164 of the
4,097 complaints about the 2002 Ford Explorer are about the
airbag system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
73,000 miles.
I was driving down the road and my airbag instantly deployed in my face without cause or notice. I became completely disoriented as it hit my hand and face with severe force and was extremely loud and shocking. I thank God that I had just let off the gas and didn't hurt anyone else. If I had panicked or was going through an intersection, experiencing a turn, coming to a stop, or someone in front of me stopped I could have struck another vehicle or object and caused death or injuries. I have not brought the vehicle anywhere to be checked out yet. My insurance refuses to cover it. There were no warning signs of this airbag deployment.
NHTSA complaint #11751609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,583 milesLewisburg, TN
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her fiancé was driving 45 MPH, the driver’s side and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed without an impact or a crash, causing the contact’s fiancé to swerve and drive down into a ditch. No warning lights were illuminated. The front bumper, windshield, and passenger’s side taillight were cracked. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,583.
NHTSA complaint #11594472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, CT
AIR BAGS
The light form air bad juts got on when I was driving
NHTSA complaint #11421822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 261,765 milesBronx, NY
AIR BAGS
I WAS ON MOTION WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON BUT I WENT TO CHECK AND THEY SAY I HAVE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR
NHTSA complaint #11412884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 294,000 milesSummit, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. TOTALED MY VEHICLE AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
NHTSA complaint #11246284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AKCrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A FATAL CRASH WHICH INVOLVED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VICTIM'S VEHICLE WAS FOUND THREE HOURS AFTER THE CRASH AND THE VEHICLE HAD FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE VICTIM WAS FOUND, WEARING THE SEATBELT BUT NO AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (CASE NUMBER: 19-11405). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CITY OBSERVED A CURFEW WHEREBY THE CORONER'S REPORT STATED THAT 'DEATH WAS CAUSED BY A MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE INJURY TO THE HEAD". THE STREET LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF FROM 12 MIDNIGHT TO 5 AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRASH MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 3AM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO THE APD (ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT) IMPOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11221054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 280,000 milesPortland, ORCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
ON JANUARY 21, 2019 I WAS HIT HEAD-ON BY A DRIVER WHO FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. TOTALLED MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER! MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT! I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET.
NHTSA complaint #11195257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesDolomite, ALCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, A VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LOWER AND UPPER BACK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND HAD TO PRY THE DRIVER'S DOOR OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #11169996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesGalena, KSCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN, SPUN AROUND, AND LANDED IN A RAVINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GARNERS TOWING IN MIAMI, OK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
NHTSA complaint #11005844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" I ONLY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER A RECALL WAS ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10971703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 219,090 milesMadera, CA
AIR BAGS
THE ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE AND STAYS ON . THE AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS 33 THEN STAYS ON. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE TRAILER BRAKE AND ALARM WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN WOULD NOT START UNTIL BATTERY CABLES WERE REMOVED FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN VEHICAL STARTED BUT EVERY TIME YOU CLOSE A DOOR OR ANY VIBRATION THE ALARM GOES OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10953947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OK2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10916807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,173 milesCrescent City, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 31ST 2016,I WAS INVOLVE IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT AND AT WHICH TIME MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY..AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION IT WAS DETERMINE THAT MY CLOCK SPRING WAS BAD..MY INSURANCE ESTIMATOR/OR ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION WAS NOT A RESULT FROM THE ACCIDENT..THEN I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE NHTSA TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS INCIDENT ....MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10888455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 260,000 milesTamaqua, PA
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AFTER THE DRIVER HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND STUCK A CHILD WHICH WAS SEATED IN THE REAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10881836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesPortland, OR
AIR BAGS
ON MAY 6, 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 BETWEEN 55-60 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION INSIDE MY CAR. THE RIGHT/LEFT SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND CALL AAA. I WAS TOWED TO THE LANDMARK FORD SERVICE CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #10871375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesPortland, OR
AIR BAGS
BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE CARE TOWED. THE EXPLOSION WAS QUITE TRAUMATIC AND IT TOOK ME SEVERAL SECONDS TO REALIZE JUST WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10863754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hyattsville, MD
AIR BAGS
TWO WEEKS AGO FOR NO REASON MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I CONTACTED FORD AND COULDN'T GET ANY HELP FROM THEM AT ALL. I WAS LEAVING WORK IN VIRGINIA.
