101 of the
1,189 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour are about the
airbag system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
89,714 miles.
MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS THREE SAFETY RECALLS. HOWEVER, I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME GETTING FORD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLS ARE: (A) 01S22 - HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR, (B) 99S14 - HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND (C) 99S23 - FRONT CRASH SENSORS. PRESENTLY MY AIRBAGS ARE OFFLINE AND OFFER NO CRASH PROTECTION. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED (BASICALLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR - THE SELLER DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED TO ME). THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE PERHAPS BURNING. SO NOW I DON'T HAVE DEFROST/DEFOG CAPABILITY. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO GET THE PARTS, BUT FORD HASN'T SHIPPED THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10396745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesEden, NY
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER A WEEK OF THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATING, HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CRASH IMPACT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V243000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE) WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,815 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10259334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesRaytown, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS DRIVING A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THIS WAS THE CAR I DROVE TO AND FROM WORK. I WAS DRIVING TO LONGVIEW COMMUNITY COLLEGE(LVCC) FOR A REHEARSAL AND LESSON ON THE BRUCE WATKINS DRIVE (HIGHWAY 71) SOUTH. THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AS THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AT THE GRANDVIEW TRIANGLE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE JUST AT THE 87TH STREET EXIT. A VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF ME TO EXIT AT THIS TURN OFF. I WAS SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH AND WAS DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE. AT THE END OF THAT BRIDGE WAS A HUGE BUMP. AS I HIT THAT BUMP, THE AIR BAG EXPLODED. I COULD NOT SEE WITH THE POWDER, SMOKE AND THE SMELL ( WHICH WAS BURNING MY EYES.) I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A TRAIL BLAZER. THE TRAILER HITCH RAMMED THROUGH THE RADIATOR. THE DRIVER DID NOT KNOW THAT I EVEN HAD HIT HIM. 60 SECONDS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A POLICE CAPTAIN DETECTIVE ON HER WAY HOME FROM THE METROPOLITAN POLICE STATION, ASKED ME IF I WAS OK. SHE SAID, "I SAW THE AIR BAG DEPLOY BEFORE YOU HIT THAT CAR IN FRONT OF YOU." THE NOISE OF THE HORN WAS LOUD. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN BY THE HOOD, WHICH WAS BENT BACK LIKE A BANANA. ALL OF THE GLASS IN THE FRONT WAS ALL BROKEN. I WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MAST AMBULANCE. THE CAR WAS LOADED ON A TRUCK AND PULLED ONTO THE PROPERTY OF DICK SMITH FORD IN RAYTOWN, MO. I CALLED MY AGENT WITH STATE FARM INSURANCE, AND HE GOT ME IN TOUCH WITH THEIR UNDERWRITERS AFTER THE CAR WAS WRITTEN OFF AS BEING A TOTAL WRECK. I HAD INFORMED HIM WHAT HAPPENED. THE UNDERWRITERS SAID, "THEY WOULD HAVE TO PICK AND CHOSE THEIR BATTLES WITH A BIG COMPANY LIKE FORD." I ALSO CALLED FORD IN MICHIGAN AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET 13 OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS KIND OF ACCIDENT. I DID NOT RECEIVE A TICKET OR ANY NOTICE OF WRONGFUL DRIVING. I DID GO TO MY DOCTOR FOR SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS ON MY NECK AND BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10203099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesPlainview, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V243000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10146142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Framingham, MA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10126791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,714 milesHampton, VA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 99V243000, CONCERNING FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL 99S23 ON 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE NHTSA WEB PAGE LISTS THE REMEDY AS: DEALER WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT, WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED. MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS HAD THE WIRING REPLACED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING CODE 51. ONCE THE WIRING WAS REPLACED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED LIT, AND THE CAR FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP (FREEDOM FORD, 1020 W. MERCURY BLVD. HAMPTON VA), REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I WOULD LIKE THE NHSTA TO REMOVE THE WORDING FROM THEIR WEB PAGE REGARDING THIS REPLACEMENT, OR INFORM ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMEDY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10112281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHighland, CA
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10111402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ozone Park, NY
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS SENSOR LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND REPAIRED WILL COST $95.00 PLUS LABOR AND PARTS. CONSUMER DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10090158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesCenter Barnstead, NH
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
RECALL NO.#99S23, AIRBAG SENSOR MODULE: RECALL NO.#01F22, HEATER BLOWER RESISTER: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY THE HEATER WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED. THE HEATER WILL ALSO BLOW OUT A FOUL ODOR SIMILAR TO SULFUR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE BUT, THE CONSUMER'S IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10082112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR-ENDED IT, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10081353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesTrenton, MI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING 4-4, SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR, AFFECTED IN DAMP CONDITIONS AND OCCASIONALLY FOR NO REASON. DEALER LOOKED AT THEM AND GREASED THEM FOR BETTER CONNECTION, BUT WOULDN'T DO ANY FURTHER WORK BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER EXISTING RECALL OF SAME SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEM. 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT, WITH 64,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT CONDITION. STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM, NO INJURIES OR CRASHES YET, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION IF FLASHING DURING ACCIDENT, THAT COULD BE NASTY. THANKS AGAIN FORDS FOR TRYING YOU BEST TO FIT ME UNDER THAT EXISTING RECALL!!! HA!
