2001 Ford Focus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 147about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,761 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 147 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Focus, 8% of the 1,761 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 102 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The front passenger side airbag malfunctioned in that it deployed without reason. I was driving (in motion) straight down a city road. It made an extremely loud noise that affected my hearing, expelled a lot of white powder that smelled bad, and tore up the side of the passenger seat. The airbag warning light went on.”
NHTSA complaint #10865523, filed 2016-05, 156,300 miles“I was driving my 2001 Ford Focus and for no reason the passenger seat side air bag went off. The loud noise scared me and I almost wreck the vehicle. My ears are still ringing from the loud blast from the air bag went off. I checked and found there are some pending law suites for this same occurrence in other 2001 Ford Focus. I feel the Ford motor co. Needs to look into this problem before someone get seriously hurt or killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10400647, filed 2011-05, 90,251 miles“On 5/2/15 during a collision where my client stuck another driver that failed to yield and ran a stop sign, the airbag inside my client's 2001 Ford Focus deployed. During its deployment it burned the right volar (inside) forearm of my client, causing a full thickness burn. She had to undergo surgical tangential excision of the burn and skin grafting, where they harvested the skin from her right thigh to her right volar forearm. The airbag is dangerous as it caused full thickness burn to her skin, for which she is still recovering.”
NHTSA complaint #10779719, filed 2015-09, 155,146 miles“(1) airbag warning light started flashing on for a little while then going out a few days before accident. (2) in stop and go traffic, airbags deployed without warning and without cause in turn causing me to release clutch and bump in to the car in front of me. Additionally airbag caused 2nd degree burns on my left wrist and sprained knuckles on right hand. (3) car is currently at autoway Ford for evaluation/repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10138376, filed 2005-10, 52,000 miles“Stopped in traffic for redlight, traffic started to move car in front of me stopped and I rear ended him causing airbags to deploy and smash windshield. When I exited the vehicle to my surprise there was no front end damage only a scuff mark on front bumper where my car went under the 1991 mercury grand marquis that I hit. Received a powder burn to my left hand from airbag deployment. Car that I hit had no damage. Insurance company thinks the vehicle will have to be totaled because air bags deployed. At he time of impact I was traveling between 5 and 10mph.”
NHTSA complaint #10496150, filed 2013-02, 139,600 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 2% |
| 2016 | 15 | 1% |
| 2015 | 18 | 2% |
| 2014 | 32 | 1% |
| 2013 | 26 | 1% |
| 2012 | 55 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 5% |
| 2010 | 12 | 4% |
| 2009 | 22 | 10% |
| 2008 | 26 | 10% |
| 2007 | 118 | 30% |
| 2006 | 40 | 20% |
| 2005 | 51 | 12% |
| 2004 | 24 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 5% |
| 2002 | 72 | 8% |
| 2001 | 147 | 8% |
| 2000 | 191 | 5% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Focus
496 complaintsFuel system
318 complaintsEngine cooling
243 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsSuspension
150 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
90 complaintsSteering
86 complaintsTires
74 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
66 complaintsVehicle speed control
66 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
59 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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