier impacts and the air bag sensor was not calibrated to this new crash pulse which May cause the air bags to deploy in lower speed impacts than design intent.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cast tow hooks with forged hooks.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-350 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (25), 2000 (12), 2001 (9) and 2006 (7) model years. Airbag complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-350 airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 07V-541 (inflator module, Nov 21, 2007); 01V-082 (frontal, Mar 12, 2001); 98V-303 (sensor/control module-inactive, Dec 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-350 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 107,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (41 mentions), followed by the side/window (3).
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.