1998 Ford F-150 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,381 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 165,568miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford F-150, 3% of the 1,381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 165,568 miles. 30 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had just turned off interstate 287 onto intervale road (a local road). I was approaching an intersection with a very sharp left hand curve. As I proceeded to enter the curve I had no steering. The steering wheel would turn, but the vehicle did not respond. This happened without any warning or noise. I attempted to brake, but there was loose sand and gravel and I ended up sliding into a utility pole straight ahead, without airbag deployment and only minor damage to the right front side of the vehicle. I was secured by the seat belt, but my head struck the sun visor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179543, filed 2007-01, 162,224 miles“Both front seat air bags deployed while traveling down the highway. There was no collision. Horn came on, white substance throughout the cab of the truck, had to get out, thumb was hurt but not broken. I had to cut into the inflatable air bags and disengage the horn and drove the vehicle home.”
NHTSA complaint #11047552, filed 2017-11, 194,000 miles“Vehicle was involved in a frontal and a side collision of an impact of 55 MPH . Upon impact, neither frontal air bag deployed. Driver sustained injuries, and was transported to the local hospital for tests. Dealer was not notified.”
NHTSA complaint #10094619, filed 2004-09, 150,000 miles“While driving at 25 MPH , vehicle was in frontal collision, and the bumper was pushed into the frame of the vehicle, but none of the airbags deployed upon impact. Please provide more details. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10001453, filed 2002-12, 55,000 miles“I was involved in a single car accident on sunday ,9 may 1999 while trying to avoid an accident with another vehicle. I impacted a telephone pole at approximately 35 miles an hour and neither air bag deployed. I wanted to know if this is normal or a valid complaint. Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #706456, filed 1999-05Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 0% |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 38 | 2% |
| 2017 | 23 | 2% |
| 2016 | 36 | 2% |
| 2015 | 35 | 2% |
| 2014 | 31 | 2% |
| 2013 | 39 | 1% |
| 2012 | 37 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 27 | 6% |
| 2006 | 48 | 8% |
| 2005 | 101 | 9% |
| 2004 | 85 | 4% |
| 2003 | 29 | 7% |
| 2002 | 35 | 4% |
| 2001 | 66 | 5% |
| 2000 | 69 | 6% |
| 1999 | 69 | 7% |
| 1998 | 42 | 3% |
| 1997 | 99 | 4% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 35 | 6% |
| 1994 | 94 | 14% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 4 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford F-150
201 complaintsEngine cooling
174 complaintsTires
152 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsSuspension
132 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsBrakes
114 complaintsSteering
96 complaintsElectrical system
87 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
83 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
66 complaintsWheels
44 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford F-150
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