Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Ford Expedition. While driving 55 MPH in inclement weather, the contact lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, shoulder, and hip injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his vehicle head on at approximately 50 MPH. The air bags did not deploy. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the lower back and chest, and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The vehicle was towed and declared destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 35 MPH and neither frontal air bag deploy. No injuries was reported at this time and the dealer was notified. The consumer stated that she is experiencing some on going ligament and nerve damage in her back and neck.
Vehicle was driven at 70 MPH when consumer lost control and rear ended another vehicle. Driver side air bags did not deploy. Seat belts were worn at the time. The consumer suffered minor injuries.
While key was in ignition, but engine was not running, a child knocked gear shift lever out of the park gear which allowed vehicle to start rolling in reverse. Vehicle rolled backwards approximately 30 feet, and then started moving forward for an approximate distance of 150 feet. Vehicle crashed into a tree, causing both frontal air bags to deploy from which child sustained minor injuries. Dealership has not examined vehicle. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
Consumer was sitting in a drive-thru and had put vehicle in park when it experienced sudden acceleration, consumer states it started shaking and making a loud squealing noise, the brakes did not work and vehicle crashed into a concrete guard post, the airbags did not deploy, consumer suffered a mild concussion, Ford states they can not find any cause for the problem and can not help consumer any further.
While driving down the road at approximately 40mph another came out in front. Consumer swerved to avoid hitting the other vehicle head-on, but hit the rear bumper. In the process, applied brakes to stop, but hit the other vehicle. Vehicle was on top of hood and spun around, winding up in a ditch.consumer was throwen into the steering wheel. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy.contacted the dealer.
While driving 35 MPH on a sheet of ice vehicle lost control and slid into a guardrail. Upon a frontal impact, driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, whichnot protecting the occupants. Also, driver's seatbelt did not retract, which did not hold the occupant in seat, and causing occupant to sustain injuries. Please provide further information.
Consumer was stopped at a stop sign with 2 vehicles in front, consumer was 20 feet from car in front. Consumer noticed something white in rear mirror, and within seconds, consumer was rear ended at about 40 MPH by other vehicle. None of airbags dployed. If consumer didn't have a seat belt on would have been knocked through window.
Interrior light fails to go off, even with vehicle running. On one instance, it began flashing. This was very distracting and dangerous as it was at night. I was only able to turn the interior light off by pulling the relay. This is a known issue with 1999-2000 expeditions, but apparently it affects 1998 vehicles as well.
Airbag complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 2% of the model year's 836 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Expedition airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Ford Expedition, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Expedition airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.