1997 Ford Contour

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH ENGINE WILL OVE HEAT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP AND REFILL RADIATOR WITH ANTI-FREEZE, AND ENGINE WILL COOL DOWN, THEN COULD KEEP DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/31/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY

  DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK, WILL BLOCK THE VIEW AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, COOLANT LEAKING, ENGINE OVERHEATING, TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING.*SLC

• 12/30/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE 1997 FORD CONTOUR SE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY, RADIATOR LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY, RUNS POORLY. I HAD ALL CHECKED WHEN THEY HAPPEN ON MULTILPLE OCCASIONS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BY A FREIND THAT HE HAD HEARD OF A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND FORD WAS FIXING THEM, AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS A RECALL BUT BASED ON MY VIN I WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE AGE OF MY CAR. THIS WAS DONE AT BRANDON FORD AROUND THE JULY/AUGUST TIME FRAME. THINKING THAT I HAD TO DO THE REPAIR MYSELF, DUE TO THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP (OVER $3000.00), I STARTED LOOKING FOR PARTS MYSELF ON THE INTERNET. THERE I FOUND THE RECALL/EXT. WARRANTY INFO. 99M03 AND IN THIS IT STATES 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILE. I AGAIN GOT HOPE THAT MAYBE THEY HAD MISSREAD THE RECALL AT THE DEALER SHIP. I THEN RETURNED WITH VIN AND THE INFO 99M03 IN HAD AND ONE OF THEIR SERVICE ADVISERS CONFIRMED THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY TO DROP THE CAR OFF AT 8:30AM TO HAVE IT DONE. I CALL THAT SAME DAY AT 2:30PM TO CHECK TO SEE IF AND FOR HOW LONG I WOUNLD NEED A RENTAL CAR. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO IT'S AGE AND THAT IT RAN OUT ON 10/26/06. HAD THE FIRST PERSON LOOKED THE INFO. UP PROPERLY BACK IN THE JULY/AUGUST TIME FRAME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE THEM APPROX. 3 DAYS TO DO, AND FOR ONLY GIVES THEM 6-7 HRS TO DO IT, SO THEY LOSE MONEY TO DO THESE REPAIRS. BASED ON THE 99M03 INFO I SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED A LETTER STATING THE EXT. WARRANTY WHICH I DID NOT, BUT HAD RECIEVED OTHER RECALL INFO. *NM

• 12/28/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR INDICATOR DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V233000 (POWERTRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

• 12/27/2002· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT SEATS ARE NOT STABILIZED AND WHILE DRIVING THE SEATS MOVES BACKWARDS. TS

• 12/24/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  THERE SEEMED TO BE NO WARNING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN A SLIGHT HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE IN THE AM., MUCH LIKE THE SOUND OF A SERPENTINE BELT.THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS APPROPRIATE WHEN CHECKED. THE COMPUTER READING HAS STATED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING A BAD CLUTCH.IT WILL COST $2000.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION.

• 12/23/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  E-MAIL FM C. REYNOLDS (NC) COMPLAINT OWNER OF A 1997 FORD CONTOUR UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT LENS FM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *MR *SCC *JB

• 12/17/2001· SUSPENSION

  THREE REPLACEMENTS OF FRONT WHEEL BEARING, AND ONE REPLACEMENT OF RIGHT REAR BEARING, ALL REPLACEMENTS MADE FROM TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/15/2001· VISIBILITY

  THIS AUTOMOBILE IS GIVING OFF A HORRIFIC BURNING SMELL ANYTIME THAT THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. NO ONE AT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE DEFECTS WITH THEIR PRODUCTS. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT, THAT IS BEYOND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE PART OF FORD. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY MAJOR.*AK MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I HAVE FOUND. THE ENTIRE FRONT-END SUSPENSION OF THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I LESS THAT 1 WEEK AGO REPLACED FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS BECAUSE OF A LOUD RUBBING, ROARING NOISE AND THEY ARE STARTING TO MAKE THE SAME UNBEARABLE NOISE AGAIN. YOU, AT FORD, ADVISED ME THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. WELL I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU ALL AWARE THAT THERE ARE. IF YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK THROUGH YOUR COMPLAINTS UNDER ANYTHING HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE TIRES, FRONT-END SUSPENSION, WHEELS, WHEEL BEARINGS OR BEARINGS THEMSELVES I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL FIND ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS. WHEN YOUR POOR UNFORTUNATE AND MISEDUCATED CUSTOMERS CALL WITH THEIR COMMENTS CONCERNS AND ISSUES, THEY ARE ASKED WHAT IS THEIR CONCERN. THEY, NOT KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE STATE WHAT IT IS THEY HEAR WHILE DRIVING THE DEATH TRAP THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD OR HAVE BEEN TOLD BY YOUR DEALERS. LEAVING EVERY THING TOO BROAD AND WIDE OPEN TO BE SCATTERED AND INCORRECTLY CATEGORIZED. WHICH WORKS OUT TO YOUR BENEFIT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, ANYTIME FORD HAS A RECALL OR ADMITS THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE THEY ARE FINED AND HAS TO PAY SEVERAL PENALTIES. WELL I SHOULD THINK THAT FORD WOULD WANT TO PAY THE PAUCITY OF FEES AND PENALTIES NOW AND MAKE THE REPAIRS NEEDED RATHER THAN HAVE ANOTHER FIRESTONE TIRE INCIDENT ON THE HANDS AND CONSCIENCE. BUT WHO KNOWS MAYBE YOU ALL DONT CARE.

• 12/11/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER HAD TO CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TOOK IT TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/11/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/11/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. IT NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION, AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART ENGINE TO MAKE IT WORKS AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/10/2001· STRUCTURE

  I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

• 12/10/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  AC/HEATER SWITCH WHICH PREVIOUSLY FAILED (VERY SIMILAR TO EXISTING INVESTIGATION # PE00023) IN OCT 2000, HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE AC/HEATER SWITCH WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO ENGAGE THE HVAC SYSTEM AND WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE THE AC COMPRESSOR WHEN AN AC MODE IS SELECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS PART AND I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART IN THE DATABASE.

• 12/09/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING CAUSED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, THE PARK LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. *JB

• 12/08/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO MELT.*AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V103000. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AS OF YET. *TC

• 12/06/1996· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. *AK

• 12/05/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION DESIGN ALLOWS VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR.

• 12/02/2003· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY

  I BELIEVE ALL 1997 FORD CONTOURS SHOULD BE RECALLED, OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH, WATERPUMP, BLOWER MOTOR, BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS, SWAY BARS, WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT & REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS(BOTH TWICE!!!!), AXLE, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EGR VALVE, COIL SPRINGS, BATTERY, BALLJOINTS, DOOR LATCH, ALMOST ALL OF THE FULL FRONT SUSPENSION!!!! THERE ARE MORE PARTS THAT I HAD REPLACED BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE NAMES OF THE PARTS THERE ARE TOO MANY!! MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, SHORT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE ENGINE WILL (REV) UP BY ITSELF WHEN IT'S IN GEAR AND WHEN IT'S NOT, SHORT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEATS, WATER LEAKAGE IN THE TRUNK, A/C LEAKS ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, ALL DOORS SQUEAK NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, CARPET IS FALLING OUT, HORN WILL NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME, SAME FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPER SPRAYER DOES NOT WORK, KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, ENDED UP IN VERY BAD DEBT BECAUSE OF THIS AND NO ONE WILL TAKE IT, I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE PIECE OF CRAP. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR AT ONE TIME REGARDING ALL THE PARTS I REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT, THEY SAY IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD IT TO ME SAYS IT WAS JUST FINE, BULL CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I BELIEVE THAT THOSE ARE TOO MANY ITEMS FOR A 1997 TO GO WRONG ON. *AK

