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Ford airbag recalls: which models and years keep coming back?
Side curtain airbags drive most of these thirteen Ford recalls: 2018 Escape, 2020 Escape and Transit, 2020 and 2021 Explorer with Lincoln Aviator, 2021 Mustang, and 2022 Maverick. The failure mode repeats — a component, diffuser, weld stud or fastener that detaches or was never properly tightened, so the bag deploys improperly. A second thread is inflator and propellant manufacturing: 2019-2020 Transit Connect and 2020 EcoSport frontal bags missing first-stage booster propellant, 2021 Mustang curtains charged with the wrong amount of gas, and 2025 Expedition and Navigator passenger bags that deploy with excessive force. Sensors cover the rest — front door side impact sensors on 2021 F-150, Expedition and Navigator plus 2022 Super Duty, and unsecured side impact sensors on 2021-2022 Bronco. Explorer, Mustang and Bronco each appear twice.
Warning signs to watch for
- In nearly every case there is no symptom at all — the defect only reveals itself when the airbag deploys in a crash
- On 2020 Explorer and Aviator, side airbag or seat back module fasteners that were never tightened may show up as a loose or rattling front seat back
- On 2021-2022 Bronco, side impact sensors that are not secured could allow an airbag to go off when it should not, with no warning beforehand
- None of these notices mentions an airbag warning light, so do not treat a dark dash as proof your vehicle is fine — check your VIN instead
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the thirteen recalls tells owners to stop driving or park outside, and Ford describes the vehicles as driving normally. The defect only matters in a crash, which is precisely why these are urgent rather than optional. Several went out first as interim letters warning of the risk before parts existed — the 2020 Escape and Transit, the 2021 Bronco passenger airbag and the 2021 Mustang curtains among them — with a second letter once the remedy was available. If you received an interim letter, keep driving but book the repair as soon as parts are announced.
What the free repair involves
Most repairs are outright replacement at no charge: side curtain, passenger, knee or driver airbag modules swapped out, sometimes for a redesigned part as on the 2022 Maverick. Two are inspections — dealers remove front seat back panels on 2020 Explorer and Aviator to verify fastener tightness, and inspect the Bronco's side impact sensor attachments, repairing as necessary. Front door impact sensors are replaced on the F-150, Expedition, Navigator and Super Duty.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 13 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-27 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Passenger Airbag Too Forceful | high |
| 2022-12-14 | Ford Bronco loose side crash sensors may misfire airbags | high |
| 2022-08-08 | Ford Maverick side-curtain airbags may not deploy correctly | high |
| 2022-02-16 | Ford Mustang passenger knee airbag may deploy improperly | high |
| 2021-12-16 | Ford Mustang: side curtain airbags may inflate improperly | high |
| 2021-11-24 | Ford Super Duty driver airbag cover may break apart | high |
| 2021-10-15 | Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs may have faulty side airbag sensors | high |
| 2021-10-01 | Ford Bronco passenger airbag may deploy improperly | high |
| 2021-08-23 | Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator side airbags may fail | high |
| 2020-12-17 | Ford EcoSport and Transit Connect airbags may not inflate | high |
| 2020-08-21 | Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator side airbag bolts may be loose | high |
| 2020-07-17 | Ford Escape and Transit side curtain airbags may not inflate | high |
| 2017-12-18 | Ford Escape side airbag part may fly loose | high |
Common questions
Why do these notices say my Ford 'fails to comply' with a federal standard?
Several of these airbags fall short of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 (occupant protection) or 226 (ejection mitigation). It means the airbag as built does not meet the legal performance requirement — not that it has already failed in your vehicle.
I got a letter but the dealer says there is no part yet. What now?
That is an interim notification, used on the 2020 Escape and Transit, 2021 Bronco and 2021 Mustang recalls. It warns you of the risk before the remedy exists. Ford sends a second letter when parts are available; the vehicle stays drivable meanwhile.
Which Ford models show up most often in these airbag recalls?
Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, Mustang and Bronco each appear in two separate recalls. Explorer and Aviator were hit for loose seat back fasteners in 2020 and detaching weld studs in 2021; Bronco for a passenger airbag vent and unsecured sensors.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.