2001 Ford Ranger Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 12%of 515 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Ranger, 12% of the 515 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,600 miles. 46 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10343002, filed 2010-07, 159,000 miles“At fault driver turned left in front of me while I was driving approx. 40 mpr. I was unable to stop. Totaled the front end of my 2001 Ranger. I suffered broken kneecap and sternum. Airbags did not open. Ranger towed ..”
NHTSA complaint #10493549, filed 2013-01, 73,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258888, filed 2009-02, 69,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10045934, filed 2003-11, 35,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10061938, filed 2004-03, 15,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 11% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 196 | 83% |
| 2010 | 128 | 82% |
| 2009 | 144 | 85% |
| 2008 | 295 | 90% |
| 2007 | 236 | 87% |
| 2006 | 175 | 64% |
| 2005 | 132 | 46% |
| 2004 | 189 | 47% |
| 2003 | 25 | 10% |
| 2002 | 37 | 11% |
| 2001 | 62 | 12% |
| 2000 | 67 | 10% |
| 1999 | 79 | 10% |
| 1998 | 32 | 6% |
| 1997 | 22 | 5% |
| 1996 | 25 | 6% |
| 1995 | 18 | 6% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Ranger
112 complaintsSuspension
87 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsSeat belts
45 complaintsTires
39 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Ranger
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