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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 2
Average Mileage:
56,769 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Ford Explorer seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2014 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #20

Feb 182024

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both middle seat, air bag seat belts stopped working. The buckle will not click to lock on either seat belt. The dashboard shows an airbag light that just stays on. The car has not been hit or been in any accident at all. I understand there is a recall or soon to be a recall on other Ford Explorer 2014 vehicles, where the wiring is faulty for these air bag seat belts. The dealer said mine is not included. It is a safety failure.

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

problem #19

Feb 012024

Explorer

  • miles
My steering wheel is like using manual steering, it is very hard to turn it seems to get stuck in certain positions, easier in another spot when turning, then gets stuck again. It is very hard to turn, no lights on the dashboard, no error codes. This is a huge safety concern if I am driving and can no longer steer my vehicle safely. I see so many other complaining about this problem with 2014, why is there no recall? This is putting people at risk or crashing which could cause fatality! Secondly, my back seat belt doesn't work it will not latch any more, and I have seen so many complaints about that as well, but again Ford will not recall it. So I have a seat in my vehicle that cannot be used by anyone as it is a safety concern if there was an accident.

- Oxford, OH, USA

problem #18

Oct 182023

Explorer

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the second-row passenger-??s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repositioned. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the second-row driver-??s and passenger-??s side inflatable seat belt and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the second-row seat belt connector failed and produced codes: B141B, B140D, B141C. The contact was informed that the second-row seat belt wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B11. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

- Chatham, IL, USA

problem #17

Sep 072023

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbag light came on, had tested by local mechanic, informed left rear airbag and to take to dealer, dealer charged $252 to disagnose air bag in left rear shoulder strap. Since already replaced wiring harnesses under TSB 16-0001 back on 11/1/7/16 thought best to clean contacts of harness connectors and apply dielectric grease for an extra 1/2 labor for an addtitional $99 bringing the total to over $350. Both dealer and Ford refused to cover this repair. I am very dissapointed.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #16

Sep 302022

Explorer

  • miles
I have several issues that I have had with the ford explore. This is my second ford explore. The passenger air was not assemble correctly and now is coming apart. The seat belt on the driver sit gets stuck. The car door panels have come undone which is not typical with any other vehicle expect explore. The brakes on the car are difficult to use to the suspension issue. When I have taken my car to the dealer they have not been helpful. They won-€™t provide a temporary vehicle while my car is getting fix and that not acceptable. I need someone to help me with these issues at no cost. This is my second explore and I love my car but I hate that it has issues that were not fix from the moment the car was sold.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #15

Mar 012018

Explorer

  • miles
Airbag light keeps coming on due to faulty wiring, costs 600 to repair. This is second Ford car with this same issue. I was told problem was in back seats. No one ever uses back seats.

- Perkasie, PA, USA

problem #14

Feb 012021

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have a 2014 Ford Explorer Sport and the seatbelt is in a retracted position and is stuck. We had it into Ford and they were able to get it temporarily unstuck but it is stuck again. They priced the part and labor and it will be $415 to replace. We are over their safety warranty for mileage. They instructed us to reach out to you to help with escalating the situation to Ford. We cannot use that safety belt at all in its current condition. We have always had a carseat with latches in that position so since we have owned it the seatbelt has been used minimally. If you could escalate this situation to Ford for a resolution we would appreciate it. Thank you!

- Norton Shores, MI, USA

problem #13

Aug 132020

Explorer

  • 91,000 miles
The drivers side front seat belt is not catching. The dealership had to replace the female portion for it to work properly.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #12

Feb 132020

Explorer

  • 109,000 miles
Driver side rear seat belt will not pull out of retractor

- Lenoir, NC, USA

problem #11

Aug 032016

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
When driving the 2014 Explorer, coking over a hill and began braking. Car lost braking capability and began to speed down the hill, and crashed into a tree. One middle occupant on 2nd row came unbuckled and didn't survive. This has been an ongoing trial for 3 years and recently informed that no investigation has been performed on the vehicle other than the edr/cdr. No post vehicle inspection has been performed, no medical reports have been pulled. I have previously for 3 years inquired for help on this matter and have forwarded questions regarding information obtained. I know without a shadow of a doubt I am not liable for this accident and have worked for 3 years trying to obtain information on this vehicle. When I was coming down the hill the car seem to be increased in speed - the report does show that foot was on the brake the entire report and no gas was applied. I turned as far as I could with the wheel and the steering barely steered as well. I would like to save a life somewhere down the line as this has changed my life forever. The occupant on the 2nd row passed away that day from seat belt coming unattached. Medical reports show he was wearing a seatbelt. If there was someone willing to look into this - would be a life changing situation.

