2001 Ford Taurus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,037 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Ford Taurus, 6% of the 1,037 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10578332, filed 2014-04, 157,000 miles“I had a severe t-bone type crash with a vehicle-not my fault as the other vehicle lost control and ended up in front of me-traveling approximately 45 to 50 MPH. On a local highway. Our airbags, neither drivers nor passengers, did not deploy nor did the shoulder harnesses keep us from being thrown forward. Only the fact that we braced ourselves kept both of us from being badly injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10047408, filed 2003-11, 36,500 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10008385, filed 2003-03, 21,200 miles“Dt: contact stated while driving vehicle at 60 MPH it hit a deer. This was a frontal impact. The air bags on neither side deployed. However, the air bag warning light stayed on. He took the vehicle to the dealership to have the warning light checked. They checked it. The dealership told the contact it was safe to drive the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10143482, filed 2005-11, 92,475 miles“While driving 35 MPH, the consumer's vehicle collided with another vehicle. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. The driver and passenger sustained major injuries and were transported to the hospital. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic was unable to resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10072230, filed 2004-07, 41,451 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 11 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 4% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% |
| 2004 | 21 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 47 | 3% |
| 2001 | 66 | 6% |
| 2000 | 88 | 7% |
| 1999 | 40 | 5% |
| 1998 | 39 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 5% |
| 1996 | 45 | 5% |
| 1995 | 55 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 4% |
| 1993 | 54 | 3% |
| 1992 | 49 | 7% |
| 1991 | 55 | 8% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Taurus
515 complaintsVehicle speed control
99 complaintsBrakes
97 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
39 complaintsBody and structure
38 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsTires
35 complaintsExterior lighting
29 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Taurus
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