2016 Ford Explorer: airbag warning light

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · TX

I have an airbag light on as well as the 2nd row inflatable seatbelt has stopped working. I took it into the dealership and they said it was generating codes B141B and B141C. Ford issued a Customer satisfaction program 21B11 specifically to fix this problem in 2022 but it expired less than a year later. Now my air bag and my seatbelt don't work. Ford knows about the safety defect and their dealers are charging people to fix it ($2400 in this case) rather than stand behind the safety of their product and do the right thing. This is clearly a safety issue that Ford should be addressing yet they are trying to slide by and get their customers to pay for it. The car only has 49,000 miles on it.

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Airbags · NY

air bag light illumination on occasion, ford confirmed and suggested $1000 repair. seems like a safety issue that is a manufacturer defect. vehicle has been maintained and rear seat rarely used.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Airbags · TX

The rear seats in my 2016 ford explorer platinum have a know air bag issue that ford said is not a safety issue when addressed. It is a know issue by ford and they refuse to fix it because it is not under recall. The air bag light illuminate due to a worn or damaged connection to the rear inflatable seat belt connector which in turn will cause the rear airbags to not deploy during an accident.

Filed May 7, 2025 · KS

The active recall for the trim only includes the front two trim pillars. There are trim pillars down each window on this vehicle, making that a total of 8 pieces of trim for the windows. Driving down the highway my drivers side window trim pillar (which includes a lock panel with wiring) blew off and almost hit another vehicle that was passing me, while with my children, causing me to have to pull over multiple times and even try to find a back road home. There are so many Ford Explorers missing various pieces of trim from the window areas. I’ve been told by Ford mechanics that they all have cracking on the rear window trim pillars due to brackets so I am assuming those will fly off soon as well. Now I can’t drive on the highway to doctor’s appointments due to the safety issues of this vehicle. I cannot afford to keep forking thousands into this vehicle nor should I have to. Overall the whole Ford Explorer model should be rechecked. We purchased this car due to safety awards only to be dealing with very unsafe conditions. From pieces of the vehicle flying off down the road to air bag lights, etc. Please if you’re able, look into these other trim pieces on the car. Also the front piece of plastic running under the windshield is lifting and not sealed appropriately to the window causing a loose windshield, in addition the rubber going around the inside of the windshield is not sealed causing the rubber to lift and slap around on the vehicle. I have notified Ford of these issues and they directed me here. Thank you for your time.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Airbags · HI

Air Bag light on. Per Dealer service center diagnostics, driver side air bag module FB5Z*78043B13*AA defective. Module replaced, however air bag light on persists. Additional diagnostic determined that air bag clockspring component defective.

Filed Aug 12, 2024 · Airbags · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the failure was related to the front passenger's side seat and the second-row rear passenger's side seat. The mechanic plugged an unknown wiring; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 16, 2024 · Seat belts · 106,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt retractor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · 109,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat wiring harness plugs were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Airbags · 55,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, however, the failure had occurred three times. 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 approximately 55,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Airbags, Body · 104,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was windy sound coming from the front passenger's side door while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that there was water accumulated between the front driver's side door and the body of the vehicle, which caused water to pour inside the vehicle while opening the door. The contact also noticed that water was leaking from the driver's side of the windshield during inclement weather. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound while making a left turn. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Airbags · MN

2016 Ford Explorer. the air bag warning light was illuminated it was coming off and on and now stays on. took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired.

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Engine · AR

1. Component: Electronic throttle body 2. Our vehicle shut down (limp home mode) on the Interstate traveling at high speeds. We narrowly avoided catastrophic accident with other vehicles on the road. 3. The problem was confirmed at the dealership where it is currently being replaced at our expense of roughly $1,000.00 4. Only inspected by dealership (Crain ford little rock, ar) 5. No warning until the part failed. We received airbag light and service light during shut down on the interstate. I have called ford pleading with them for some assistance with this large bill, which is hard to deal with right before Christmas with 2 children. I was told that my VIN# was not effected even after ford posted a notice for 2016 ford explorers Electronic Throttle Body replacement. Ford customer service ended our call after stating that nothing can be done due to this not being a recall item yet. However I do have a 2016 Ford explorer that does have a ETB issue and I hope that my letter will help others before fatalities start adding up due to this unsafe part. I feel that we should have received a letter as soon as ford realized that my 2016 ford explorer could potentially have this issue. I realize that's not what large corporations practice especially when it would hurt profits, however we are dealing with human lives and families. I have included the ford campaign number for 2016 ford explorer ETB replacement for reference, I truly hope you are able to spare the lives of so many family's trusting safe passage in a 2016 ford explorer. campaign #16B32