Ford Expedition Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 362 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Ford Expedition across 29 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (59). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (27% of reports).
- 362air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 222mention a crash
- 197mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 98 of 362 complaints (27%)
- Bags deploy: mentioned in 52 of 362 complaints (14%)
- Seat belt: mentioned in 42 of 362 complaints (12%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 28 of 362 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 209 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 362 complaints, 222 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 197 an injury.
Ford Expedition air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Expedition | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2024 Expedition | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Expedition | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Expedition | 2 | 2% | 79,500 |
| 2021 Expedition | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Expedition | 9 | 2% | 57,968 |
| 2019 Expedition | 25 | 5% | 85,000 |
| 2018 Expedition | 5 | 1% | 42,279 |
| 2017 Expedition | 11 | 3% | 45,000 |
| 2016 Expedition | 5 | 2% | 86,000 |
| 2015 Expedition | 5 | 3% | 50,000 |
| 2014 Expedition | 7 | 10% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Expedition | 3 | 3% | 132,500 |
| 2012 Expedition | 3 | 3% | 9,311 |
| 2011 Expedition | 1 | 1% | 9,500 |
| 2010 Expedition | 3 | 5% | 118,998 |
| 2009 Expedition | 1 | 4% | 59,644 |
| 2008 Expedition | 4 | 3% | 99,983 |
| 2007 Expedition | 5 | 2% | 83,250 |
| 2006 Expedition | 16 | 5% | 95,266 |
| 2005 Expedition | 9 | 3% | 68,000 |
| 2004 Expedition | 46 | 15% | 87,000 |
| 2003 Expedition | 59 | 10% | 84,385 |
| 2002 Expedition | 16 | 5% | 41,000 |
| 2001 Expedition | 19 | 3% | 92,000 |
| 2000 Expedition | 35 | 4% | 83,000 |
| 1999 Expedition | 19 | 2% | 125,418 |
| 1998 Expedition | 20 | 2% | 85,815 |
| 1997 Expedition | 26 | 3% | 122,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.
Air bags:sensor:side impact; air bags:side/window
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Model years: 2008
Problem: Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' the driver air bag module may not have been properly assembled.
Risk: This condition may prevent the driver air bag from properly deploying and reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace your driver air bag module free of charge. The recall began on november 20, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Air bags:frontal
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. The inflator canister in the driver air bag module may have an inadequate weld near the igniter.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the driver air bag may not deploy as intended, potentially resulting in reduced occupant protection, or a burn injury.
Fix: Dealers will install a driver air bag module. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I was in a collision with another car. The brakes failed.\n Going over 3540 miles per hour, airbag and passenger side and drivers side neither one deployed.
Driving to pick up my son from school (in a school zone under 20 mph) while my daughter was in the back seat, we hear a loud noise sounded like a gun shot, I immediately pull over somewhere safe got out and checked the outside of my car, didnt notice anything so i opened the passenger side front…
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the driver airbag assembly on my 2020 Ford Expedition. The driver-side steering wheel airbag cover has split open along the factory tear seam to the point that the airbag material is exposed. There was no collision or airbag deployment associated…
My vehicles warning lamp came on 9/10/2026 and I'm honestly nervous to drive with that recall because it affects my driver seatbelt and airbags. At first, it was just a known recall but when it personally affected my vehicle being that my warning lamp came on, I called a ford dealership near me and…
On XXX, I experienced a serious safety incident involving my 2019 Ford Expedition, VIN [XXX]. My family and I were parked at a Loweâs with the vehicle running but completely stationary. I was in the driverâs seat wearing my seat belt. Without any collision or impact, there was a sudden loud pop…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Expeditions have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 362 owner complaints about air bags for the Ford Expedition. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Expedition air bags?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Ford Expedition?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 98 of 362 complaints, followed by “bags deploy” (52).
Other Ford Expedition problems
- Power Train problems (1,573)
- Electrical System problems (1,384)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,163)
- Engine problems (861)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (834)
- Tires problems (656)
- Suspension problems (542)
- Visibility problems (534)
See all Ford Expedition problems.