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 F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH there was a frontal impact with another vehicle and the driver side front airbag did not deploy. The contact's head hit the windshield and the contact's face hit the steering wheel. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The contact was hospitalized. A police report was taken.
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.
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.
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. Police at the scene examined the vehicle and confirmed loss of steering. Subsequent investigation by the shop to which my truck was towed revealed that the sector shaft was broken where the pitman arm is attached. After further investigation I was told that this part should never fail in a vehicle, regardless of mileage. …
I was involved in a traffic accident where as I was injured by the deployment of the drivers side air bag upon deployment of said device. Whe it was deployed the cover part hit my right forearm causing it to have a large knot on it and instant swelling to the point I had to be taken to the hospital for exrays to see if it was broken, which it wasn't. When the airbag was deployed the actual airbag did not come straight out towards me instead it went out side ways never even touching me. I caloled Ford customer relations and they told me that ws nothing they could do and to contact my insurance company. I was not looking for anything I just wanted them to check into the matter but I just got the runaround. I feel that there is a problem with the deployment of the airbag and it should be investigated. Thank you for your time and I hope something will be done about it.
Tl* the contact was the passenger in a 1998 Ford f150 king cab that was involved in a head on collision,the vehicle struck a tree. The owner was driving 65 MPH. The road conditions were not a factor. The passenger side air bags did not deploy, and the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated that six people were injured in the crash. The contact has a police report.
The ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to "slide" through and extended stopping distance which resulted in an accident at 30 MPH. The vehicle "slid" through and rearend another vehicle. Upon impact, the driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy. Did not protect the occupant in this accident. Dealer cannot determine problem.
Truck was involved in a crash traveling at 60 MPH, and there was no deployment of the driver's or passenger's side air bags. The crash involved the front left side of the truck. Damages totalled $7,000.00. Truck has not been repaired. Manufacturer has been contacted about the problem. Please provide any further details.
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.
Was driving vehicle at 20 MPH and had an accident, hit an oil truck. Upon impact, driver's side wire from air bag sensor was severed. Air bags failed to deploy. Front suffered extensive damage, and driver sustained a broken leg and lacerations across forehead.
Airbag complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford F-150, 3% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Ford F-150, though it has 8 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 F-150 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 169,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 30 crashes, 1 fire and 22 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.