The contact owned a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, going downhill, the vehicle hit black ice, then crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed and detached upon impact, slicing the contact's head open, snapped his fifth and sixth vertebrae, and the seatbelt fractured his ribs. The police were called to the scene of the collision. The police officer informed the contact that the air bag had detached from the steering wheel and was in the rear passenger seat. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
1996 Ford Contour airbags problems
25 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). 16 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- crashes
- 16
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Frontal14
- Side/window1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Contour airbags problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1996 Ford Contour owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. Car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. Headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). Air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. Dealer comment on stalling: "probably something stupid" and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. Dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. Question: if they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? Headlights still out of alignment after having been "adjusted" by dealer in january 2005.
While driving a noise is heard. There is a problem with the clock spring. Crown ford dealership in nashville tennessee stated no problem could be found.
Both driver and passenger side airbags deployed for no apparent reason
No summary. Dt
Consumer was traveling on a bridge and a suddently stopped for another vehicle that jumped in front of him. Dual airbag didn't go off, and hit vehicle from behind. Dealership was aware of problem.
When slamming on his brakes to avoid hitting vehicle that had stopped in front, and air bags didn't deploy. Consumer and friend were injured.
While driving about 20 MPH next to a close curve saw a deer in front of vehicle on road. Tried to avoid hitting it by stepping on brakes. They locked up, and vehicle rolled over. None of front air bags deployed.
While approaching a stop sign both airbags deployed. There was no accident involved. My daughter and her friend were slightly injured. My daughter still suffers neck and back aches. No explanation as to why this happened.
Reporting on two difference occasions when air bag deployed on passenger's side, causing front windshield to shatter. Would like to know what can or will be done on this matter, dealer and manufacturer were notified. Please feel free to provide any further details.
Questions about the 1996 Ford Contour airbags
Does the 1996 Ford Contour have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the airbags of the 1996 Ford Contour, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Contour airbags problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford Contour airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Contour have bad airbags?
The Ford Contour model years with the most airbags complaints are 1998 (99 complaints), 1995 (45 complaints) and 1999 (29 complaints).
Other 1996 Ford Contour problems
Engine 124Electrical 119Transmission 76Lights 72Brakes 49Visibility 41Suspension 38Acceleration 31Fuel system 30Steering 30Body 15Seat belts 14Wheels 7Locks 5Seats 3Tires 3Driver assistance 1
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