MyCarTSB

1996 Ford Explorer Airbags Problems

37 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

37
Complaints
32
Crashes
Jan 2001Dec 1996
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (37)

criticalAIR BAGS,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CrashFiled: May 2017

While driving at 25-30 mph on a city street, your front driver's side tire failed, causing your steering wheel to lock up. Your vehicle hit a curb and flipped over 15-16 times. Despite wearing your seatbelt, your airbags did not deploy during the crash. Your vehicle was completely destroyed in the incident.

NHTSA #: 10984405
mediumAIR BAGS,TIRES
CrashFiled: Sep 2009

ON 8 AUG 09, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE GOING NORTH ON I95 AT EXIT 132 NEAR ROCKY MOUNT, NC. MY SUV FLIPPED OVER A FEW TIMES AND MY DAUGHTER AND I ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN LOOKING AT THE TRAFFIC. I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10283021
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2008

1996 FORD EXPLORER, 4X4. DRIVING IN DESERT WENT OVER A BUMP A LITTLE FAST, WHICH SET OFF MY AIRBAGS. MY RIDER IS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BROKEN NOSE, CHEEK AND SOME KIND OF SMOKE INHALATION. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN BECAUSE THE BAG HIT THE MIRROR WHICH THEN HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MY STEERING WHEEL IS DESTROYED, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORNS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE AIRBAGS OUT. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT WHAT THE AIRBAGS DID. I WANT THIS ALL FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 10 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT; RECALLED TIRES, STEERING BARS AND BRAKES (ALL RECALL). *TR

NHTSA #: 10215325
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF HIS AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE FRONT END. *TT

NHTSA #: 10124524
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
CrashFiled: Oct 2004

BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER IN 1996, NEW. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB REGARDING PROBLEMS. NOTHING WAS ACHIEVED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES TO MYSELF. BROKEN NECK (C-2, TBI TRAMIC BRAIN INJURY AND BROKEN BONES. I BELEIVE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT, ROOF STABILITY AND AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION CAUSED MY INJURIES. THE DRIVER AND OTHER OCCUPANT RECEIVED NO SERIOUS INJURIES. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE NUMEROUS LAW SUITS AGAINIST FORD MOTOR CO. *AK

NHTSA #: 10093592
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND TO ROLL OVER. CONSUMER STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. *LA THE VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED A TOTAL LOSS. *SC

NHTSA #: 10074417
mediumAIR BAGS,TIRES
CrashFiled: Mar 2004

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE AND ROLL ONCE. VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA #: 10061258
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 45 MPH, CONSUMER RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO ONE WAS HURT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8017134
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Apr 2002

I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON 4/16/02 AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CROSSED MY PATH. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAG INFLATE? I HAVE SEVERE BRUSING AND CONTUSIONS ON MY CHEST AS A RESULT OF BEING THRUSTED FOREWARD HITTING THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK

NHTSA #: 761196
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,TIRES
CrashFiled: Mar 2002

VEHICLE WAS GOING 30-35MPH AND FLIPPED OVER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK, LEAVING CONSUMER IN A UPSIDE DOWN POSITION. CONSUMER USED A SCREW DRIVER TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. SEAT BELT PART# TRW TC077. *AK THE AIR BAG ALSO FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CAUSE FOR LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS DUE TO THE TIRE WHICH ROLLED OFF FROM THE SAFETY RIM. *YH

NHTSA #: 8005352
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Dec 2001

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLL. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.(SISTER ON BEHALF OF DECEASED BROTHER) *YH

NHTSA #: 563868
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Dec 2001

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLL. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.(SISTER ON BEHALF OF DECEASED BROTHER) *YH

NHTSA #: 563868
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Dec 2001

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLL. DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME LOOSE. THE DRIVER DIED INSTANTLY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY.(SISTER ON BEHALF OF DECEASED BROTHER) *YH

NHTSA #: 563868
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Oct 2001

ON 09/23/01 MY 24YR. OLD SONINLAW WAS KILLED WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND HIT A MEIDIAN AND TREE WAS ON TWO TIRES THEN WENT 30FT THRU THE AIR BEFORE THE EXPLORER HE WAS DRIVING ROLLED AND THREW HIM OUT THE DRIVER WINDOW. HE WAS WEARING SEAT BELT WHICH HE HAD HAD TROUBLE WITH SINCE PURCHASE FAILED AND HE WAS EJECTED ALSO HIS BROTHER IN PASSENGER SIDE COULDNT GET HIS BELT TO LATCH BUT HE WAS LUCKY AND WALKED AWAY. THE TRUCK WAS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES WHICH DIDNT DEPLOY EITHER. MY SON IN LAW DIED THAT NIGHT WHEN HE WAS EJECTED AND THE TRUCK LANDED ON HALF OF HIS FACE. HE LEFT BEHIND A WIFE AND 2SONS AND A 1 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. THESE EXPLORERS ARE DEATH TRAPS PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE ONE.*AK

