B1404 on 2020-2022 Ford Explorer: Driver Side Airbag Fault Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2020-2022 Ford EXPLORER

The sixth-generation Ford Explorer (and its platform mates, the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Bronco) is known for this specific issue. Ford has acknowledged a design or manufacturing problem in the connection between the main wiring harness and the side airbag module. The TSBs officially cite 'contamination and relative movement in the connection' as the cause. This isn't a random wiring failure; it's a pattern failure at a specific connector due to this movement and potential contamination, prompting Ford to issue multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) with a dedicated repair procedure that includes replacing both the connector and the airbag module.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Illuminated airbag warning light on the dashboard.
• FordPass App notification indicating a fault with the restraint system.
🎬 Watch: Troubleshooting intermittent airbag lights and FordPass app notifications.

Most Likely Causes

1. Faulty Side Airbag Wiring Connector 🔴 High Probability Ford TSBs 22-2190 and 21-2297 state this is a known issue caused by 'contamination and relative movement in the connection between the wiring harness and the side airbag'. The connector is located under or inside the driver's seat, and movement of the seat or occupants can stress the connection over time, leading to broken wires or poor pin contact.
   How to confirm: After confirming code B1404:13 with a scan tool like FORScan 🎬 Watch: How to use FORScan to diagnose and clear this code., a technician will inspect the yellow airbag connector (C367 or C337) for the driver's side seat airbag. In many cases, the purple wire in the pigtail is found to be broken right at the connector. Wiggling the connector or harness while monitoring the circuit resistance with a diagnostic tool can confirm the fault location.
   Typical fix: Per TSB 22-2190, the official fix is to replace the faulty connector with a service pigtail (splicing it into the harness) and also replace the side airbag module itself. 🎬 See this walkthrough on locating and removing the airbag module. Technicians must solder the new pigtail wires; using crimp connectors can introduce resistance issues and cause new codes to appear.
   Est. part cost: $30-$50 for the pigtail kit. The airbag module is significantly more.

Rare But Worth Checking

• Damaged wiring elsewhere in the harness: While the connector is the most common failure point, wires can also break or chafe inside the seat back or along the floor where the harness runs, causing an open circuit.
• Faulty Restraint Control Module (RCM): This is very rare. The module itself, often located under the center console, can fail, but all wiring and the airbag itself should be tested and ruled out before condemning the expensive RCM.
• Faulty Side Airbag Module: The airbag unit itself can have an internal open circuit. The TSB recommends replacing it along with the pigtail, suggesting it can also be a point of failure or is replaced to ensure a complete and lasting repair.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Confirm the airbag warning light is on.
2. Connect a diagnostic scan tool capable of reading SRS codes (like FORScan) to confirm B1404:13 is present.
3. Follow all safety procedures to depower the SRS system. This involves disconnecting the negative battery terminal and waiting for at least 1-5 minutes for the system's backup power to discharge.
4. Locate the driver's side airbag connector under the seat. It will be a distinct yellow color, a universal indicator for airbag system wiring.
5. Disconnect the connector and visually inspect both the harness side and the airbag pigtail for any obvious damage, corrosion, pushed-out pins, or broken wires. Pay close attention to the purple wire, which is frequently the culprit.
6. If no visible damage is found, follow the procedure in TSB 22-2190, which involves replacing the connector with the specified service pigtail.
7. The repair requires cutting the old connector off and soldering the new pigtail wires, ensuring proper connections with heat shrink tubing for insulation.
8. After the repair, clear the DTCs and repower the system by reconnecting the battery.
9. Cycle the ignition and verify that the airbag warning light turns off and the code does not return.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Side Airbag Connector Service Pigtail (OEM #BU2Z-14S411-BMA) — This is the specific part Ford calls for in TSB 22-2190 to repair the faulty connector that causes code B1404:13. Note: This part number has been superseded by BU2Z-14S411-BMB.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft
  OEM price range: $30-$50
  Aftermarket price range: $20-$40
• Left Side Airbag (OEM #LB5Z-78611D11-B) — The official TSB procedure recommends replacing the side airbag module along with the connector pigtail to ensure a complete repair and prevent recurrence.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft
  OEM price range: $150-$200

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• B1407:13 — This code is for the passenger side airbag deployment control circuit open. TSB 22-2190 mentions that both codes can appear, indicating the same connector issue may be present on both the driver and passenger sides.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• TSB 22-2190: Illuminated Airbag Warning Indicator With DTC B1404:13 And/Or B1407:13.
• TSB 21-2297: This is the earlier version of the bulletin, later superseded by TSB 22-2190 to include more model years.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB 22-2190: Ford issued this bulletin for 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator and 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles with an illuminated airbag light and DTC B1404:13 and/or B1407:13. It identifies the cause as 'contamination and relative movement in the connection between the wiring harness and the side airbag' and provides a procedure to replace the connector and airbag.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Driver Side Airbag Deployment Loop Resistance — expected: 1.44 to 3.52 ohms. Failure: A reading outside of this range will trigger a DTC. B1404:13 (Circuit Open) is set when resistance is higher than the desired range.
• Test Resistor for Diagnostics — expected: ~3 ohms. Failure: A technician can substitute a known-good resistor in place of the airbag to isolate the fault. If the code clears with the resistor installed, the fault is in the airbag module itself. If the code remains, the fault is in the wiring or RCM.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• B1404:13-08: This is a more detailed version of the code, often seen in FORScan. The ':13' indicates an open circuit, and the '-08' suffix provides additional manufacturer-specific status information, such as being an intermittent or previously set DTC. (see via FORScan or other advanced, Ford-capable diagnostic scan tools.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• FORScan: RCM Module Self-Test and DTC Reading — Used to read the specific B1404:13 code from the Restraint Control Module (RCM) to confirm the fault. It can also be used to clear the code after the repair is complete.
• FORScan: RCM Programming/Configuration — If the RCM itself is replaced, FORScan (with an extended license) can be used to download the vehicle's 'As-Built' data and program the new module to the vehicle's specific configuration.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Driver Side Airbag Connector — Under the driver's seat, connecting the main body harness to the seat harness. It is a distinct yellow connector.. This is the primary failure point identified in TSB 22-2190. The purple wire within this connector or its pigtail is the most common wire to break, causing the open circuit for code B1404:13.
• RCM (Restraint Control Module) — Typically located under the center console in the Ford Explorer.. This module monitors the airbag circuits. While rarely the cause, a fault in the RCM or its ground connection could theoretically cause this code. A proper diagnosis rules out the wiring and airbag before condemning the RCM.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Reddit user in r/FordExplorer (2020 Ford Explorer XLT) — Intermittent airbag light came on shortly after purchasing the vehicle, particularly after the passenger seat was adjusted.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initially booked a dealer appointment but did not attend.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The issue resolved itself temporarily, which is characteristic of an intermittent connection fault. The user noted it started after a passenger adjusted the seat, pointing to the known issue of wire strain at the under-seat connector.

OEM Part Supersession History

• BU2Z-14S411-BMA → BU2Z-14S411-BMB — Standard part number update/revision by Ford. The new part serves the same function.
  Heads up: The new part number, BU2Z-14S411-BMB, also replaces another part, WPT-1228. It is the correct service pigtail for this repair.