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 Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My seat belt on my passenger side does not work half the time. My door locks do not work right. I can't get my window on the driver side to go up and down. I hit a tree going 55 miles an hour in my airbag did not even deploy. I'm lucky I'm still alive. The fenders rubbing up against my tire. Speed control is wrong. Whenever I'm going 55 miles an hour it says 57 actually I don't remember the correct date. But I'm sure it shows I know it was 2017. Somebody ran me off the road. My truck hit the tree and my airbag did not deploy. I'm lucky it didn't I guess because don't airbags have metal shards in them is what I was told
As I was merging onto the highway onto the on ramp like any other morning going to work I began to yield as there was traffic coming in my direction. As I began to yield my car flipped over as if someone purposely tilted the vehicle over. The air bags did not deploy the car rolled over onto my left arm and leg breaking my ankle and causing many other injuries and distress.
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
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.
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.
On September 17,1999 at approximately 45 miles per hour, I swerved to avoid hitting an on coming vehicle. Upon applying the brakes, the front and rear driverside tires blewout causing my vehicle to "rollover" several times. At "no time" did the airbags deploy. Upon arrival of the police, I was transported to a local hospital with "severe" head injuries. My truck was completely totaled. I have in my possesion pictures of the incident, including the tires and "no" airbags.( dot number: )
While driving under winter conditions, traveling at approximately 65 to 70 MPH, vehicle began to lose control. Right driver's side tire went into a ditch, and vehicle rolled 1 1/2 times. Driver's seat belt failed to lock up and preventing injury to driver. Please provide any additional information/attachments. Air bags failed to deploy during accident. Nlm
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.
Took seat belt to be repaired 3 or 4 times and ended up being ordered and wrecked before getting it replaced. Tire on right rear shredded and front right and left rear blewout. It was a rollover accident front to rear and side rollover and airbags didn't come out. My 5 1/2 year old daughter was thrown and killed in the wreck.( dot number: )
Two years ago vehicle was involved in frontal collision while driving a little over 25 MPH. Estimated damage was between $3500-$4000. Owner was concerned because dealership was not able to detect the cause, presently air bag light comes on and off, and owner is very concerned. There were 2 injuries.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,959 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Ford Explorer, though it has 9 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 Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 28 crashes, 0 fires and 30 injuries and 1 death 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.