Ford Contour Complaints
3,154 consumer complaints on file.
- #10142779November 15, 2005STRUCTURE
DASH WARP / CURL / DELAMINATION DISLODGES DEFROSTER VENT PANEL. UNDER HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS AND DURING RAIN EVENTS, THE DEFROSTER / DEFOGGING SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED AND VISIBILITY IS POOR. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10142592November 14, 2005STRUCTURE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD DELAMINATED FROM THE FOAM. THE DASHBOARD LAMINATE WAS PUSHING UPWARD, THUS HINDERING THE CONTACT'S VISION THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER REVIEW, AND THAT IT WAS COSMETIC. ALSO, HE IS ALSO EXPERIENCED FUEL PUMP AND WATER PUMP PROBLEMS. UNDER HARD ACCELERATION THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. THE BEARINGS ON THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *AK.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10142373November 10, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, STRUCTURE
NHTSA WEBSITE CONFIRMS 79 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF FORD'S KNOWN MANUFACTURE DEFECTS IN DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COMPROMISES THE OCCUPANT/PEDESTRIAN SAFTEY: WARPED DASH PANEL AND SPRUNG OUT FRONT DEFROST GRILL OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VIEW; LOOSE GRILL STRIKES WINDSHIELD WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND COULD BREAK IT; DEFLECTS PROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; PROPER AIRFLOW OF DEFROST IS DEFLECTED; FORD KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURES AND SELLS DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. THEN IMMEDIATELY ISSUES A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" NOTICE (IN THIS CASE CPS # 01B78) THAT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE DESIGNED TO PREEMPT MANIFESTATION OF THE DEFECTS BY THE CUSTOMER. ON MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE, THE DEFROSTER GRILL HAS SPRUNG OUT AND JUTS OUT OF ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE AIRFLOW FROM DEFROST MECHANISM IS OBSTRUCTED. DASHBOARD WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH THE FISSURE SPREADING TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINED TO DO REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE, STATING FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE BECAUSE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM EXPIRED AUGUST 2002. INSTEAD, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED ME THE LOYAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DEAL OF MAKING THE REPAIR FOR COST OF ONLY $1638.12. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 1999 FOR $18077.16 (FINANCED PRICE OF $24318.40)!!! MY CAR LOAN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL FEBRUARY 2004 WITH NO LATE PAYMENTS. MY VEHICLE'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE BY THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I AM A SECOND TIME FORD OWNER; MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A 1992 FORD TEMPO. HOWEVER, LORD WILLING, THE 1999 CONTOUR WILL BE MY LAST. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I INCURRED SELDOM USED A/C REPAIR $275 FAULTY ENGINE LIGHT 02 SENSORS REPLACE $500 DEALER CUT BRAKE ROTERS TOO LOW $800. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10141791November 4, 2005UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AUGUST 2001 FORD NOTIFIED US OF A DEFECT IN THE COVER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THAT THE PANEL MAY WARP AND COME UNDONE FIRST AROUND THE DEFROSTER GRILL OPENING. FORD IDENTIFIED PROGRAM #01B78 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AS INSTRUCTED BY LETTER AND SERVICE WAS DENIED AS THE GAP IN THE WARPAGE WAS ONLY 1.75 AND NEEDED TO BE 2 IN ORDER TO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN 2005 THE DASHBOARD PANEL HAS COMPLETELY WARPED UP AND OFF. IT OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION THROUGH WINDSHIELD AND PREVENTS THE DEFROSTER FROM WORKING PROPERLY. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER KNOWN DEFECT NOW. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10141808November 4, 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DETERIORATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS, FORD CONTOUR 95 WERE MADE WITH A DEFICIENT ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ISOLATION SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS ! SHORT CIRCUITS! THEY JUST EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, MY CAR HAS ONLY 45,000 AND THE WIRING HARNESS IS IN SUCH BAD CONDITIONS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AS RECOMMENDED BY MECHANICS. THE FORD AND DEALER SAYS IT HAS TO BE CHANGED OUTSIDE OF THE ALREADY EXPIRED WARRANTY, ABOUT 3,500 DOLLARS (BY TROPICAL FORD IN ORLANDO) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, THE CAR PRICE IS 3,500 D. ( TOTAL LOST) IT IS FABRICATION DEFECT , THE CAR HAS ONLY 45,000. WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL ? THE AFFECTED CUSTOMERS WERE NOT TOLD THE CAR WILL EXPIRE IN 2005! BECAUSE NOBODY WILL PAY THE CAR VALUE TO FIX IT! I SHOULD KEEP DRIVING UNTIL THE SHORT CIRCUIT COMES ! WOULD YOU BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS CAR? I BELIEVE IT IS NOT FAIR! FORD SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM IF THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 M AT LEAST! CURRENTLY I HAVE LIGHTS TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES ON MY DASHBOARD!