# Ford Explorer airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 205 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (104) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 205 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Ford Explorer (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (104). There are **3 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Ford Explorer airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 72 | 1814 | 4% | | 2016 | 104 | 2464 | 4% | | 2017 | 16 | 1713 | 1% | | 2018 | 6 | 733 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 302 | 0% | | 2020 | 2 | 1248 | 0% | | 2021 | 1 | 452 | 0% | | 2022 | 1 | 271 | 0% | | 2025 | 2 | 107 | 2% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Ford Explorer recalls related to the airbag warning light **[26V581000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=26V581000)** (2026 models, reported 2026-09-09): An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2026. **[21V652000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V652000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-08-23): Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 10, 2021. **[20V497000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V497000)** (2020 models, reported 2020-08-21): If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. **Remedy:** Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove front seat back panels from one or both front seats (VIN-specific) and verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Ford Explorer owners report - "2025 Explorer Safety Recalls* Missing o-ring supporting disc on bosch fuel injectors Recall incomplete Accessory protocol interface module software update - loss of rear-view camera image Recall incomplete Missing dashboard air bag warning label Recall incomplete Transmission cross member bolt torque Recall..." -- owner of a 2025 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2025 - "restrains indicator lamp warning air bag warning issue with vehicle impact sensor. this can prevent that the air bag system from deploying properly" -- owner of a 2022 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2025 - "On 11/25/2021, I started the vehicle and drove about 2 miles when I noticed that the airbag light was illuminated on the dash. Knowing that this is a safety concern, I pulled into a parking lot and shut off the vehicle. I let the vehicle sit for about 30 seconds and restarted the car. When restarted, the light did..." -- owner of a 2021 Ford Explorer, complaint filed 2021 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Ford Explorer airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (26V581000, 21V652000, 20V497000) covering 2020-2026 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Ford Explorer years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Explorer model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 104 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Ford Explorer with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Ford Explorer has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Ford dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Ford Explorer warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ford-explorer): 33 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/ford-explorer): 15 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ford-explorer): 62 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-explorer): 314 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/ford-explorer): 222 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/ford-explorer): 11 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/ford-explorer): 23 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-civic): 59 complaints ## Ford Explorer - [Ford Explorer specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/ford-explorer) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.