Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving, a burning odor was present and the air bag deployed without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact was not aware if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a residence and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a tree and upon impact, all of the air bags deployed except for the front driver's side air bag. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The driver sustained neck and back injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.
In an attempt to avoid an chain reaction accident my husband, robert, veered off the road. Our 2001 Ford Explorer hit a tree, flipped over trapping him in the vehicle and the airbags failed to deploy. Thank god, he was not seriously injured, but the emotional trauma goes without saying. It is very upsetting to pay money for safety equipment only to have that equipment fail when you expect it to work.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact crashed into a telephone pole and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact sustained injuries to the jaw and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage 23,000.
Airbags did not deploy after front-end collision with speed of approx. 25-30 miles per hour. Resulting in cervical sprains to two passengers. Passengers were wearing seat bags. Vehicle was equipped with two air bags.
Airbag light on May 10, 2000 with 6133 miles. Air bag light on May 23, 2000. Airbag light on June 14, 2000 with 9040 miles. Airbag light on June 19, 2000 with 9395 miles. Air bag light. Had an accident which caused extensive damages to two vehicles and air bag light on again. Three different dealerships tried to fix the problem. Not one reported this information in to the Ford system called oasis. I do not feel safe to drive this vehicle and I feel as if I am getting no where in resolving this issue otherthan e-mailing everyone and letting them know of this situation and how the dealerships avoid issues and hide the facts !
I was in an accident where I rearended the in front of me the impact was so minor that there was no damage to either vehicle except that both of my air bags blew. I have an accident report and a estimate that clearly state no damage. On the web I found www.marketdrive.com/service/tsbs.asp that tells of 2001 Explorer problems #01110 passive restraint: air bag impact sensor. I have asked a few dealers of the imformation and they have no clue on what this is. Why did the bags blow at such a minor hit, will they go off if I bump a curb? I was by my self and happy that my wife was not in the other seat.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. He stated that the air bag light remained illuminated continuously and blinks when there is no passenger in the seat. The dealer will not diagnose the failure without the contact paying a fee. The light has been illuminated for approximately 2 weeks. The dealer also stated that the warranty expired and there were no related recalls. The failure mileage was 93000 and the current mileage was 94144. Updated 05/11/09. Updated 05/12/09.
Consumer complained about air bag problems. When the consumer closed the passengers door, the side air bag deployed while the vehicle was not running. Manufacturer was contacted and stated that they will call the dealership and then they will call consumer back. The incident occurred when the door was slammed by the consumer's daughter.
On two separate occasions I was involved in accidents that did damage to the front end of my Explorer. Both accidents were at speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour. One accident totaled the other vehicle involved. No other time did the airbags in my vehicle deploy. I don't feel this is a safe vehicle to continue driving my family in.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 7% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.