1998 Ford Explorer Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,959 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,086miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,086 miles. 28 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.
“August 18th 2010 1:30 pm pearland tx . A Ford Explorer 4 doors get hit it in the back by other vehicle will is in stop position; about 40/50 miles p/h. The front panel get broke, the stereo flu to the front hitting the driver. And the air bag do not open driver could be injured on the face and at the arms. Also the driver seat is broke in the back”
NHTSA complaint #10350478, filed 2010-08, 190,000 miles“The ABS light came on and stayed on while driving. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer determined that the module for the ABS and speed senor went out. The dealership also noticed the pins for the frontal air bags were never connected at the factory, rendering the air bags inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #10119038, filed 2005-05, 60,000 miles“The consumer was involved in an accident. The consumer was driving at approximately 45 MPH. Upon impact, the airbags failed to deploy. The consumer had to have the vehicle towed to her home. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #10105233, filed 2004-12, 100,000 miles“While driving 30 MPH the consumer was hit by another vehicle on the passenger's side. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled and two occupants sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10113364, filed 2005-04, 84,173 miles“Dt: contact stated that right after purchasing the vehicle he had replace the brakes, tires, fuel filter, the fuel injection was cleaned , the anti lock sensors where replaced, the windshield was replaced . The air bags are also deployed. While driving the vehicle it vibrates on the left side. He took the vehicle to a mechanic they put the vehicle on a rack trying to line the vehicle. It would not line up. They found that the ball joints bad, also the motor mounts are broken. The mechanic told him that the frame is bent beyond repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10142752, filed 2005-11, 90,000 milesAir 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 1998 Ford Explorer
696 complaintsVehicle speed control
281 complaintsEngine cooling
189 complaintsElectrical system
114 complaintsSuspension
111 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
108 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsBrakes
94 complaintsSeats
70 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
65 complaintsFuel system
63 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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