- Munford, TN, USA

problem #10

Aug 022019

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove into a very steep ditch. During the crash, the 3rd row passenger side seat belt malfunctioned and failed to secure the 7 year old passenger while seated in a booster. The passenger was projected forward making contact with the rear section of the 2nd row seat. The passenger sustained a severe injuries which included a concussion and a head avulsion. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 94,000.

- South Port, NC, USA

problem #9

Apr 222019

Explorer

  • 66,500 miles
Driver side seat belt buckle would not engage / lock. This became a problem every once in a while and then steadily got worse to the point the buckle would not engage / lock all together. Ford replaced under extended warranty (billed extended warranty coverage company for part and labor) - I believe this part should have been covered by Ford directly since it has to do with driver safety. Asked about this part being an issue on other Ford and was told it wasn't a known issue. I've owned dozens of cars and have never experienced this problem.

- Prosper, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 252019

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
Takatat recall?? I got in my car 1 morning to go to work and I couldn't get the male part of drivers seatbelt into the female part of seatbelt. My divers airbag seatbelt light has been on for 2 months. I cannot buckle drivers seatbelt into the female part of the seatbelt so when I am by myself I buckle driver seatbelt into passenger seatbelt. I called marshall Ford in O'fallon Missouri they told my I needed to pay $150 for them to put my car on the machine for them to figure out what sensor is bad. I cannot afford to pay $150 much less pay for the repairs. Please tell me if there is another fix. My car has never been in an accident. Help!

- Warrenton, MO, USA

problem #7

Dec 122018

Explorer

  • 59,813 miles
Airbag light came on when I turned the vehicle on and would not go off. Took into Ford to be diagnosed, was told it is the rear seat inflator control.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #6

Nov 042018

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact's vehicle suddenly crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash, the third row seat belts malfunctioned and caused the two children seated in the third row to jerk forward and slam into the back of the second row seats. The contact indicated that the child seated on the rear passenger side seat sustained lacerations to the nose and mouth and the child seated on the rear driver side seat sustained severe lacerations to the forehead. The children were both transported by ambulance to the hospital. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Martinez, GA, USA

problem #5

Oct 282018

Explorer

  • 62,000 miles
Air bag warning light came on. Brought in to heritage Ford modesto ca. Was diagnosed that the wire harnesses for the rear driver and passenger seats needed to be replaced. Was informed that it is not covered by any factory recall despite being a common defect and safety issue. Mileage at time of service 62,000 miles. Cost $565

- Ripon, CA, USA

problem #4

May 042018

Explorer

  • 99,852 miles
Exhibits an air bag warning light due to high resistance between rcm and second row inflatable seat belt circuit

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #3

Nov 182017

Explorer

  • 54,000 miles
Bought used, when I got it with only 54000 miles, one seat belt would go into the receiver but not clip in or stay in. A week after I bought it the seat belt on the other bucket seat all of a sudden jammed and the seat belt will not go in at all... could have been very dangerous if they had failed while driving.

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

problem #2

Aug 032016

Explorer

  • 45,000 miles
We were driving down a rural road beginning to slow down, when the car did not slow down, it.went at fullspeed while hitting the brakes. Then hitting a tree head on, causing a fatality. I did not.want the car destroyed, because I wanted a full investigation performed on the cause and the tps. I only received a blackbox info with limited info showing vehicle speed at crash. The only thing slowing vehicle was a ditch and the tree. Also driver side belt came unattatched as well as middle passenger. Only driver air bag and one.passenger airbag deployed.

- Ft. Mitchell, AL, USA

problem #1

Apr 222014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 2,222 miles
Complaint summary: Second row inflatable seat belt stuck in out position. Will not retract. Will not pull forward. Concern that this is a material flaw - seat belt is too thick and too pliable. Doubles over in the retractor and becomes non operational. Major risk of injury as this can happen while the seat belt is in use rendering the seat belt inoperable. This happens unbeknownst to the passenger who would not note the inoperability of the seat belt as it is visually behind the passenger and not in sight line. Vehicle manufactured in Chicago....updated08-28-14 updated 11/12/2014

- Dundas Ontario Canada, IL, USA

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