NHTSA complaint #10075092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,463 milesSarasota, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS REAR ENDED INTO ANOTHER CAR ON OCT.29 2002 AND NIETHER THE AIR BAG WORKED AS WELL AS THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. I HAD HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES AT THAT TIME. I DID'T QUESTION THESE THINGS NOT WORKING BECAUSE I WAS NOT HIT HARD. OCT. 27,2003 I WAS INVOLVED IN THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF ACCIDENT ONLY THIS TIME I WAS HIT HARD FROM BEHIND AND HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME HARD. AGAIN NOTHING WORKED AND THIS TIME THE POLICE EVEN QUESTIONED THE AIR BAG. AGAIN I HAVE INJURIES TO MY FACE, HEAD, NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK BUT TO WHAT EXTENT I DO NOT KNOW YET. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP IN BOTH ACCIDENTS AND HIT STRAIGHT ON IN THE REAR. IN 2002 I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT STRAIGHT ON AND NOW IN 2003 I HIT THE FRONT CAN WITH THE CENTER TO PASSENGER SIDE. MY CAR IS SAID TO BE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10071143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,500 milesOrchard Park, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FLASHING 4-2. THIS INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE FRONT LEFT CRASH SENSOR. UNDER RECALL 99V243000 (FORD # 99S23) THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED. FORD INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON FEB. 28TH, 2000. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON FEB 29TH, 2000. IF THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, IT LASTED LESS THAN 4 YEARS. FORD STATED TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER, BUT NO FURTHER RECALL WAS PLANNED. A RECALL FIX SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS, ESPECIALLY ON A SAFETY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10047117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesRichmond, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THREE CAR CRASH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FULLY AND REMAINED INFLATED ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR INFLATED 50% THE DEFLATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER CHEST/RIBS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Polk, LA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN LOUISIANA AND SHOWED THEM THE PAPERS THAT WAS SENT TO ME CONCERNING RECALLS FOR MY YEAR & MAKE OF CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT SOME OF THE RECALLS ON THOSE PAPERS WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN REPAIRED WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AND THEY STATED TO ME THAT IF THE VIN # FOR MY CAR DIDN'T COME UP AS A RECALL AND AS LONG AS THE PROBLEM DIDN'T EXIST THEN THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT . AND I STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VIN DIDN'T COME UP AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS HAVING SOME THESE RECALLS PROBLEMS YALL ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THEM BECAUSE MY VIN # DIDN'T COME UP AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT EXISTING RIGHT NOW ALL ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR OR FIX THESE RECALLS, AND I WAS TOLD YES. WELL, SOME OF THESE RECALLS ARE EXISTING ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T GET THE FORD PLACE TO REPAIR OR FIX THEM WHY IS THAT? I THINK THAT'S VERY UNFAIR TO THE CUSTOMER.
NHTSA complaint #10032722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanford, NCCrash
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT AIR BAG PROBLEMS. STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.MANUFACTURER OR DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10026644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,465 milesPrinceton, WI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10015100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,359 milesNorth Bend, WA
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 99V-234. THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT PER THE RECALL NOTICE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER TO THE CONSUMER. PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10012406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Racine, WI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THERE WAS CONSISTENT AIR BAG MODULE FAILURE. SCC *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Lupton, CO
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Lupton, CO
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10011157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Julian, WV
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.*JB.
NHTSA complaint #10009380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shullsburg, WI
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES AIR BAG MOUDLE SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #567430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Racine, WI
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF, AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT IN WHEN FLASHING. (IT WAS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IN THE REPLACEMENT MODULE-PER CONSUMER) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purcellville, VA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MFR# 99S23 & NHTSA# 99 V 243 000/AIR BAG SENOR ASSEMBLY:CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT WOULD FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE THE VEHICLE MAKE & MODEL, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN#. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muscatine, IA
AIR BAGS
99 V 243 000/AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY: AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE CONSUMER FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO NHTSA AND THE FORD COMPANY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS STILL BLINKING. CONSUMER REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE FORD COMPANY KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8016093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TOOK VEHICLETO DEALER FOR RECALL 99V243000 REPAIRS IN MARCH OF 2000. DEALER REPLACED DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM. 15 MONTHS AFTER ORIGINAL PARTS WERE REPLACED. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR FAILED, WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR.
NHTSA complaint #8015647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8015428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.