FaultScore

1998 Ford Explorer airbag problems

41 of the 2,374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer are about the airbag system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,086 miles.

F

41

Complaints

29

Crashes

0

Fires

20

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 22 53.7%
Frontal 16 39.0%
Sensor/Control Module 2 4.9%
Side/Window 1 2.4%

Airbags across every Ford Explorer year

1994 11 1.1%
1995 31 3.1%
1996 45 4.5%
1997 27 2.7%
1998 41 4.1%
1999 101 10.2%
2000 70 7.0%
2001 28 2.8%
2002 164 16.5%
2003 50 5.0%
2004 39 3.9%
2005 15 1.5%
2007 12 1.2%
2011 44 4.4%
2012 27 2.7%
2013 18 1.8%
2014 47 4.7%
2015 84 8.4%
2016 99 9.9%
2017 32 3.2%
2018 10 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Leland, NC Crash

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #11287420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10680699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

1998 FORD EXPLORER VIN#[XXX] REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF NEVADA; ORIGINAL OWNER: [XXX]...REGISTERED BECAUSE OF DISABILITY REASONS TO WIFE [XXX]...WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ACCIDENT...RESULTING TO A TOTAL LOSS AT BAKER, CALIFORNIA BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BE TREADED...PUSHING THE CAR TO BE OUT OF CONTROL..WHILE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING...AND THE AIR BAG SAFETY FAILED TO DEVELOP (OPEN). I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBLE OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE WORKMANSHIP AND THE CAR DESIGN. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT: PRODUCT RECALL & LIABILITY. THE ACCIDENT REPORT# [XXX] NCIC#[XXX]. THE INJURED DRIVER [XXX]; PASSENGER AND THE PERMANENT DISABLED PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO BARSTOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. I NEED YOUR HELP IN REMOVING ALL 1998 FORD EXPLORER FROM THE ROAD; THIS CAR COULD CAUSE MAJOR & FATAL INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10373143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Pasadena, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pippa Passes, KY

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

WIPERS WORKS WHEN THEY WANT TOO. POWER WINDOWS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKS WHEN THEY WANT TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10344987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Victorville, CA

AIR BAGS

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Raleigh, NC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

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. *JB *SB

NHTSA complaint #10119038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,173 miles DES Moines, IA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10113364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Marion, OH Crash

AIR BAGS

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lathrop, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10101757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monee, IL Crash

AIR BAGS

AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *PH *TT

NHTSA complaint #10057256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE HEAD ON WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PREVENT THE CONSUMER'S CONTACT WITH THE SUN VISOR.

NHTSA complaint #10055327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoover, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.

NHTSA complaint #10044035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoover, AL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #10042404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilkes-Barre, PA

AIR BAGS

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED WHILE ACTIVATED ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY IN WASHINGTON D.C. TRAFFIC. THEN REALIZED THE HORN HAD FAILED AS WELL DAYS LATER. THE FORD DEALER SEEMS AWFUL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE NEED TO REPLACE A "CLOCK SPRING" IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #10032753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jasper, GA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 45MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baldwin Park, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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. *AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #8014661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Spring, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD AT 50 MPH DUE TO THE INSTABILITY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED OVER, FLIPPING LEFT TO RIGHT AND CRUSHING THE ROOF THAT CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANTS, ALSO UPON IMPACT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8005294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Springs, CA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES HAVING FRONTAL IMPACT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, LEAVING BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SERIOUSLY INJURED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8004651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lebonnon, PA

AIR BAGS

UPON DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER FOUND THAT AIR BAG CONTAINS CORN STARCH AND TALCOM POWDER. THIS MADE AIR BAGS UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

NHTSA complaint #8004472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

White Lake, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ROLLOVER ACCIDENT AT 35-40 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE HAD STARTED TO TWIST. THEN, STARTED TO SPIN SIDEWAYS, AND ROLLED OVER, LANDING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 5500.00. NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #8003244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A 45MPH ZONE. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND SLID INTO A DITCH WITH FRONT HITTING A TREE. FRONT DRIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. NO CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE WITH MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #8001107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manchester, NH Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A PHONE POLE AT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #895912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR THREE TIMES. DEALER SAYS THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM CODES RECORDED IN THE COMPUTER. DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG MONTORING SYSTEM ON THE SECOND VISIT.

NHTSA complaint #744301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Helena, AL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION, NEITHER TIME DID AIRBAGS DEPLOY. IN JULY 2000, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR, AND ON MARCH 13, 2001,VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE WALL.

NHTSA complaint #882928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesterfield, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.*AK AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #882473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Great Lakes, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35MPH & WAS HEADING SOUTH; AND OTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING EAST, WHEN IT PULLED OUT IN FRONT SUDDENLY AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE LEFT FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED CONCUSSION FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD DUE TO FAILURE OF AIR BAGS.

NHTSA complaint #872635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Travelersrest, SC Crash 3 injured 1 killed

AIR BAGS

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: )

NHTSA complaint #732151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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: )

NHTSA complaint #730053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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: )

NHTSA complaint #730053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1998 Ford Explorer report