• 11/28/2001· SUSPENSION

  WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID FRONT TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER REPLACED TWO FRONT TIRES. 2 MONTHS LATER, NOISE CONTINUED. CONSUMER PUT ALL NEW TIRES, AND NOISE CONTINUED, AND GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *AK

• 11/28/2000· EQUIPMENT

  COMPRESSOR "FROZE-UP" WHICH LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WOULD NOT RUN. THE DEALER THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO, SAID THAT THEY HAD HAD OTHER CONTOURS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS STOPPED, AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE AND NOT ON THE ROAD. I HAD JUST TRAVELLED 130 MILES, WHEN THE CAR CRATERED. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT IF FORD KNEW THE DESIGN WOULD RENDER THE ENGINE USELESS, IT WOULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. THERE'S NO WAY TO BY-PASS THE COMPRESSOR AS IT IS ON A PULLEY SYSTEM WITH ONE SERPENTINE BELT FOR EVERYTHING. MY BILL FOR REPAIRS IS IN EXCESS OF $800.00, OF WHICH THE COMPRESSOR IS OVER $500.00. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE HOW MANY CONTOUR OWNERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. IT'S NO WONDER THAT ANOTHER EMPLOYEE OF ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WARNED ME TO GET RID OF THAT "THING" AS SOON AS YOU CAN. DOES NOT SPEAK WELL FOR FORD. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *AK

• 11/23/2001· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. *AK CONSUMER STATES AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, CONSUMER SHUT ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED VEHICLE TO FIND THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING, DEALER DROVE VEHICLE OVER 100 MILES AND AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE SHE HAS TO SIT CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. *SLC

• 11/19/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATED WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A "CLICKING" NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED BACK INTO DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER HAD BROKEN. TS

• 11/16/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED A BAR IN THE REAR BRAKES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.ALSO, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE PINS IN THE REAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 11/15/1999· PARKING BRAKE

  AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE DISINGAGED AND TRAVELED OUT OF PARK INTO STREET. DEAREL HAS BEEN CONTACETD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

• 11/12/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BOUGHT A 1997 FORD CONTOUR AND 4 DAYS LATER THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. AFTER BEING IN SHOP OVER A MONTH AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS REPAIRED I FINALLY GOT CAR BACK AND THE VERY NEXT DAY THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AGAIN WITHIN 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. *TR

• 11/07/1996· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. *AK

• 11/05/2001· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/04/2003· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

• 11/03/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD GROUND IN THE MAIN LINE HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

• 11/03/2000· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. MAY 1ST, JUNE 26TH AND AUGUST 17TH/2000. EACH TIME TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. *CJ

• 11/03/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THEY REPLACED A PART, IT STILLED DIED ON THEM BUT THEY SAID IT WAS DYING BECAUSE OF THE PART AND IT WOULD BEING TO WORK AFTER THE CAR ADJUSTED TO THE NEW PART. THAT I FEEL IS VERY INAPPROPRIATE AND THE PROBLEM SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED, THERE RESPONSE DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL SAFE WITH MY 18 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. ESPICALLY SINCE THE OTHER DAY THE CAR DIED AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND WE ALSO MOST WENT IN A POND. NOW THE COMPNAY WILL NOT EVAN CALL ME BACK.

• 10/30/2000· TIRES

  EXTREME INSIDE SHOULDER WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES HAS GONE UNDETECTED UNTIL ACTUAL TIRE FAILURE. ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED 3 TIMES BY DIFFERENT SPECIALISTS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE FORD MONDEO (CONTOUR) AND FIESTA ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THIS DEFECT. I FEEL THAT THIS HAS VERY SERIOUS POTENTIAL AND NEED TO GET MY CONCERNS ACROSS TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I AM CURRENTLY LIVING IN EUROPE AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A EUROPEAN CAR. THE FRENCH FORD DEALERS ARE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ESPECIALLY AS MY FRENCH IS NOT BRILLIANT. PLEASE HELP PROVIDE A CONTACT EITHER AT FORD US OR POSSIBLY FORD GB OR SOME EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AGENCY. MANY THANKS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

• 10/29/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AC FAN / BLOWER SPEED SWITCH FAILED AT THE 3RD SPEED SETTING, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE CONTROL ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED.