NHTSA complaint #10838854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, VA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT : EVERY TIME YOU MOVE THE SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON $683.00 REPAIR SERVICE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD NO COMPENSATION FOR REPAIRS MILES 22,000. FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE LEFT AND RIGHT 60,000 MILES. REAR SPRING FAILURE 75000 MILES FRONT SPRING FAILURE 75000 MILES. FUEL TANK REGISTERS 1/4 TANK WHEN TANK IS EMPTY 45000 MILES TRANSMISSION CELLINOID FAILURE 28000 MILES AND 800000 MILES HEATER CONTROL MODULE 70000 MILES. INTAKE LEAK 80000 MILES. REAR WHEEL BEARING AND AXLE SEALS 100,000 MILES. OTHER THAN THAT GREAT CAR. IF FORD CARED ABOUT ITS CUSTOMER IT WOULD HAVE FIXED THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THEY HAD SIX FLAWS FROM DAY ONE OF PRODUCTION FROM 1990 ---- WHY FORD IF YOU HAD A REAL TRANSMISSION IT WOULD MAKE UP FOR ALL THE OTHER FAILURE BUILT INTO THIS CAR. YOU MAKE GREAT REAL TRUCKS LIKE THE F150 OTHER THAN THAT YOUR ENTIRE FLEET IS JUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10811045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesGarfield, NJCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SURGED FORWARD, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ARM AND HIP, HEAD, AND NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #10808207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 milesHomosassa, FL
AIR BAGS
I FINANCED THIS VEHICLE THRU 123 AUTO IN HOMOSASSA FL CITRUS COUNTY AND IT HAS A AIRBAG THAT IS NO GOOD AND NO HORN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND THEY WILL NOT FIX SO I AM CURRENTLY PAYING TO GET IT FIXED I WAS TOLD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS OFFICE TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP ME GET SOMETHING DONE BECAUSE IT IS NOT RIGHT
NHTSA complaint #10780744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 240,000 milesClaremont, NC
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING FOR NO REASON AND WANT GO OFF! HELP PLEASE
NHTSA complaint #10780612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesPoquoson, VA
AIR BAGS
AROUND 1015AM ON SATURDAY JULY 25, 2015, I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ATTACHING MY BOAT TRAILER TO THE HITCH. AFTER OPENING MY DRIVERS DOOR SEVERAL TIMES, CHECKING ON THE HITCH POSITION, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK, GOT OUT, SHUT THE DOOR, AND THEN HEARD A LOUD SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THE LEFT REAR SEAT AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING AND DID NOT SUFFER ANY SIDE IMPACT WHATSOEVER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT DUE TO THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION THAT IT COULD CREATE IF A DRIVER IS DRIVING AND IT INFLATES FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR GO OFF THE ROAD AND POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER CASES FILES ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM OF THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10743483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 194,000 milesShoemakersville, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO A SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THRU A FENCE AND INTO THE REAR OF A MOTOR HOME CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO FRACTURE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, NECK AND BACK PAINS FROM THE FAILURE. A POLICE INCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED TO A YARD UNTIL IT WOULD BE ABLE TO GET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.
NHTSA complaint #10735979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesLevittown, PACrashFire1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING ON PAVED HIGHWAY(CLEAR, DRY DAY) A HISSING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER PAVED HIGHWAY, THE HISSING NOISE INCREASED, THEN WAS FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, PRIOR TO ANY IMPACT. THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG CREATED A COMPROMISED OR VISIONARY IMPAIRMENT FROM MY WINDSHIELD'S FIELD OF VIEW, CAUSING ME TO HAVE IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER IMPACT OF FIRST VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED., THEN THERE WAS A SECONDARY IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION TO THE AIRBAG BRAKING MY NOSE, TWO PIECES OF SHRAPNEL WERE EJECTED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG, ONE HITTING ME IN THE LEFT SIDE MID CHEST/ABDOMEN, THE OTHER TO THE DISTAL PORTION OF MY LEFT FOREARM. THE PROJECTED SHRAPNEL TORE THROUGH A DOWN COAT, SWEATER AND TWO SHIRTS CAUSING INJURY AND 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO MY CHEST/ABDOMEN AND FOREARM. THE INJURIES OF THE OTHER VEHICLES INHABITANTS ARE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10726708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesMinneapolis, MNCrash
AIR BAGS
REAR ENDED SEMI THAT SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID . NO PASSENGER IN CAR. BASICALLY DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD. FORD SHOULD PAY! IS THERE ANY CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS? FIRST ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE. OWNED SINCE 2003!
NHTSA complaint #10692763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseboro, NCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN MINOR INJURIES AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST AND EYES INJURIES. NEITHER SET OF INJURIES REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 9/26/2017
NHTSA complaint #10690152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 248,368 milesBiloxi, MS
AIR BAGS
THERE WAS NO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2002. I WANT TO KNOW IF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WILL WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS DATABASE BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING THAT IS APPLICABLE. WE (WIFE AND MYSELF) HAVE ONLY THIS VEHICLE AND W WE WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10680965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrashFire1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TREES THEN WENT FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY CRASHING INTO SHRUBS, A FENCE, AND A BUILDING. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISE AND NECK AND HEAD INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10664567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Georgia, GACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 21, 2014. TWO OR MORE DEER'S RAN OUT IN FRONT OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND I RAN OFF THE ROAD HITTING A POLE. IT CRUSHED THE WHOLE FRONT END AND MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS AND I DID HAVE ON MY SEAT BELT BUT THE AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10631431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staley, NC
AIR BAGS
I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED AND I HAD THE LIGHT THAT COME ON IN MY DASH AND THEY SAID THAT MY SEAT BELT PRETENTIONER WAS GONE IN MY SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10598441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.