*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10141514November 2, 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 01V230000 . THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO FIX THE RECALL AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AND IT REQUIRED THEM TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. SHE DID NOT START EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM UNTIL 2005. THE BLOWER DID NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. THE NEW OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WANT TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE VINE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER IT EXPIRED. THEY SAID THAT THE TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL WAS EITHER THE FIRST SIX YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED OR 72,000 MILES. THEREFORE, THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THE TIME LIMIT. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10141250October 31, 2005TIRES:MARKINGS
HELLO, I AM THE CUSTOMS ADVISOR FOR MY BASE AND HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S TIRES DO NOT HAVE THE LETTERS "DOT" IMPRINTED ON THE SIDEWALL. THEY ARE ON THE DATABASE OF COMPLIANT TIRES AND HAVE RATINGS WITHIN STANDARDS. CAN THESE TIRES BE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S.? *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10141324October 31, 2005STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD WARPED. IT TOUCHED THE WINDSHIELD, AND WAS PULLING THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG PIECE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. THE LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN ON SINCE. HE STATED NOW THAT HE WAS USING THE DEFROSTER, IT WAS COMING UP MORE. OFTEN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10140962October 27, 2005LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR HANDLES DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY, AND NOW RESULTED IN A COMPLETE FAILURE ON TWO OF THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE MUST HAVE BOTH THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH PULLED TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE DEALER WAS REPLACING THE DOOR LATCHES AT THIS TIME. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10138164October 26, 2005STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
DT: WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CONSUMER COULD NOT MAKE A RIGHT TURN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING RACK BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, DID A POWER STEERING FLUSH. *AK *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10140997October 14, 2005STRUCTURE
CONSUMER DASH BOARD PANEL POPPED UP. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE HE DIDN'T REPLY TO THE RECALL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10139606October 13, 2005UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR IS WARPED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DASHBOARD IS PEELING BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAS CAUSED MY DEFROST TO WORK IMPROPERLY, MAKING VISIBILITY POOR WHENEVER THE DEFROST WOULD BE NEEDED. FORD HAS REFUSED TO HELP FIX IT ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" THAT EXPIRED AROUND THE TIME THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL CONTOUR OWNERS AS WELL AS ALL ON THE ROAD. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10139352October 11, 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATES THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND THIS WAS HOW THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. RECALL 01V230000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED IT WILL COST $1700 TO FIX IT. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIRE YET, BUT THIS COULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE RECALL.*AK UPDATED 11/16/2005. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10139935October 7, 2005UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1999 FORD CONTOUR DASHBOARD BUCKLED AND CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY, IF AT ALL. *TS *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10138132September 29, 2005STRUCTURE
