Safety Recall NHTSA · 98E020000 Reported July 28, 1998

Ford/air bag control switch

Ford Motor Company · Air Bags · 470 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
98E020000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Component
Air Bags
Vehicles Affected
470
Recall Type
Equipment
Report Received
July 28, 1998

Defect Summary

Equipment description: aftermarket air bag control switch kits, part nos. F8db - 14385, with the following suffixes: ea, fa, la, ma, va, and ta, can break if cycled frequently. these kits are specified for installation on taurus, sable, windstar, explorer, mountaineer, expedition, navigator, and ranger vehicles equipped with either driver or driver and front passenger air bags.

Corrective Action

Dealers will replace these switches with a revised switch.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 98E020000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Air Bags.

FAQ: Recall 98E020000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 98E020000?

NHTSA recall 98E020000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on July 28, 1998. It addresses: Ford/air bag control switch. The recall affects approximately 470 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 98E020000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.