10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,270 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1999 Ford Contour seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1999 Ford Contour Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 262004

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have normal use on my car and on July 26, 2004 my air bag light and the emergency brake light came on. I read my owner's guide to see what the problem could be and it stated that if theses problems was to occur that I need it to be service by a qualified technician. I brought my vehicle in on July 27, 2004 to get it serviced. I informed Ford that I smelled a wire burning, and that I saw a little puff of smoke on July 26, 2004 that came from under my dash board. I was informed my the Ford dealership that they did 3 diagnostic test on it and they still could not figure out what the problem is with the airbag system. This is a safety problem that could have ended up deadly if I was to get into an accident because of the malfunctions in the car. As far as what is being done is beyond me because they still cannot figure out what the problem is, and what parts are going to be needed for the repairs on my car. I would like to matter to be investigated immediately before someone get hurt, and they don't have their air bag system nor emergency brake light system working.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #11

Jul 301999

Contour 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 15,000 miles
This is not an aesthetic complaint as classified by Ford Motor Corporation. Dashboard is peeling up from base of windshield and obstructing drivers view, defrost panel is now dislodged from dashboard and creating additional obstruction of driver's view and rendered non functional. The recession of the dashboard is now separating from the air bag deployment section of the dash. I purchased this vehicle new and have been the sole owner since its purchase in July 1999 and have been refused assistance. I contacted first the Ford dealership from which I purchased the vehicle and was told there was in fact a recall on this item and had since expired and was directed to call Ford Motor Corporation directly for further assistance. I was not notified of the recall. The three customer service representatives that I have spoken to over the past 24-30 months each confirmed the recall and noted 1) since it was classified as an aesthetic problem it had an expiration date attached it and 2) it was sent to the dealerships to expedite on vehicles that came in for scheduled maintenance visits. Again, I was not notified from either the dealership at the time of my service visits or Ford Motor Corporation when the recall was initiated. I have requested second opinions from outside sources that are Ford certified in body repair and each noted the ramifications of driving this vehicle without the manufacturer defect corrected is and not limited to a spontaneous deployment of the air bag and a result of a potentially fatal accident for the driver, passengers, and not excluding other drivers on the road that could inadvertently be involved. In my research of this situation I have found complaints of this nature with similar responses since 2001.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #10

Dec 292003

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
Driver fell asleep at the wheel while driving and hit a house pole then a telephone pole. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained head and back injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 072003

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbags did not deploy when rear ended. My car was pushed into intersection. Damage to car was bumper, had to replace mud guards and attaching hardware. Contacted Ford about my concern they said that the force probably wasn't great enough. Everyone I spoke with asked about the airbags and were suprised when they didn't deploy as the force was greater than 20 miles an hour.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #8

Jul 052003

Contour

  • miles
Several items first the dash bowed in from both sides, a month after picking the car up the air conditioner went out the dealership said my problem, the tires were bad we replaced them they are bad all the time have to be replaced more then a normal tire should, the car broke down last year on the highway again my problem the rotors and other things were bad somthing I as a consumer would not have known about, cannot get car inspected because the horn does not work and cannot be fixed due to airbag again my problem O yes was in a finder binder airbag did not work minor injries, the drivers seat rocks the rear seat belt will not work more problems this car is worth nothing I on;Y drive to and from work in it and the way it is falling apart youd think I travel across country in it...this is not a good car to ever purchase will never buy from Ford again!!! srb this prblems have been on going from 2000-2003.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #7

Apr 222003

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
The vehicle had poor gas mileage. The drivers window jammed. The rubber piece around the frame of the right side rear passenger's seat constantly came off. The shoulder harness on driver's side and in the rear seats twisted and jammed. The dashboard cover came loose. The radio operated poorly. The trunk latch often required multiple pulls to open the trunk. The air bag light intermittently came on. While driving there was a whining/grinding noise.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

problem #6

Feb 222003

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,235 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was in an accident and the seat belt on my three year old son's car seat came undone. It was the belt that goes from the car to the car seat. The car flipped and his seat went flying around in the car. The air bags never deployed when the car flipped and hit a dirt embankment.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #5

Jan 162003

Contour 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
While wearing my seat belt which I always check to be sure it is fastened I fell asleep at the wheel. I hit the left barrier and jerked the wheel. That is all I remember. When I woke up the car was upside down and I was laying on the roof on my stomach facing forward. The seat belt came unbuckled and the air bag did not deploy. It appears I was thrown into the empty passenger seat as it was broken. I am upset the belt came unbuckled. The car was a 1999 Ford Contour SE. I had no buckle problems in the past.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 052001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While another vehicle was backing out of a parking space, consumer attempted to use his horn, however it was inoperable, dealer stated the air bag assembly at the top of the steering column was the faulty part.

- Shively, KY, USA

problem #3

Dec 012001

Contour 4WD

  • miles
Windshield wipers will come on intermittently, and air bag light illuminates while driving, causing vehicle to stall and die. Dealer has been notified. Car was on fire which burned up fuse box.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #2

Apr 122001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Entire air bag system failed to deploy upon a full frontal impact. Consumer noted that Ford stated that vehicle's air bags are specified to deploy at 8 to 14 mph. Consumer cannot start vehicle until moving steering wheel up and down with the key in ignition. Consumer has contacted dealer. Seat belt failed also.

- Henderosn, NV, USA

problem #1

Jul 151999

Contour

  • miles
No deployment of air bag during vehicle collision, resulting in back injury to consumer. Mjs

- West Henri, NY, USA

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