6.6
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$401.00
Average Mileage:
64,048 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (7 reports)
- pull on the wire that goes to the seat belt (1 reports)
- reconnect seat belt cable harness (1 reports)
- unplug connections under seat and clean with contact cleaner (1 reports)
seat belts / air bags problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer airbag warning light is on
2008Aug 07
Explorer XLS
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
I have a 2002 ford explorer for 3 years. A year after getting my explorer I needed a transmission. Now its been ALMOST a year and the transmission is doing the same thing. My air bag light been on for over 2 years, I had it fixed and it came right back on. The company wanted me to pay again to fix it. *HELL NO. My o/d lght blinks off/on. That was so say fixed to when transmission was fixed.* YEAH RIGHT* Why it still comes on then. I also have a cracked panel on my rear window. That came out of no where. Then my ball & joints need to be repaired every since I got the explorer. The company I took it to also let me know that they been fixing alot of ball & joint on ford explorers. Ford needs to check on these problems cause we pay our hard earn money for this trucks. But its not like FORD really care. Its not ford problem once we get the suv of troubles (ford explorer). I think thats how ford think. I called the BBB because i'm not trying to spend anymore money on this ford explorer.
2003Jan 15
Explorer Limited 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 4,500 miles
This has happened so many times that it does not even bother me as much as it used to. My repair was made back just after buying new. After the warranty ran out they tried to sell me the seat belt tensioner at a cost of around $400.00 plus installation. Told them to shove it that I would just pull the bulb. Can't pull bulb but moved passenger seat and light went out. Cable that goes from under passenger seat is the culprit. Just jiggle it where it goes into seat belt, then restart car. Light is out. Comes on every time seat is moved to another position. Is it any wonder that American car companies are going belly-up.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Sep 13
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
My wonderful Explorer airbag light is on. Still. After the dealership ran tests, I was told that the driver's seatbelt locking mechanism-the thing that stops you from flying out the windshield when in an accident or hit the brakes hard- doesn't work. And oh-so sorry- but it's not covered under the warranty that you are paying for. That seems to happen quite a bit. Grrr.......
2007Jan 01
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I bought my 2002 Ford Explorer new. At ~56,000 the Airbag warning light came on. I took it to the dealer (my mechanic said it was a dealer item only). The Ford dealer ran a scan which cost $150. It showed "Needs Pretentioner Repair Kit installed" the cost was $650. I declined service. I looked on the internet and apparently there is a problem with the 2002 Explorer airbag sensor lighting up...
"In July 2001, Ford issued a special service message announcing that some air bagclockspring devices may produce noise when the steering wheel is turned full left or right.Ford was aware that some clocksprings may have been improperly installed.the improper installation may also cause an open circuit and the air bag warning light to illuminate.starting with vehicles produced in September 2001, Ford adding length to the clockspring wire to reduce the likelihood of damage from improper installation."
I called Ford 800 392-3673. The person told me there are other recalls involving the tailgate, but they would do nothing for the Airbag sensor and I would have to shoulder the $650 repair myself.
2008Jun 01
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
So the airbag light has been flashing/staying on for months. I don't think much of it...figure it's a fuse. When I have the in to replace the wheel bearing/hub prematurely (just like all other 02 explorers) I'm told the airbag wouldn't even work if I was in a crash right now. And with the wheel bearing problem it was very likely that my wheel could have literally fallen off while driving....and then no airbag... great! And this was my car of choice for my kids and I. So apparently Ford made the cable that connects the driver's seat belt to the airbag mechanism too short. They know this, they've had 1000's of explorers with this problem, but no freaking recall to let us know we are in danger. They lost a customer FOR LIFE!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Sep 18
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I was told by Ford this light indicated a bad Airbag module. Cost to repair: $600.00. I left the dealership and went to my independent mechanic, he did the repair for $354.00. The light went off and hopefully the airbags work$#@!!!?? Before I left the mechanics parking lot, the light was back on with a different code, this time "failed seat belt harness" My mechanic was lost, he said he had never even heard of that one. He told me it would require a tool to check the seatbelt receptacles and only ford had that tool. Now what??????
2007Oct 10
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
Air bag light came on soon after we bought this explorer used, with a warranty. We bought certified used and on the 110 point inspection list, the dealership said they fixed it. So I took it back in and they refused to fix. Flat out refused even at my cost. Next job for Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs.....Working at a Dealership.
2007Sep 04
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
I have seen a lot of cases of this happening to this model and I can't help but think this is a recall issue.
2007Jan 09
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
The light for the airbag is also a seatbelt sensor just under the driver seat.... there is a cable harness that runs under the floor to the seat belt. This is connected to the SRS system. The cable is too short. If you move the seat too far back the cable can disconnect alerting the warning light.
However, This deactivates the air bag. Ford issued Bulletin #03103 to dealers on this problem but will not issue a recall.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your seat belts / air bags problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Dec 29
Explorer XLT V6
looking at all the complants Ford should have issued a recall to correct this problem with the air bag light staying on. I had been driving with the light on for over 2 years. I had to have my vehicle inspected and got rejected due to the air bag light staying on. I was told it was my passenger seat belt tensioner and it could be fixed for $250.00. I decided to try disconneting the connections under the passenger seat and cleaning with contact cleaner put them back together and the light went out. I then drove back to the inspection garage and showed them that the air bag light was out and got a pass sticker on my vehicle. I feel this is a BIG safety issue that should be addressed since it means that the air bags will not deplore in an accident. COME ON FORD, admit you screwed up and fix the problem .
Karl H.
Madison Heights, VA, USA
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