Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 62 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 62, in the owner's own words
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T LATCH AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES SPORADICALLY. OCCASIONALLY FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP AND SOMETIMES IT GOES ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE TRIP, YET OTHER TIMES IT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY!
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR-BAGS ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE 2WD EXTENDED CAB SMALL PICKUP TRUCK. I AM AFRAID THEY'RE AIR DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. COULD YOU PLEASE INFORM ME WHAT I NEED TO DO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO *PM
TO BEGIN WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NEVER GO OFF WHEN EVER I TURNED THEM ON AND OFF. WHICH MADE ME WONDER WEATHER THEY WERE EVER REALLY OFF AND CONSIDERING YOU CAN'T FIT A CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT I HAD TO PUT IT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THEN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE TRUCK WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HERE RECENTLY SHE WAS DRIVING AND SOME ONE STOPPED HER TO TELL HER THAT SOMETHING FELL OFF THE TRUCK ABOUT 2 FOOT LONG. SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING SO I TOLD HER TO JUST TRY AND MAKE IT HOME AND I WOULD LOOK AT IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT SERIOUS. ONCE I STARTED LOOKING AT IT, A CANISTER HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF WHERE THE CANISTER WAS CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS SO ROTTED. SHE GOT THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN OCTOBER. I FEEL THAT THE DUDE THAT INSPECTED IT SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE FRAME ALMOST BROKE IN HALF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS TRUCK I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT PUT MONEY INTO IT.
AIRBAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WHEN I STOPPED QUICKLY. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR
CONSTANT PASSENGER AIRBAG ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON AND DEALER WILL NOT CORRECT ISSUE. CONCERNED DUE TO RECENT ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS ON PREVIOUS FORD RANGERS. *TR
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 .. *TR
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY SOMEONE WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE WAS TRAVELING AROUND 40 (ISH) MPH. SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
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. *TR
2001 FORD RANGER WET ROAD HYDROPLANNED STRIKING CONCRETE BARRIER DRIVER SIDE TWICE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
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. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH, SEATBELT BRUISING, BRUISED SHINS FROM HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD,, AS WELL AS TORN MUSCLES IN MY NECK ON EITHER SIDE OF MY LARYNX. ON AUGUST 1, 2008, I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG IN MY TRUCK. WERE THE CRASH EVEN MORE SERIOUS, THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MORE SEVERE OR EVEN FATAL INJURIES. AS OF NOW, I HAVE MANY MONTHS AND POSSIBLY YEARS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AHEAD OF ME. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HIGH SPEED FRONT END CRASH AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO. I BELIEVE MY INJURIES WOULD BE MUCH LESS SEVERE HAD THEY DEPLOYED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF SNOW. THE REAR WHEELS LOST TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A STIFF NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR BRUISES EVERYWHERE INCLUDING HER BACK, LEGS, AND WRISTS. SHE ALSO SUSTAINED A SEVERE BUMP ON HER BACK AND MINOR CUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE CONTACT IS ASSUMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS DESTROYED. HE WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING TO CHECK THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES THAT THE PASSENGER SHOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THAT MUCH BRUISING AND INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. DURING THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP, WHICH ALLOWED THE PASSENGER'S BODY TO JERK AROUND AND BECOME BRUISED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/09/09. *JB
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. INDICATING IT IS DEACTIVATED ACCORDING TO TOWN FORD DEALER IN REDWOOD CITY CA. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. VEHICLE IS 2001 FORD RANGER XLT 4 X 4. 5 YEARS OR 50 MILE WARRANTY WHICH I DO NOT FALL UNDER BECAUSE I DO NOT DRIVE MUCH, AND REGARDLESS OF MY LOW MILEAGE THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THIS DEFECT. THIS IS THE SECOND MAJOR DEFECT I HAVE FOUND ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN RECALL ON THE EGR SENSOR, WHICH APPEARED AT AROUND 36,000 MILES. BECAUSE I DRIVE RARELY IT DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL IT'S 7 YEAR AND AGAIN I WAS PENALIZED FOR "GOING GREEN", AND HAD TO PAY FOR THIS FULL REPAIR. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME TO FIND OUT IF THIS AIRBAG IS AN ACTUAL DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER DISCUSSION GROUPS MENTION THE FORD RANGER HAVING THE FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT AT EARLY MILEAGE. *TR
CONSUMER STATED AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY THEY DON'T TELL CUSTOMERS WHY OTHER PEOPLE TRADE THERE VEHICLES IN. *KB. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR THE CONSUMER AND HER SON WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRE RUNNING TO THE AIRBAG ON & OFF SWITCH KEPT BLOWING THE FUSE EVERY TIME THE GEARS WERE SWITCHED. THIS WIRE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE HEATER. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AND THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND MAJOR FACIAL LACERATIONS WERE RECEIVED ALTHOUGH, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. AFTER INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
IT HAD BEEN RAINING AND IT WAS SLUSHY OUT, MY TRUCK GOT PULLED BY SLUSH AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND BOUNCED OFF OF IT AND WOUND UP RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE INSIDE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY ONCE THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF, I THEN HAD AN ASTHMA ATTACK FROM THE POWDER THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAGS. HOW IRONIC THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS SHUT OFF YET IT STILL WENT OFF. ALSO WHEN MY TRUCK WENT IN THE SHOP TO BE FIXED I FOUND OUT THAT BOTH SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONERS HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE BOTH OF THEM HAD BROKE YET I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK WAS FIXED BY A FORD DEALER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIR BAG WENT OFF WHEN IT WAS SHUT OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE. I ASKED THE FORD DEALER WHY THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD WENT OFF AND WHY THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER HAD BROKE AND ALL THEY COULD TELL ME IS THEY DID NOT KNOW. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT ANSWER AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAD TO PAY DOUBLE OF WHAT IT WOULD HAVE COST ME TO REPLACE ONE AIR BAG AND ONE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2001 FORD RANGER CRASHED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT/ SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FORD M HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. T A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. ALSO, PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE TO VIEW.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT BACK, AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THE FUEL SAFETY CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT WORK BECAUSE HE COULD START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER. THE CONTACT WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, SLID INTO A CAR AT A GREEN LIGHT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE POLICE CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER RESULTING IN MULTIPLE BREAST CONTUSIONS. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE CONSUMER'S HEAD HAD ALREADY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM
DT: 2001 FORD RANGER. THERE IS AN AIR BAG ON AND OFF SWITCH THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK. IT MALFUNCTION, AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $400.00 TO CHECK THE WIRING. THE PART WILL THEN BE ORDERED BY FORD. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY SAID IT WOULD COST TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN AT LEAST 4 OR 5 OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK
DT: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 2003 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT 40 MPH . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE SEAT BELT BACK INTO ITS POSITION IT DID NOT RETRACT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE SPRINGS WERE WEAK AND THEY WOULD FAIL AGAIN IF REPLACED. *JB
DT: CONSUMER STATES: AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT. NO LIGHTS, NO FOR WARNING, NOTHING. *AK
2001 FORD RANGER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*MR *NM
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THEY WERE AT A DEAD STOP WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED.
MY TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END IMPACT WITH A SEMI AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR *SC *TC THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROAD AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS WERE RECALLED BY FORD WHICH MAY HAVE PLAYED A FACTOR IN THE SEAT BELTS NOT RESTRAINING HIM. (LAWYER ALBERT PINO ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER).*JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .