The contact was sitting in the driver seat while the vehicle was parked. The driver seat suddenly fell backwards and the hinge broke. The seat felt lose prior to the failure, but had not been inspected. After inspection the dealership said the breakage was due to fatigue of the seat frame. The entire seat was replaced. Updated 2/21/2006 -

- Lompoc, CA, USA

Back of driver's seat on my 1998 Ford Contour VIN [xxx] broke off evening of 05/05/05 as I was getting out of car. Car has never been in an accident. I feel this is a result of defective design and/or materials, and that Ford should replace free. However, when I contacted their customer relationship center the representative said Ford would not. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Westmont, IL, USA

I own a 1998 Ford Contour SE, recently on 10-13-04 I was driving and the back of my seat gave out, causing me to loose temporary control but avoid an accident. Upon closer inspection of the seat, I found the entire right side of the seat was disconnected. The metal had sheared in half, I couldn''t understand how that had happened. The bolt was still intact, the metal had just sheared into top and bottom causing the seat to fall immediately backwards. I sent emails to Ford Motor Corporation and the dealer I purchased it from brand new, seeing if something could be done to help. So far I have not heard any response and my car is a safety hazard on wheels, with no usable seat belt and no support to drive. I am a recent college grad and can't afford to not work, so I must still drive it everyday.

- Exton, PA, USA

I accelerated leaving a stop light and the driver seat back collapsed. Upon further review a metal bracket snapped clean in half. I have looked this up on the internet and it apears to be a common occurance with the Ford Contour. However, Ford seems unwilling to do anything about itand the part is not covered by warranty.

- Uniontown, PA, USA

Consumer states that the drivers seat was loose due to faulty track, the seat belt was also improperly installed.

- Long Beach , CA, USA

While driving driver's side seat came loose and fell into the floor of vehicle, almost caused an accident, consumer stated the frame of the seat was crtacked. The recall (99B23) on the water pump expired because the dealer was booked up several times and the consumer was unable to leave the vehicle at the dealer.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

Driver's side seat, backrest, right side, internal steel framework, snapped completely through, causing me to lose control of vehicle and almost being involved in a traffic collision.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

This pretains to the driver's seat. The reinforcing bar attached to the rear, underside of the seat pan has snapped. This bar connects the seat pan bottom to the seat tracks. The broken bar is allowing the seat to move from side to side. The seat and track assembly appears to be loose.

- Arcata, CA, USA

Was driving when driver's seat collapsed backwards without warning. This caused driver to contact visibility with road. Lost control of vehicle. Vehicle was declared totaled. Contacted manufacturer & informed someone will get in touch.

- Montello, WI, USA

Driver's side and passenger's side seat track and anchor system is rusting out. Dealer has not been contacted.

- Kempner, TX, USA

Consumer's vehicle was at a intersection and another vehicle veered into it. Consumer and his wife was throwen forward. Seat was knocked at a 45degree angle. Seat belt broke and latch failed. Also, the driver's seat and passenger's seat broke. Dealership was aware of the problem. There were miner injuries.

- Shelton, WA, USA

1)driver's power seat rocks from front to rear, replacing seat track made problem worse. 2) vents located to clear side window of fog do not operate when heat selector knob is set to hot.

- Mclean, VA, USA

Driver's seat moves back unexpectedly due to broken pivots which may cause loss of vehicle control. Dealer fixed driver's and passenger's seats on numerous occasions, but could not determine the cause of the problem.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Welding snapped at seat frame causing drivers seat to fall backwards. Nlm

- Cambridge, WI, USA

Loose seat track, I fear that it may fail during cornering and cause a crash.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The driver's seat rocks back and forth as if the entire unit is loose. I have been told that it might be the system that mounts the seat tracks to the bottom of the car. If I have a collision and the seat track breaks loose will I be protected?

- Durham, NC, USA

The seat track of the Contour allows the seat to rock back and forth considerably, especially during braking and accelerating. I have never experienced a seat that rocked back and forth like this. So I brought it to the attention of the dealer. The dealer checked for problems and foud none. The loose seat persists and when I asked the dealer about it again I was told that it is 'normal' for the the seat to seem loose and rock back and forth on this car. This doesnt seem right to me, it is very disconcerting especially since over time the seat rocks more and more. I am concerned that eventually it will come loose completely.

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

No summary mentione dfor this vehicle.

- Austin, TX, USA

Driver's seat collapsed into the rear seat upon impact of a rear end collision while travelling approximately 30 mph. Upon impact, my seat collapsed back, and I had no protection from neck and back injuries.

- St. Joseph, MO, USA

The vehicle was rearended by another vehicle and both the driver's and the passenger's seats collapsed. Dealer has not seen the vehicle.

- Feasterville, PA, USA