Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, going downhill, the vehicle hit black ice, then crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed and detached upon impact, slicing the contact's head open, snapped his fifth and sixth vertebrae, and the seatbelt fractured his ribs. The police were called to the scene of the collision. The police officer informed the contact that the air bag had detached from the steering wheel and was in the rear passenger seat. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. Car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. Headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). Air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. Dealer comment on stalling: "probably something stupid" and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. Dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. Question: if they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? Headlights still out of alignment after having been "adjusted" by dealer in January 2005.
My son was involved in a traffic accident where the car rolled over and hit numerous trees. Both air bags did not open and the seat belt broke away... Miracously my son ended up in the back seat with only a modest bump on his head. .... Witnessess as well as the towing/wrecking yard could not believe there were no serious injuries, especially considering the condition of the vehicle... When purchasing the auto I recall that safety reports were generally favorable... Given the impact of this accident it is incredible that the airbags did not open and that the seat belt broke away...
Consumer states that while travling about 25 MPH, and had a very light impact in which vehicle skidded about 3 feet into the back of another vehicle. The vehicle in front didn't have any rear brake lights. The airbag deployed on very light impact, causing it to smash the windshield on the passenger's side. It also split the instrument panel/damaged glove compartment/bent the steering wheel, resulting in extreme injuries to the neck and chest. Also punctured the airbag in 2 places. Consumer has contacted the dealer.
Vehicle was hit on the passenger's front side and the shoulder belt did not restrain the driver. Also, the deployment of the driver's side air bag knocked driver out of seat and head hit the passenger side window.
While driving about 20 MPH next to a close curve saw a deer in front of vehicle on road. Tried to avoid hitting it by stepping on brakes. They locked up, and vehicle rolled over. None of front air bags deployed.
Consumer was traveling on a bridge and a suddently stopped for another vehicle that jumped in front of him. Dual airbag didn't go off, and hit vehicle from behind. Dealership was aware of problem.
While traveling down interstate 295,new jersey, I slowed down to get off at exit 4, suddenly I heard a loud explosion (which I thought was my car exploding) and the next thing I knew both air bags exploded (passenger & drivers side). The force and power of the explosion caused my windshield to crack on the passenger. I did not hit any other car or object,I was traveling no more than about 35,because I was preparing to get off at exit,and the road surface was smooth. Car was towed to the dealer,murphy Ford,chester,pa, who offered little or no assistance in determining the exact cause of why two air bags would explode other than to tell me I had too much air in one tire. Ford motor company was contacted and I have yet to hear from them.
Reporting on two difference occasions when air bag deployed on passenger's side, causing front windshield to shatter. Would like to know what can or will be done on this matter, dealer and manufacturer were notified. Please feel free to provide any further details.
While approaching a stop sign both airbags deployed. There was no accident involved. My daughter and her friend were slightly injured. My daughter still suffers neck and back aches. No explanation as to why this happened.
Airbag complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Ford Contour, 4% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Contour airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1996 Ford Contour, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 21 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.