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 Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was involved in a front and mostly side collision where my car was totaled. A couple of days before the accident my airbag light came on and then went off. I took the car (2001 Ford Taurus ses) to cowles Ford in woodbridge va. I was told the car was safe to drive and that the airbags would deploy properly if I were involved in an accident. I made an appointment to have the car looked at on 12/27/02. The accident happened before the appointment and only one side airbag deployed but not on the side I was on. I was driving, wearing my seatbelt the side airbag did not deploy. During the accident I was still thrown into the side of the car even thought my seatbelt was worn. I sustained some minor to serious injuries and am currently still being treated for these. I have contacted Ford motor company to report the problem so that this will not happen to someone else in the future. …
Car accident -- deer hit front passenger side -- damage to hood, light, small bar inside hood. Air bag did not deploy. I was informed that air bags do not deploy on all accidents. Car was totaled due to age and mileage on vehicle, but it ran well. Had all of the front end looked at to be sure that I could still operate it, so kept the vehicle. Feb. 10, 2014 I had gotten an oil change at walmart. Also had added coolant. I noticed on the Wednesday (2/12) that the car had smoke coming from under the hood when I parked the vehicle at the same walmart. Took it back to the automotive department the coolant level was completely gone and had to take it to an independent business to have a number of items replaced - water pump, oil gasket pan, new oil and coolant added and a few other things. …
I was attempting to make a left unto the street, and another vehicle came speeding down the road and didn't blow her horn or slow down when she saw me, and collided into my vehicle. The impact of the other vehicle pushed my car out into the middle of he street. I had my seat belt on. I had passenger in car with me. They had there seatbelt on too. Neither air bags opened. After the accident, I had to go to miss work because my back was hurting so bad. The very next day I got a ride to the emergency room because my back was hurting so severely. The dr. Diagnosed me with chronic back pain which was due from accident. I was prescribed 2 types of medication to take, and dr. Said I May have to see a specialist if no improvement. I have dr report and accident report upon request. I am still in pain.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while traveling an unknown speed, the drivers side and front passengers side air bags deployed without any warning. The contact mentioned that an unknown substance emitted from both air bags. The contact was able to merge the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for further diagnosis and inspection. The dealer indicated that codes were cleared. The module was sent to the manufacturer who later determined that there was no failure. The manufacturer stated that the legal analysis indicated that the supplemental restraint system was not defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact struck a guard rail. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. Prior to the failure, she never noticed any air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument control panel. The contact has pictures of the vehicle and a copy of the police report. She called the manufacturer and is waiting for a response. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were 110,700.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle was involved in a rear impact accident while the vehicle was in the parked on normal road conditions. The contact was wearing the seatbelt but still suffered major and permanent injuries. The fuel line did not shut off during the accident and the frontal driver and passenger airbags did not deploy. There were no warning signal prior to the accident. An police report was processed. Further examination of the vehicle was being done by the insurance agency.
Dt: the contact stated the front air bags did not deploy. He called Ford and told them he was hurt because the air bag did not deploy on 8-22-05 when h the contact's vehicle hit a something on the road. He was thrown around in the car a lot. Ford has not responded. The air bag light was on. The air bag light was not on prior to the accident. Prior to the accident on 8-22- 05 the contact's hit a raccoon while going approximately 70 MPH on 5-22-05, and the air bags did not deploy.
Dt: while driving 25 MPH the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash, vehicle wa st boned. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy correctly. The air bag came out of the side panel of the door and did not completely blow up. There was only one injury. The driver suffered whiplash from the crash. A police report was taken. The vehicle is a 2001 Ford Taurus wagon. Pictures of the vehicle were taken and are available for display. The contact has not called Ford.
The consumer loss control of the vehicle in a snow storm and skidded off the road and landed down an embankment. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The consumer reported the accident to the Ford motor company, and was told by a representative that it was not sufficient impact for the air bags to deploy. Consumer stated that he was injured, receiving 48 stitches and accumulating about 20,000 worth of medical bills.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While driving 25 to 30 MPH several deer ran in front of the vehicle causing him to lose control of the vehicle on a dirt road. The vehicle was crushed when it rolled over and it was also destroyed. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to his shoulder. There were no passengers in the vehicle. A police report is available. The failure mileage was 138,000. Updated 10/22/09.
NHTSA investigations
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Ford motor company has identified 260 reports alleging frontal air bag non-deployment for any (severity) frontal or near-frontal crash on model year 2000-2001 Ford taurus and Mercury sable vehicles.additional crash reports are contained in NHTSA's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the single odi report listed in the report summary is NHTSA's special crash investigation's case no.
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
This investigation identified a total of 427 reports alleging non-deployment of the frontal air bags.of the 427 reports, two incidents (fatal crashes) have been identified as severe frontal crashes in which the frontal air bags did not deploy.a defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of…
Airbag complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Taurus, 6% of the model year's 1,037 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Taurus airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Ford Taurus, though it has 9 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 Taurus airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 46 crashes, 0 fires and 42 injuries 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.