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1998 Ford Contour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Contour years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Contour are substantially higher than the model-year median of 218.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 161 of 846 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

99 reports
Clear category filter
36,000 miles · Jun 9, 2004
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING 4-4, SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR, AFFECTED IN DAMP CONDITIONS AND OCCASIONALLY FOR NO REASON. DEALER LOOKED AT THEM AND GREASED THEM FOR BETTER CONNECTION, BUT WOULDN'T DO ANY FURTHER WORK BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER EXISTING RECALL OF SAME SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEM. 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE SP…

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AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING 4-4, SOMETHING TO DO WITH FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR, AFFECTED IN DAMP CONDITIONS AND OCCASIONALLY FOR NO REASON. DEALER LOOKED AT THEM AND GREASED THEM FOR BETTER CONNECTION, BUT WOULDN'T DO ANY FURTHER WORK BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T FALL UNDER EXISTING RECALL OF SAME SYMPTOMS AND PROBLEM. 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT, WITH 64,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT CONDITION. STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM, NO INJURIES OR CRASHES YET, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION IF FLASHING DURING ACCIDENT, THAT COULD BE NASTY. THANKS AGAIN FORDS FOR TRYING YOU BEST TO FIT ME UNDER THAT EXISTING RECALL!!! HA!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10075092

95,463 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10071143

56,500 miles · Nov 18, 2003
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FLASHING 4-2. THIS INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE FRONT LEFT CRASH SENSOR. UNDER RECALL 99V243000 (FORD # 99S23) THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED. FORD INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON FEB. 28TH, 2000. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON FEB 29TH, 2000. IF THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, IT LASTED LESS …

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AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FLASHING 4-2. THIS INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE FRONT LEFT CRASH SENSOR. UNDER RECALL 99V243000 (FORD # 99S23) THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED. FORD INDICATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON FEB. 28TH, 2000. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON FEB 29TH, 2000. IF THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED, IT LASTED LESS THAN 4 YEARS. FORD STATED TO TAKE IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER, BUT NO FURTHER RECALL WAS PLANNED. A RECALL FIX SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS, ESPECIALLY ON A SAFETY SYSTEM. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047117

108,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THREE CAR CRASH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK 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…

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ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THREE CAR CRASH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK 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. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10044402

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Air Bags

THERE WAS CONSISTENT AIR BAG MODULE FAILURE. SCC *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10009906

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2003
Air BagsExterior LightingPower Train

I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN LOUISIANA AND SHOWED THEM THE PAPERS THAT WAS SENT TO ME CONCERNING RECALLS FOR MY YEAR & MAKE OF CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT SOME OF THE RECALLS ON THOSE PAPERS WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN REPAIRED WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AND THEY STATED TO ME THAT IF THE VIN # FOR MY CAR…

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I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN LOUISIANA AND SHOWED THEM THE PAPERS THAT WAS SENT TO ME CONCERNING RECALLS FOR MY YEAR & MAKE OF CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT SOME OF THE RECALLS ON THOSE PAPERS WAS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN REPAIRED WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AND THEY STATED TO ME THAT IF THE VIN # FOR MY CAR DIDN'T COME UP AS A RECALL AND AS LONG AS THE PROBLEM DIDN'T EXIST THEN THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT . AND I STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VIN DIDN'T COME UP AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS HAVING SOME THESE RECALLS PROBLEMS YALL ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THEM BECAUSE MY VIN # DIDN'T COME UP AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT EXISTING RIGHT NOW ALL ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR OR FIX THESE RECALLS, AND I WAS TOLD YES. WELL, SOME OF THESE RECALLS ARE EXISTING ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T GET THE FORD PLACE TO REPAIR OR FIX THEM WHY IS THAT? I THINK THAT'S VERY UNFAIR TO THE CUSTOMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032722

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Air BagsCrash

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10026644

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2003
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018189

89,465 miles · Apr 3, 2003
Air Bags

THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015100

88,359 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Air Bags

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 REC…

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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. PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10011479

Official recalls

9

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

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. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

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.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication

Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling

Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling

Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues

Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

There is no summary currently available

SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4

Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.