NHTSA Opens Probe Into 1,236,155 Ford Explorers Over Airbag Burns
NHTSA opened a preliminary probe on Nov. 6 into 1,236,155 Ford Explorers from 2021-2026 after reports of burns from side airbags. No recall has been issued.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary investigation into an estimated 1,236,155 Ford Explorer SUVs from model years 2021 to 2026 after reports of serious burns to front-seat occupants when a side airbag deployed. The investigation was opened on Nov. 6, according to Anadolu Agency and Autoblog.
The probe is not a recall. Ford has not been ordered to fix anything, and owners do not need to do anything because of the investigation itself.
What NHTSA is looking at
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 8 vehicle owner questionnaires and 4 Early Warning Reporting reports covering deaths and injuries. The reports describe burns after seat-mounted side airbags deployed in crashes. Drivers and front passengers were hurt, including law enforcement officers in Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles.
Excluding duplicate reports from Ford, NHTSA’s summary lists 11 separate incidents. Ten of them involved second- or third-degree burns that needed medical treatment. The summary does not point to any other seating position or any other front-row airbag as a source of burns.
The investigation is intended to assess the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the suspected defect, according to the report.
Why it matters for Explorer owners
The probe covers six model years of one of Ford’s best-selling SUVs, which is why the number of vehicles is above 1.2 million. A preliminary investigation is the first stage. NHTSA can later upgrade it, ask Ford for a recall, or close it without action. If a recall follows, Ford would notify owners by letter and repairs would be free.
Owners can check whether any recall covers their SUV by entering the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Anyone who has experienced an airbag injury or problem can also file a complaint with NHTSA.
Ford’s recall record
Autoblog reported that Ford issued 153 separate recalls affecting almost 13 million vehicles in 2025, a record for a calendar year that previously belonged to GM with 77 in 2014. In 2026 Ford announced 80 recalls through October, and NHTSA has now published 85 for the company. More than 14 million Ford vehicles are covered by at least one recall this year.
What comes next
NHTSA has not said when the preliminary investigation will end. If it finds a defect that presents a safety risk, a recall could follow. Autoblog said it will report back if that happens.
