35 of the 1,189 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour are about the seats — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 112,000 miles.
35
Complaints
10
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10167163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARDS AND THE HINGE BROKE. THE SEAT FELT LOSE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO FATIGUE OF THE SEAT FRAME. THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 2/21/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10146789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR VIN [XXX] BROKE OFF EVENING OF 05/05/05 AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF CAR. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THIS IS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND/OR MATERIALS, AND THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE FREE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID FORD WOULD NOT. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10120287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I OWN A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE, RECENTLY ON 10-13-04 I WAS DRIVING AND THE BACK OF MY SEAT GAVE OUT, CAUSING ME TO LOOSE TEMPORARY CONTROL BUT AVOID AN ACCIDENT. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE SEAT, I FOUND THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT WAS DISCONNECTED. THE METAL HAD SHEARED IN HALF, I COULDN''T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HAD HAPPENED. THE BOLT WAS STILL INTACT, THE METAL HAD JUST SHEARED INTO TOP AND BOTTOM CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL IMMEDIATELY BACKWARDS. I SENT EMAILS TO FORD MOTOR CORPORATION AND THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM BRAND NEW, SEEING IF SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO HELP. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY RESPONSE AND MY CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON WHEELS, WITH NO USABLE SEAT BELT AND NO SUPPORT TO DRIVE. I AM A RECENT COLLEGE GRAD AND CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT WORK, SO I MUST STILL DRIVE IT EVERYDAY.
NHTSA complaint #10095783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER SEAT LEFT SIDE SNAPPED ( NOT THE HINGE ) WHILE ENTERING MY CAR. CAUSING IT TO FALL BACK, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10058116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I ACCELERATED LEAVING A STOP LIGHT AND THE DRIVER SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. UPON FURTHER REVIEW A METAL BRACKET SNAPPED CLEAN IN HALF. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET AND IT APEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. HOWEVER, FORD SEEMS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT ITAND THE PART IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. MR
NHTSA complaint #768114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE DUE TO FAULTY TRACK, THE SEAT BELT WAS ALSO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK COLLAPSED DUE TO A REAR END COLLISION FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE SITTING STILL. SPEED FROM OTHER VEHICLE WAS 55 MPH. TRUNK CRUMBLED, AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOTALED FROM THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. DRIVER DID SUSTAIN A SEVERE HEAD INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #8015463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL INTO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME OF THE SEAT WAS CRTACKED. *AK THE RECALL (99B23) ON THE WATER PUMP EXPIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS BOOKED UP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8014450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT,BACKREST,RIGHT SIDE,INTERNAL STEEL FRAMEWORK,SNAPPED COMPLETELY THROUGH,CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND ALMOST BEING INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #763191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THIS PRETAINS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE REINFORCING BAR ATTACHED TO THE REAR, UNDERSIDE OF THE SEAT PAN HAS SNAPPED. THIS BAR CONNECTS THE SEAT PAN BOTTOM TO THE SEAT TRACKS. THE BROKEN BAR IS ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE SEAT AND TRACK ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #758159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE OF SQUEAKS AND BROKEN STABILIZER BAR UNDER THE SEAT BASE. SEAT WAS STABILE AFTER REPAIR WITH NO MORE SQUEAKS. I GOT INTO THE CAR TODAY, AND AS I TURNED TO GRAB MY SEATBELT, THE SEAT BACK SUDDENLY GAVE WAY. I CAN NO LONGER USE THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO SUPPORT MYSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTOUR IS BEING TAKEN TO SMITH-CAIRNS FORD ON 2/11/2002 FOR REPAIRS. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECASUE I THINK THAT FORD SHOUD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR, ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 76,000 MILES AND HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THE SEATS.
NHTSA complaint #758060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WAS DRIVING WHEN DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO CONTACT VISIBILITY WITH ROAD. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED SOMEONE WILL GET IN TOUCH.
NHTSA complaint #879970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK AND ANCHOR SYSTEM IS RUSTING OUT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED .
NHTSA complaint #879078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHEN MAKING SUDDEN STOPS DRIVER SEAT SLIDES FORWARD. IT ALSO MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #876511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS AT A INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO IT. CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE WAS THROWEN FORWARD. SEAT WAS KNOCKED AT A 45DEGREE ANGLE. SEAT BELT BROKE AND LATCH FAILED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE MINER INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #874391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
1)DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ROCKS FROM FRONT TO REAR, REPLACING SEAT TRACK MADE PROBLEM WORSE. 2) VENTS LOCATED TO CLEAR SIDE WINDOW OF FOG DO NOT OPERATE WHEN HEAT SELECTOR KNOB IS SET TO HOT.
NHTSA complaint #734431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF CAR BROKE. REPLACEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING WAS NECESSARY: SHOCK ABSORBER, CB SPRING, D BOOT, BEARING ASSEMNBLY, AA SEAT, MOUNTING ASSY, HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLY, CV JOINT ASSEMBLY, BRAKE SHOES, DISC BRAKE ROTOR, TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #723621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACK UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO BROKEN PIVOTS WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER FIXED DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #861978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSES WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
IN A CRASH DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING INJURIES TO OCCUPANT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #856953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE TRAVELING DRIVER'S SEATBACK SURPORT BROKE ,CAUSING CONSUMER TO LAY DOWN WHIEL, VEHICLE WAS STILL TRAVELING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.
NHTSA complaint #855383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK, AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO ENGINE CUT OFF SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER HAD REAR END COLLISION, AND BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARD. CONSUMER INJURED HIS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #855480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE SEATING IN DRIVER SEAT THE BACK SUPPORT CALLAPSED, CONSUMER FELL BACKWARDS.
NHTSA complaint #848328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WELDING SNAPPED AT SEAT FRAME CAUSING DRIVERS SEAT TO FALL BACKWARDS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #545754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE ENTIRE UNIT IS LOOSE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE THE SYSTEM THAT MOUNTS THE SEAT TRACKS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. IF I HAVE A COLLISION AND THE SEAT TRACK BREAKS LOOSE WILL I BE PROTECTED?
NHTSA complaint #705025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
LOOSE SEAT TRACK, I FEAR THAT IT MAY FAIL DURING CORNERING AND CAUSE A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #705033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
NO SUMMARY MENTIONE DFOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE SEAT TRACK OF THE CONTOUR ALLOWS THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH CONSIDERABLY, ESPECIALLY DURING BRAKING AND ACCELERATING. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SEAT THAT ROCKED BACK AND FORTH LIKE THIS. SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR PROBLEMS AND FOUD NONE. THE LOOSE SEAT PERSISTS AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE THE SEAT TO SEEM LOOSE AND ROCK BACK AND FORTH ON THIS CAR. THIS DOESNT SEEM RIGHT TO ME, IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING ESPECIALLY SINCE OVER TIME THE SEAT ROCKS MORE AND MORE. I AM CONCERNED THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL COME LOOSE COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #704992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.