1999 Ford Explorer Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

63Air Bags complaints

4.7%Of all 1,348 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

TIRES212 · 15.7%

TIRES:TREAD/BELT166 · 12.3%

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER106 · 7.9%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL92 · 6.8%

AIR BAGS63 · 4.7%

Share of the 1,348 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1999 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“IN JAN, 1999 I RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION FOR INSTALLATION OF AN ON-OFF SWITCH FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG. I FOUND AN AUTO SHOP WHO WILL INSTALL THE…”NHTSA complaint 709857 — filed 08/11/1999

“1ST. TIME FORD TOOK A WEEK AND A HALF TO SEND A SENSOR, 2ND TIME THEY SENT A (RCM) COMPUTOR MODULE, 3RD TIME STILL WAITING…”NHTSA complaint 709411 — filed 07/30/1999

“THE AIR BAG MODULE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD IT ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. INFORMED CONSUMER NO AIR BAGS IN…”NHTSA complaint 841180 — filed 06/25/1999

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Ford Explorer have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 1999 Ford Explorer: 63 of 1,348 complaints on file (4.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1999 Ford Explorer have in total?

1,348 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 115 involved a crash, 44 involved a fire, 124 reported injuries, and 4 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.