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 1999 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On dec. 3, 2004 I was involved in an accident with my vehicle, 1999 Ford Contour, and an oncoming vehicle, a 1999 Ford pick-up. I was going through a green light at an intersection doing 30-35mph when the truck went through his red light, plowing through the intersection. As a result, I hit (t-boned) his truck. The whole front end of my vehicle ran into the passengers side of his vehicle (he was doing 30mph at the very least). My air bag did not deploy as it should have. I hit my head on the steering wheel. When paramedics arrived I was then put in a neck brace, put on a backboard, and taken to the er. I did not suffer a concusion, injury was minor (hit head, approx 10 minute state of confusion about 5 minutes after collision, dizziness and saw spots about 30 min after collision), and I've only suffered a very sore neck and back. However,injuries sustained could have been much worse. …
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.
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.
Driver fell asleep at the wheel while driving and hit a house pole then a telephone pole. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained head and back injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled.
I own a 1999 Ford Contour with a horribly warped dashboard. There was never a recall, only a courtesy call to come to Ford and have it fixed. I brought it into my local dealer, who did not have another dash to replace. They had to order it. When I called back several months later, they told me that time had expired and they sent the dash back to Ford and there was nothing I can do. This warped dash is dangerous, interferes with my field of vision, the defroster won't work properly and now is interfering with the passenger side airbag. I want you to know about this early in case of an accident. This car was bought new in 1999 by me and only has 35K miles on it.
Airbags did not deploy when rear ended. My car was pushed into intersection. Damage to car was bumper, had to replace mud guards and attaching hardware. Contacted Ford about my concern they said that the force probably wasn't great enough. Everyone I spoke with asked about the airbags and were suprised when they didn't deploy as the force was greater than 20 miles an hour.
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. Seat belt failed also.
The dealership admited that a technician left a wire loose when they installed a new motor in my car. They were repairing all damage due to the fire. They did not. My son had an accident 4 months later. When the airbags deployed, the passanger side airbag was burnt and melted, therefore never completely deploying.
Going approx 30mph & swerved to avoid hitting a cat. Left front wheel hit curb & both air bagss popped out & quickly deflated. Broke windshield. Was able to stuff air bags back in. Will be taking vehicle to dealer to check & correct air bags.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision with another vehicle, speed was undetermined in which both air bags did not deploy. Dealer / manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Airbag complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Contour, 7% of the model year's 419 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Contour airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Ford Contour, though it has 3 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 1999 Ford Contour airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 2 fires and 17 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.