NHTSA #: 752765
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jul 2001

THE FORD EXPLORER WAS HIT ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FRONT RIGHT SECTION WHICH PUSHED THE CAR LEFT THE CAR WAS THEN BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER CAR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDED DOOR FLEW OPEN IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT MY SON HAD ON HIS SEATBELT SO HE WOULD NOT BE THROWN FORM THE CAR, BUT WITH THE DOOR FLYING OPEN HIS ARM, LEG OR HEAD COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERILY DAMAGED IF IT HAD BEEN IN THE WAY WHEN THE DOOR FLOEW BACK TO CLOSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER, IT SEEMS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SINCE THE BOTH HITS WERE AT SPEEDS OF APPROX. 55 MPH. *AK

NHTSA #: 749277
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2001

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA #: 889887
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: May 2001

DURING A SPIN OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, A 1998 FORD EXPLORER IMPACTED A CONCRETE DIVIDER ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND TIPPED OVER ONTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO MAINTENANCE HAS EVER BEEN DONE ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, NOR HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA #: 745719
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED A STOP SIGN AND CONSUMER STRUCK OTHER VEHICLE IN MIDDLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED, BUT NEITHER OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

NHTSA #: 883563
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 2001

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, HIT IN REAR BY CAR TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, CAR PUSHED FORWARD INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THIRD CAR PUSHED INTO FOURTH, FOURTH INTO FIFTH, AND FIFTH INTO SIXTH CAR. FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS DESTROYED, SIGNIFICANT FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA #: 738944
mediumAIR BAGS,TIRES
CrashFiled: Sep 2000

DRIVING 65MPH & HEARD A THUMPING NOISE AGAINST VEHICLE. IT STARTED TO FISHTAIL. DRIVER LOST CONTROL. IT VEERED HARD TO RIGHT & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT , AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WENT TO RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD & THEN FLIPPED & ROLLED OVER TWICE. VEHICLE LANDED ON ITS ROOF. LEFT REAR TIRE HAD ITS TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF. HAVE THE TIRE & TREAD. ALSO HAVE COPY OF POLICE REPORT. VEHICLE REGISTERED IN TEXAS, BUT PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX, P235/75R15 DOT VDHL WITH 46,000 MILES ON THEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 870171
mediumAIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: May 2000

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE CRUISE CONTROL STICKING/THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM ACCELERATION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURY TO CONSUMER. *MJS

NHTSA #: 552159
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 1999

THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOY EVEN WITH THE TOTAL LOST OF THE EXPLORER IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLITION WITH ANOTHER CAR AT ABOUT 35MPH PLEASE INVESTIGATE SO OTHER PEOPLE DOES NOT GET INJURED THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION TO THIS MATTER

NHTSA #: 713212
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 1999

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK

NHTSA #: 840426
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Apr 1999

ON ICY SURFACE WITH TEMPERATURE OF 30F, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND VEERED INTO A GUARD RAIL ON MEDIAN, BOUNCED OFF AND HIT GUARDRAIL ON SIDE OF ROAD HEAD_ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DRPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY. *AK

NHTSA #: 836732
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50MPH,ON DRY PAVEMENT, VEHICLE HIT LARGE TREE, FRONTAL IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NO WARRANTY. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 833582
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 1998

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

NHTSA #: 604939
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 1998

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPEED LIMIT 45MPH, VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVERS SIDE, FRONT HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS STRUCK AND DAMAGED, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY COLLISION REPAIR COMPANY. *AK

NHTSA #: 823732
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 1998

CONSUMER AND FAMILY WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN AFTER BEING STRUCK TWICE IN THE COLLISION- THERE WERE 2 INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA #: 820052
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Sep 1997

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA #: 816493
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Sep 1997

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. DUP OF 816493, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK

NHTSA #: 816460
mediumAIR BAGS,WHEELS
CrashFiled: Aug 1997

DRIVER HEAR STRANGE RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE THEN WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF STEERING. VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK REAR OF A PARKED VEHICLE. THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF DUE TO A BROKEN UPPER CONTROL ARM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA #: 515702
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jul 1997

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY.

NHTSA #: 518228
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Mar 1997

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 515702
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Mar 1997

CONSUMER WAS IN 35MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA #: 810069
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Dec 1996

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURIES.

NHTSA #: 513324
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Dec 1996

DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END COLLISION, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE HEAD-ON; SPEED 15 MPH, VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA #: 806267
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Aug 1996

11:00 POSITION, WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS FLOPPED OUT WITH OUT ANY INFLATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 800980

Other 1996 Ford Explorer Issues