Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2000 Ford Contour se sport automatic, 64,200 miles. My pregnant wife and I were rear ended by a man in a Ford cargo van doing about 40 MPH, not paying attention. Conditions were sunny and warm, about 1:15 pm. I was the driver and was at a complete stop, waiting for a Ford taurus in front of me to turn left onto a side street. During the collision the front driver and passenger seats broke into a reclined position (we both ended up looking at the roof because of the seat position) which would have crushed the legs of rear seat passengers. The front passenger seat belt became unbuckled as well. I was pushed into the taurus but the air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was a total loss.
The vinyl covering on the dashboard is peeling away from the underlying structure. It has, over a period of about 5 months, peeled back far enough that it obstructs the view out of the windshield. The windshield defrost vent trim no longer fits into place. The defroster no longer works properly, as the vinyl now obstructs the air flow. The vinyl is also in such a position as to potentially impede the functon of the passenger-side airbag. Ford has issued a couple of 'campaigns', as they call it, but both have expired. My dash was not warped during the period of the campaign, and so was not replaced at that time. Since the extended warranty does not cover the dash, Ford will not cover the full cost of the replacement (~$1200). The dash on a 3.5 year car should not warp so badly it looks like a pringles chip. …
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 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.
Driver was in an front end accident that was caused by application of the brakes which failed. Consumer lost control and hit a gaurdrail head-on. Upon impact, passenger's side air bag deployed, but driver's side air bag failed to deploy.
While driving at approximately 35-40 MPH hit an enbankment and went up railroad track , tearing bumper., and made a hole in oil pan. Also ,about $3,000 worth of damage to front end. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (99), 1995 (44), 1999 (29), 1996 (25) and 1997 (9) model years. Airbag complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-243 (sensor/control module-inactive, Sep 8, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Contour airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (88 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (28).
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.