1) NO EVENT YET. 2) THE DASH IS CURLED AND PULLED AWAY FROM WINDSHIELD TO THE POINT THE DEFROSTERS CAN'T WORK. THE ENTIRE FRONT DASH ASSEMBLY HAS TWISTED UNTIL THERE IS TENSION ON THE AIRBAGS, STEERING WHEEL, STEREO HAS FALLEN OUT, NO VENTING WORKS. SO MUCH DISTORTION THAT WE ARE FEARFUL OF THE AIR BAGS RELEASING ANY TIME THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP. 3) I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR OTHER MAINTENANCE ISSUES THE FIRST YEAR AND ASKED HIM ABOUT THE DASH, WHY IT WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE CAR. HE COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT. THREE TIMES THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION. THE FOLLOWING YEAR HE MENTIONED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE DASHBOARD, BUT STATED "IT'S TOO LATE NOW, IT ENDED IN OCTOBER". I WENT TO THE OWNER OF THE COMMUNITY FORD WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME I HAD TO "GO TO THE MANUFACTURER, FORD" AND GET THE DASH REPLACED." I'VE CONTACTED FORD MOTORS VIA-E-MAIL, AND GET NO RESPONSE. 4) THE DEFROSTERS CAN'T OPERATE BECAUSE THE DASH HAS CURLED AND BLOCKS AIR FROM REACHING THE GLASS. VISIBILITY IS OBSTRUCTED. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE MOVEMENT AND DISTORTION OF THE ENTIRE FRONT DASH IS DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY FOR FEAR OF THE AIR BAGS RELEASING OR THE DASH JUST SIMPLY FALLING INTO OUR LAPS WHILE WE ARE TRAVELING. 5) I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND THESE PROBLEMS STARTED WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. I'VE HEARD OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF VEHICLE. 6) I LIKE THE CAR, HAS GOOD GAS MILEAGE, ETC., AND CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. THE SAFETY ISSUES NEED TO BE DEALT WITH. 7) SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED DRIVING THIS CAR. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10138140September 29, 2005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR THAT HAD CRACKS IN THE FLYWHEEL ALONG THE REAR AREA OF THE MOTOR. THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FLYWHEEL. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS CRACKING IT IS NEAR THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE FLYWHEEL ONTO THE MOTOR. THIS HAPPENED FROM HOLE TO HOLE AS IF IT WAS AT A FATIGUED POINT. WAS REPLACED AT 40,000 KILOMETERS, AND THE SECOND FLYWHEEL NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 126,000 KILOMETERS. THERE WERE NO OTHER APPARENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE OTHER THEN THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING ON BOTH THE ORIGINAL FLYWHEELS AND THE REPLACEMENT. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10127264September 29, 2005STRUCTURE
DT: CONSUMER OWNED 1999 FORD CONTOUR. DASHBOARD WARPED BLOCKING THE DEFOGGER/DEFROSTER VENT. THE CONSUMER KNEW OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SIX MONTHS AGO. *AK *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10137955September 28, 2005SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A REAR COIL SPRING PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH COIL SPRINGS BE REPLACED. A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS ISSUED, BUT NOT ON THE REAR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY TYPE OF SERVICE UNDER A RECALL, AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THIS DECISION BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10137589September 26, 2005INTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1997 FORD CONTOUR WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, AND FORD TOLD HER THAT THE TAILLIGHTS WERE ON RECALL 99V133000 AND WAS ALREADY FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, AND SHE WANTED SOME ONE TO FIX IT. THE CONSUMER HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW BEING CHECKED.*AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10137420September 23, 2005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I INADVERTENTLY FOUND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY IN MY CAR TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT HAVING THE GEAR IN PARK AND JUST HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE, MY CAR ROLLED A FEW FEET INTO MY GARAGE AND I REALIZED THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. I CONTACTED MY REPAIR SHOP ABOUT THE IGNITION ISSUE. THEY INFORMED THERE WAS AN OLD RECALL ON MY VEHICLES' MAKE/MODEL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND LOCATED NHTSA'S INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO CAMPAIGN 99V060000. I CONTACTED FOR. THEY INFORMED ME MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL, THAT THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION WHETHER MY CAR'S MAKE/MODEL HAD EVER BEEN IN A RECALL AND THAT NO ON IN THE ENTIRE FORD MOTOR COMPANY COULD TELL ME, NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY REFERRAL SITES FOR ME TO FIND THIS INFORMATION. I STILL NEED TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0