359 of the
11,934 complaints filed about the Ford Expedition
are about the airbag system —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (Seat Belts). While driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching an intersection, the air bag warning light illuminated. There was an abnormally loud sound like a gunshot coming from the vehicle, and smoke was inside the vehicle. The front passenger’s seat belt unexpectedly deployed and retracted on the side of the vehicle. The seat belt failed to move and became inoperable. Prior to the failure, the owner's daughter was seated in the front passenger’s seat. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #11751497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2020 Ford Expedition MAX. Ford issued Safety Recall 26S48 / NHTSA 26V402 confirming a transmission park pawl defect causing potential rollaway and crash risk. Remedy not available until Q2 2027. Vehicle has experienced the exact defect symptoms since at least November 2025 including stuck-in-park diagnostic codes and shifting anomalies. Prior to November 2025 the transmission failed to execute a commanded shift at approximately 65mph while passing another vehicle on an expressway causing sudden unexpected deceleration with family members present — a near-miss consistent with the park pawl defect Ford now confirms. An authorized Ford dealer visit in June 2026 for computer reprogramming included verbal acknowledgment of transmission concerns but no documentation on the repair order. Eight days later Ford issued Recall 26S48. Separately this vehicle has generated over 1,400 Restraints Indicator Lamp Warnings logged in Ford’s own connected vehicle app since at least April 2023. Restraints warnings began within 30 days of purchase at under 400 miles. Ford issued Recall 26S34 / NHTSA 26V344 for Front Seatbelt Retractor inspection on this vehicle. On multiple dealer visits spanning 2021 to 2026 service advisers verbally acknowledged the restraints warning but documented no concern and performed no diagnostic action on repair orders. Ford’s telematics platform received all warnings in real time with no proactive owner notification. Remedy not available for either recall.
NHTSA complaint #11751145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The airbag warning light illuminated on my 2019 Ford Expedition. My Ford dealer diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed that the condition is related to an active Ford safety recall. The dealer also confirmed that the defect disables the entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), meaning the airbags will not deploy in the event of a collision. I was informed that the recall replacement part will not be available until approximately December 2026 and that Ford will not authorize an interim repair or replacement using available parts. As a result, I am expected to continue driving a vehicle with a disabled airbag system for several months despite the known safety defect. The dealer advised that if I choose to have the vehicle diagnosed or repaired before the recall remedy becomes available, I must pay the costs myself and may only be eligible for reimbursement if Ford later authorizes it. This defect significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death because the airbags will not deploy in a crash. I am filing this complaint because a manufacturer should not leave owners without a functioning airbag system for months while waiting for recall parts.
NHTSA complaint #11748011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX, while driving my 2019 Ford Expedition (VIN: [XXX]) on the highway, the front passenger seatbelt retractor pretensioner spontaneously deployed with a loud explosion and smoke. There was no accident, no impact, and no erratic driving. The seatbelt is now completely locked and unusable, and the entire SRS/Airbag system is disabled with a hard fault light on the dash. My vehicle is covered under the newly expanded Safety Recall 26S34 / NHTSA Campaign 26V344. I immediately visited an authorized Ford dealership (Covert Ford) seeking an interim repair or a safe loaner vehicle. The dealer refused to help, stated that the parts are unavailable, and handed me an internal printout stating that the FSA program is paused (Recall 24S06 Supplement #1). Ford and the dealership are forcing me to drive an unsafe vehicle with a compromised restraint system and disabled airbags, putting my family at extreme risk because they do not have a remedy or interim solution available. I am requesting immediate federal intervention to hold Ford accountable and compel them to provide a safe rental/loaner vehicle until the final recall remedy parts are available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11747570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while slowing down and pulling into the driveway at 25 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag suddenly deployed without warning or impact. The seat belt struck the contact’s wife on the right arm and wrist, and she sustained bruises; however, medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was contacted and informed about NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts) and 24V099000 (Seat Belts). A loaner vehicle was initially provided, but the dealer informed the contact that the loaner was his responsibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to parts being on back order. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11746130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"YOUR AIR BAG WARNING IS ON DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE FRONT PASENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY." THIS SYSTEM SHOULD UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE BE MALFUNCTIONING IN ANY WAY OUTSIDE OF A COLLISION. THIS NEEDS RECALLED AND FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #11745673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it failed to start with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning light continuously remained illuminated. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V847000 (Steering, Air Bags); however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11734069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was in a head on collision and my airbags did not deploy. Also when I looked at my seat belt after the crash it was fully extended out and did not retract.
