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 1998 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
On September 29, 2000 this vehicle was involved in three car crash. Upon impact the air bags deployed. 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.
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. …
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. …
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.
Tl 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.
Driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid hitting an animal in the street, the vehicle overturned onto its roof and ran into a ditch and after impact the air bags deployed, as a result of the faulty air bag the driver was killed and the passenger sustained injuries to his head, prior to this accident the consumers received recall notice 000-000 for the air bag and went to the dealer for repair, the delaer was unable to perform repairs due to lack of parts and the consumer was advised to return in a few days, consumer returned to the dealer who still had no parts available and approximatley three days later the accident occured.
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!
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.
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
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensor wiring pigtail insulation can become brittle and crack over time due to accumulation of water in the pigtail protective convolute in combination with high underhood temperatures related to the routing of the wiring pigtail near the radiator.
Remedy: Dealers will install air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation. In addition, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed.
Airbag complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Contour, 12% of the model year's 846 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Contour airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-243 (sensor/control module-inactive, Sep 8, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Contour airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 24 crashes, 0 fires and 24 injuries and 1 death 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.