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 Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was involved in a high speed collision in my 2001 Ford Ranger 4x4 pickup on the morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2009. I was driving along a county road at 55 m.p.h. When a 2003 Ford Ranger suddenly made a left turn in front of me. I had the right of way as the other vehicle was stopped at a stop sign before deciding to turn. I could not avoid the other vehicle and struck its driver side door traveling approximately 50 - 55 m.p.h. With the front end of my vehicle. My airbag did not deploy, and I sustained severe whiplash, seatbelt bruising, bruised shins from hitting the bottom of the dashboard,, as well as torn muscles in my neck on either side of my larynx. On August 1, 2008, I went to the Ford dealership in my town to have a recall repair performed on the airbag in my truck. …
It had been raining and it was slushy out, my truck got pulled by slush and I hit a guard rail almost head on and bounced off of it and wound up right on the edge of the inside lane of the highway once the truck was stopped my airbags went off, I then had an asthma attack from the powder that came out of the air bags. How ironic that the passenger side air bag was shut off yet it still went off. Also when my truck went in the shop to be fixed I found out that both seatbelt pre-tensioners had to be replaced since both of them had broke yet I was the only one in the truck. This truck was fixed by a Ford dealer. I would like to know why the seat belt pre-tensioner on the passenger side broke and I would like to know why the air bag went off when it was shut off. I have pictures of the accident and the damage that was done. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle slid on a patch of snow. The rear wheels lost traction and the vehicle flipped over twice before crashing into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle struck a tree. The driver suffered bruised ribs on the left side and a stiff neck. The passenger sustained major bruises everywhere including her back, legs, and wrists. She also sustained a severe bump on her back and minor cuts. The vehicle was towed and is currently parked in the contact's driveway. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a mechanic or dealer. The contact is assuming that the vehicle is destroyed. He will wait until the spring to check the frame on the vehicle; however, he believes that the passenger should not have sustained that much bruising and injuries. …
Dt: the contact stated that someone was driving this vehicle and had an accident. The seat belt on the driver's side did not hold the contact back, and hit the steering wheel. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy until after driver hit steering wheel. He said the fuel safety cut off switch did not work because he could start the vehicle without hitting the circuit breaker. The contact was going about 35 MPH, slid into a car at a green light. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet. The contact was injured. The police came and a report was taken. Vehicle was totaled. Updated 11/29/2005 - the seat belt did not properly restrain the consumer resulting in multiple breast contusions. The air bag deployed after the consumer's head had already hit the steering wheel.
I was driving in the off road area of oceano dunes and went off a sand dune head first about 15 feet. The entire front end is smashed, I hit the steering wheel so hard it is bent. Neither the air bag nor the seat belt worked. I had taken the truck in for repair five different times because the air bag light would stay on for long periods of time. They said they had repaired it the last time but obviously they hadn't. I have called repeatedly since the accident, they keep promising to return my call but I get no response from them. First they wouldn't believe there was anything wrong and now they refuse to accept responsibility for the failure of their safety equipment to work. I wonder if any one is interested in a class action suit.
Traveling approx 68 MPH I swurved to avoid going off road.as I jerked the stirring wheel to my rt then back to my left I stepped on my brakes with a hard and consistant presssure,causing my front breaks lockup,which resulted in me losing control of my truck it !!spinning out of control I went only to come to rest after a frontal impact of approximately 55 to 60 mrh as well as a rear impact speed at this point unknown. Besides my front breaks locking up, neither my driver or passenger side air bags deployed.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55mph in normal conditions, the vehicle crashed and neither air bag deployed. The vehicle impacted another vehicle from behind and the front end of the contact's vehicle sustained damage. As a result, the contact's head crashed into the windshield and major facial lacerations were received although, the contact was wearing a seat belt. The police were present and a report was filed at the scene. After inspection, the vehicle will be repaired by the insurance company.
Dt: seat belt retractor failed on the consumers 2003 Ford explorer . The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and they said this happened all the time. The consumer was involved in a car accident and the air bags did not deploy at 40 MPH . The consumer had to manually place the seat belt back into its position it did not retract. The dealer informed the consumer the springs were weak and they would fail again if replaced.
While driving at 35 MPH consumer lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer was not sure whether he was wearing a seat belt or not. Consumer sustained facial injuries, and was rendered unconscious. Police did arrive on the scene, but no one was cited.
Was in a traffic accident yesterday in which a car ran a light and hit me almost head on. I was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger xlt. I was stopped waiting for the green light arrow to go. When the arrow changed I proceeded to turn. 1/2 into my turn I was hit at a speed of about 50 MPH. Problem was my airbag did not deploy.
Airbag complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Ranger, 12% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Ranger airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Ford Ranger, though it has 4 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 Ranger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 46 crashes, 0 fires and 37 injuries and 1 death 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.