10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 5 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 9,116 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The 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.
- Eden, NY, USA
The consumer is experiencing problems with the accelerator cable. When the consumer takes his foot off the pedal the engine does not return to it's lower idling speed. The consumer is also experiencing electrical problems. The air bag light stays flashing. Owner has contacted the dealer and because of the VIN, this vehicle is not included in any recalls relating to the defects of this vehicle.
- Highland, CA, USA
Air bags sensor light kept flashing. Consumer was told that there was no recall. Consumer was afraid that something will happen. To have the vehicle looked at and repaired will cost $95 plus labor and parts. Consumer did not think this was fair.
- Ozone Park, NY, USA
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.
- Sarasota, FL, USA
Consumer called complaining about air bag problems. Stated that the vehicle was involved in a collision where the air bags did not deploy.manufacturer or dealer were not contacted.
- Sanford, NC, USA
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.
- North Bend, WA, USA
The vehicle was involved in an accident and the air bags failed to deploy, the driver was injured.
- Columbus, OH, USA
While driving and without prior warning the airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The dealer is aware of the problem.
- Ft Lupton, CO, USA
The air bag light illuminated on the dash board.
- Ft Lupton, CO, USA
Consumer states the air bag light started flashing on and off, and was instructed to bring it in when flashing. (it was a defective component in the replacement module-per consumer)
- Racine, WI, USA
99 V 243 000/air bag sensor assembly: Air bag light remains on while driving. Dealer contacted. Nothing has changed since consumer first reported the problem to NHTSA and the Ford company. The warning light is still blinking. Consumer refuses to pay for repairs because the Ford company knows it is a problem.
- Muscatine, IA, USA
Air bag light comes on/off intermittently. Vehicle was checked by dealer, who advised consumer that there was no problem. Consumer concerned that air bag may or may not deploy.
- Conroe, TX, USA
I had a active recall 99V24300 concerning air bag failure on my Ford in early 2000 and took my automobile to the dealer that I purchased the vehicle to get the diagnostic component and sensor replaced in March 2000. When I took the car to be serviced the original parts were still in working order. I took the car in for service because I recieved the recall and I wanted to avoid future problems. My vehicle I used to Transport clients as part of community based crisis team that worked with teens with severe mental health issues so I wanted to address the problem due to safety and potential liability issues. The replacement part worked for the first 15 months and then failed and I took it to several dealers in my home town to diagnose the problem. Was told that it was a $500 dollar plus repair. I was also told that the original part had been replaced back in March 2000 and now the replacement had failed. When I first took it in to the dealer in did not realize that the part that was replaced was the same parts of the recall in early 2000. It is my believe that Ford is responsible for this repair because the orginal part was in working order which would have been covered under the orginal warranty. Obviously their our still some problems with this particular system. I also believe that it is a major safety issue and failure which Ford needs to address immediately. If these issues are not addressed in a timely manner I will pursue possible legal options with Ford.
- Mesa, AZ, USA
Air bag light remains on while driving. Dealer contacted. Consumer states the warning light was still blinking on and off.
- Muscatine, IA, USA
Airbag light is coming on intermittently. Vehicle has not been inspected by dealership.
- Painsvilles, OH, USA
While driving and without warning air bag light illuminated on dashboard. Minutes later, light went off. Dealer has been notified; however, mechanic can not duplicate the problem. Consumer adds with full tank of gas, fuel light is illuminated.
- Desplines, IL, USA
First I would like to know if recall summary 99V243000 and 99S23 are they the same recall? the air bag warning light has been flashing on and off for sometime now. When it first started we took it to M & M Ford and the service person said it was the sensor and it would cost around $95 to fix. We told him there was a recall on the senors but he said we had too many miles on the vehicle. We did not have the sensor replaced until now which is why I'm writing you. When they replaced the sensor it states in the repair order that since we had it last check it shorted out the crash sensor mointor. This was new news to us so we didn't have it ordered. We checked your web site that night and found recall 99V243000. In your recall summary it states vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed. Now the Ford company says we had the recall done in October of 1999 under recall 99S23. Under that recall it says nothing about the monitor problem. When this alleged repair was done there was no problem with the warning light to the air bag. This repair they say was done in davenport ia. When we had the car brake down because of the bad water pump. I feel this is a new problem with the Ford Contour and the dealership should honor your recall.
- Muscatine, IA, USA
Was informed by dealership of recall 99V243000. Mechanic refused to comply with recall regarding diagnostic monitor. Mechanic indicated air bag recall was for crash sensors only. Owner then contacted manufacturer, and was informed of same recall. Indicated to owner that diagnostic monitor for air bags could not be installed due to not hearing from NHTSA.
- Liberty Lake, WA, USA
Engine light and air bag light have illuminated on instrument panel. Vehicle was serviced for campaign 99V243000 previously, consumer did not know date. Dealership has not examined vehicle to determine cause of problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
- Harrell, AK, USA
- Oak Ridge, TN, USA