2002 Ford Explorer air bags problems
162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 2002 Ford Explorer — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jul 20, 2026
“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…”
filed Jun 14, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Air Bags problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 Explorer | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 Explorer | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 Explorer | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 Explorer | 4 | 0% |
| 2019 Explorer | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Explorer | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 Explorer | 32 | 2% |
| 2016 Explorer | 99 | 4% |
| 2015 Explorer | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 Explorer | 47 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.