NHTSA complaint #11733739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and with the engine idling, the front passenger side seat belt pretensioner erroneously deployed, causing the passenger to be forcefully retracted into the seat. During the incident, an explosion had occurred, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The contact sustained an injured neck during the seat belt deployment. No medical treatment was required. After the incident, the air bag warning light had remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the failure had previously occurred on the front driver's side seat belt, also. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(SEAT BELTS). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11729065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign, causing the contact to T-bone the other vehicle, causing damage to the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that no air bags did not deploy in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash to the neck and upper back. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned the vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed him to take the vehicle to the dealership. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11724708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Air Bags did not deploy Impact directly to drivers side of vehicle the other car was going 55 MPH caused me the driver to hit my head on the window hard. I was informed the air bags should have deployed by officer on site.
NHTSA complaint #11713268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the occupancy sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the occupancy sensors and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The failure reoccurred again on two other occasions, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact research and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11706554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V197000(Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40 MPH, the front driver’s side seat belt retracted and tightened unexpectedly, and then detached. Additionally, the front driver’s side air bag deployed unexpectedly. The contact’s wife sustained bruises and a head injury; however, no medical assistance had been received. The insurance company assisted in towing the vehicle to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer related the failure to the recall and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to confirm when the parts would be available. The contact also stated that no loaner vehicle was provided. The contact expressed concerns that the failure posed a serious risk of injury to the vehicle occupants. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11690963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yesterday, while I was driving to pick up my kids from school, my 2019 Ford Expedition, the driver’s side seatbelt literally exploded — it went off like it would in a crash (but there was no crash). I was driving when it exploded and tightened so tight on me. Now the seatbelt doesn’t work at all. It was terrifying, so loud and painful. This is part of a known recall issue. When the dealership had my car back in May to replace my cam phasers, they told me the seatbelt recall parts weren’t available yet. Fast forward to now — the seatbelt has gone off, the vehicle can’t be driven safely, and Ford (both the local dealership and customer service) is saying there’s nothing they can do for me right now. The dealership told me I would have to pay to have it towed and pay for a rental. Also, they aren’t sure how fast they can get parts or diagnose it. I’m honestly at a loss. This is a safety recall, and I can’t use my car because of it. I literally just paid $2400 in may for my cam phasers and now this.
NHTSA complaint #11682373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag deployed unexpectedly. The contact stated that his twelve-year-old daughter was seated in the front passenger’s side seat during the failure. The daughter sustained a seat belt injury to the neck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the unintended deployment of the passenger’s side air bag was confirmed. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that there was no recall coverage for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,682.
NHTSA complaint #11682162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2025 Expedition Safety Recalls* Transit custom passenger airbag replacement Recall incomplete Connecting rod inspection Recall incomplete 3.5L engine cup plug inspection Recall incomplete As no RECALLS are or have been reported for this vehicle, this REPORT IS an initial report in behalf of an investor. Please BROADCAST "AMBER ALERT", AS airbags are detrimental for safety during collision accidents of the body size and passager capacity. Please BROADCAST "amber alert" for HIGHWAY AND SAFETY control.
NHTSA complaint #11679477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX], I bought a new Ford Expedition Max Platinum. Four days after I bought the Ford Expedition Max, I experienced brake failure and all warning lights going off on the Ford. I was unable to brake correctly and almost causing a wreck on [XXX] in Charlottesville, VA. I called the Ford Dealership, (Myers Ford) in Elkton where I bought the Ford and they sent me a message saying there was an open recall that would be coming out but not till Q3 due to no fixes as of yet. I told them I didn't trust the car and what was I supposed to do. They sent me a text with a fix and said Ford told them it would be safe to drive. I had to follow the instructions on the message from Ford and the car was back up and running. [XXX], my family and I were returning from NC and there was a wreck that ensued in front of us and with about 60 feet of room, we tried to brake and the brakes failed on us and we rear ended the truck ahead and we totaled are new expedition max. I have tried to reach out to Ford and make a complaint but they keep hanging up on us and rejecting our phone calls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11671842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I actually have already sent in an assessment for airbag, but then read the recall on brakes, which at the time, because a new vehicle, I didn’t think possible. Even when pushing on my brakes, my vehicle was not slowing down like it should have, and I had a front end collision. It was hard for me to think this was because of brakes because new, but I do think they need to be examined.
NHTSA complaint #11669778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.