Orange, NJ
SEAT BELTS
IN THE BACK SEAT I HAVE ONLY 2 SEATBELTS IT'S SHOULD HAVE 3.
NHTSA complaint #10238331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1999 Ford Contour seat belt problems
25 of the 616 complaints about the 1999 Ford Contour are about the seat belts — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,000 miles.
25
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Retractor
7
28.0%
Anchorage
6
24.0%
Seat Belts
4
16.0%
Buckle Assembly
4
16.0%
Rear/Other
2
8.0%
Webbing
1
4.0%
Front
1
4.0%
Seat Belts across every Ford Contour year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 70,699 miles
ELK River, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DRIVER SEAT BELT RIPPED/TORE. NO INJURIES. LOOKS LIKE IT WILL NOT SURVIVE ANOTHER INCIDENT. HAVE A FRIEND THAT THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ON A FORD VEHICLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10188194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 miles
Norwalk, CA
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR. BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DON'T SEEM TO RETRACT AND GET TANGELED AND TWISTED ALL THE TIME. I HAVE MANUALLY ADJUSTED THEM EVERYTIME I DROVE. JUST 5 MONTHS AGO I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME A CONCUSION. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT TO HOLD ME BACK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR THE SEAT BELTS TO BE FIXED AND THEY DID NOT METION ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIRBAG. I MANAGED TO UNTANGLE THE SEAT BELTS ON MY CAR AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BUCKLES ARE FACING THE WRONG WAY. THIS I COMPARED TO OTHER CARS AND FORDS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10030826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrollton, TX
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10025656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
SEAT BELTS
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. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,235 miles
Tempe, AZ
Crash
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10008485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 miles
Columbus, OH
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10008276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,600 miles
Hohenwald, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS CONSTANTLY GET TWISTED AND LOCKED UP. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND UNDO IT TO GET IT FIXED. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHT WILL JUST COME ON. AT 4 AM ON MORNING I JUST HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT AND IT WAS ON.?????? TS
NHTSA complaint #10005083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8024123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pennsville, NJ
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER STATES DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED DUE TO FALLING APART, REAR SEATBELT BROKE AND IS COMING OUT OF THE SOCKETS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pennsville, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATES DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED DUE TO FALLING APART, REAR SEATBELT BROKE AND IS COMING OUT OF THE SOCKETS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Pierce, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. THE ECOND TIME, IT JUST WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND I HAD TO CUT THE SEATBEAT SO THE PASSENGER COULD GET OUT. AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER SWITCH JUST WENT OUT ONE DAY. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY WORK IF I KEEP THE CONTROL TURNED TO "HIGH." I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS REPLACED BY FORD, IF POSSIBLE. "
NHTSA complaint #761637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elyria, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION . DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #893863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henderosn, NV
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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. *AK SEAT BELT FAILED ALSO. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #891672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Russelville, AL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE CONSUMER HAS TO CONSTANTLY UNJAM OR UNTWIST THE SEATBELTS TO BE ABLE TO PULL OUT OR RETACT PROPERLY TO BUCKLE OR UNBUCKLE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #785389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pontiac, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT WHEN UNBUCKLING THE BELT AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES IT'S HAPPENED DAILY FOR 2 MONTHS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcdonald, PA
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
IN THE REAR SEAT THERE IS A BELT THAT DOESN'T RELEASE. THE BELT HAD TO BE CUT AFTER CONSUMER'S CHILD GOT HER HEAD CAUGHT IN THE BELT. IT LOCKED & THERE WAS NO WAY TO RELEASE IT. DEALER IS LOOKING TO SEE IF THIS IS A DEFECT PROBLEM. DEALER CAN FIX IT, BUT THE CONSUMER DOESN'T WANT IT FIXED UNTIL THEY CAN FIND OUT HOW TO RELEASE THE BELT. *AK THE CHILD WAS CAUGHT IN THE BELT STRAP AND WAS CHOCKING IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, BUT THE PARENT CUT THE STRAP WITH KNIFE AND RESCUED THE CHILD.
NHTSA complaint #871538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
BRAKES FAILED AND REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH, AFTER REPAIR ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO LACK OF BRAKING ABILITY, DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT CAME LOOSE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT MECHANISMS FREQUENTLY JAM AND NON-FUNCTIONAL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE MANAGED TO FREE THEM WITH TIME AND EFFORT. THE LAST TIME, I WAS UNABLE TO UNJAM THE BELT AND HAD TO LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER SAYS FORD DOES NOT WARRANTY SEATBELTS AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE INEVITABLE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #719981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm City, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD GET TANGLED UP AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. DEALER NOTIFIED, HAD BOTH BELTS REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #856327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macnolia, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER, DURING THE COLLISION THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT BROKE CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING AIRBAG TO HIT PASSENGER IN THE FACE.
NHTSA complaint #851503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grayland, WA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT AND LOCK, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #846002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crayland, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DO NOT RETRACT FOR USE OR AFTER USE. WOULD BE VERY LIMP IN LAP. BELTS GET TWISTED WHILE RETRACTING, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK BELTS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #847216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colonial Beach, VA
Crash
2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE AT A LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND DIVER'S/ PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #843177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS CONSISTENTLY JAM. THIS MAKES THEM USELESS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT SEATBELT MECHANISM (REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR UP OR BACK THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED) CAUSE THE BELTS TO TWIST AND JAM. IN ORDER TO UNJAM THEM, YOU MUST STOP THE CAR AND FIGHT WITH THE SEATBELTS. ANY MOVEMENT LOOSENS THEM AND THEY DO NOT RETRACT. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELTS ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE MORE HARM THAN PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #701297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.