• 10/29/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED INCLUDE; FAILURE OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FAILURE OF CLOCK LIGHT, FAILURE OF ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IGNITING WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED.

• 10/27/1998· VISIBILITY

  DISCOVERED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD, WITH NO OBVIOUS CAUSE. WENT TO NEAREST FORD DEALER (NOT SELLING DEALER), AND HAD THEM INSPECT IT. THEIR BODY SHOP CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS CRACKED THROUGH BOTH INNER AND OUTER GLASS LAYERS, AND THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY

• 10/27/1997· SUSPENSION

  SUSPENSION FAILED RESULTING IN TIRE WEAR.

• 10/26/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

• 10/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ROTORS ARE WARPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THREE SETS OF ROTORS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

• 10/25/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #99V103000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS, WHICH WAS DONE. THE REMEDY HAD FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES AFTERWARDS. EACH TIME THE REMEDY FAILED. MECHANIC IS ORDERING A DIFFERENT LIGHT SWITCH AFTER PUTTING IN RELAY SWITCH. *AK

• 10/23/2002· WHEELS

  CONSUMER WHILE TRAVELING NOTICE VEHICLE WOBBLING AND MAKING NOISE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE RIM WITH CRAKES. CONSUMERS REPLACE THREE RIMS AT OWN EXPENSE. MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. MR

• 10/23/1998· STRUCTURE

  BODY CONTAINS TINY RUST SPOTS ALL OVER IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WAXED THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASED. ONE SPOT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED DOWN TO THE METAL. LOCATED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE RIGHT REAR DOOR.VEHICLE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 3YRS/75000 MILES.

• 10/22/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING AND THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *YC

• 10/22/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. MJS

• 10/17/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. RECALL # 97V067000. *AK

• 10/15/2003· POWER TRAIN

  CD4E TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD CONTOUR GL (SAME COMPLAINT AS THE C4DE IN THE MAZDA 626). TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT DUE TO THE TSS SENSOR BREAKING AND FALLING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION - WHICH STOPPED THE PUMP AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE SENSOR IS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDERWELL, WHERE IT IS EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. NOT A GOOD DESIGN. FURTHERMORE, THE REPAIR COSTS $3000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ALL THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE FORD PUT THE SENSOR IN A POSITION WHERE IT CAN BREAK AND CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. IT'S A LOUSY DESIGN. THE SENSOR SHOULD BE SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD - NOT IN THE FENDERWELL. *LA

• 10/15/2001· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE PULLING VEHICLE OUT OF A STOP TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 10/13/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DASH PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SHORTLY AFTER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, HE WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

• 10/11/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE REPLACEMENT/ I HAVE BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN FORD PRODUCTS AND STILL BELIEVE THAT FORD MAKES A GOOD PRODUCT...I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE POSITION I WAS PLACED IN LAST WEEK...I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY FORD TRUCK THE BEST THAT I COULD AND NEVER HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT FOR THE 6 YRS I HAVE OWNED MY TRUCK...I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FEW STALL OUTS A FEW TIMES BUT NOTHING THAT I TOOK TO SERIOUS, I FIGURED MAYBE A SPARK PLUG PROBLEM...THE FACT THAT MY ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AT 86000 IS BEYOND ME. LOOKING INTO THE COMPLAIANCE INVETIGATIONS SUMMARY I REALIZED THAT I AM IN COMPANY WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT...I FEEL THAT THIS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT ENGINE. MR

• 10/11/2000· SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  REAR SUSPENSION CREAKING NOISE HAS BEEN PERSISTANT, "FIXED" 4 TIMES BY DEALER, YET PROBLEM PERSISTS; FUEL GAUGE FLOATS CANNOT SEEM TO BE FIXED (3 NEW GUAGES, 2 FUEL SENDERS, 1 NEW FUEL TANK & FLOAT). *AK