2001 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 7%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,740miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,740 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10130795, filed 2005-08, 71,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10038022, filed 2003-11, 35,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10058651, filed 2004-02, 58,740 miles“After starting vehicle air bag light would illuminate and remain on. Contacted the dealership, and mechanic indicated that problem could not be resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10040343, filed 2003-09, 47,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10088366, filed 2004-08Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 5 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 34 | 2% |
| 2016 | 99 | 4% |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 | 47 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 1% |
| 2012 | 27 | 3% |
| 2011 | 44 | 4% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 39 | 3% |
| 2003 | 50 | 4% |
| 2002 | 162 | 5% |
| 2001 | 28 | 7% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 97 | 7% |
| 1998 | 40 | 2% |
| 1997 | 27 | 2% |
| 1996 | 41 | 3% |
| 1995 | 27 | 3% |
| 1994 | 11 | 1% |
| 1993 | 5 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Explorer
62 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsSeats
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology