U.S. Probes 1.2 Million Ford Explorers Over Reports of Airbag Burns

U.S. auto safety regulators have opened a preliminary evaluation into more than 1.2 million Ford vehicles following reports of serious burns linked to seat-mounted side airbag deployments.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it had received eight complaints and four early warning reports concerning certain 2021-2026 Ford Explorer vehicles.

The reports described second- and third-degree burns suffered by drivers, front-seat passengers and some law enforcement officers in Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles after side airbags deployed.

Side airbags are designed to protect occupants in certain crashes. The investigation will examine the reported injury issue in the affected vehicles.

A preliminary evaluation is an investigation, not a new recall order. The announcement does not establish that all Explorers in the covered population have a defect.