1998 Ford Explorer safety record
Crash-test ratings, severity signals from owner complaints, fatal-crash involvement and safety recalls — all from official federal sources.
Not rated
NHTSA overall rating
181
complaints reporting a crash
102
complaints reporting fire
5
safety recall campaigns
Among NHTSA complaints for this model year, 133 report injuries (215 people injured, 16 deaths reported). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Fatal crash records (FARS 2020–2023). 1998 Ford Explorer vehicles were involved in 97 fatal crashes with 77 occupant deaths in federal crash records. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Crash- and fire-risk recalls
- Fire riskVehicle Speed Control · Oct 13, 2009
- Fire riskON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES… · Aug 1, 2006
- Crash riskON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT… · Aug 5, 2003