1995 Ford Contour complaints

1995 FORD CONTOUR. RECALL 99M03 (UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS) WAS COMPLETED BY FORD DEALERSHIP OCTOBER 2000. IN 2003 AND SINCE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ABS LIGHT COMES ON, BLOWS FUSES RANDOMLY, FINALLY THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND THE WIRING CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS FORD ONLY REPLACED PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE RECALL, NOT THE ENTIRE HARNESS AS THE INVOICE SHOWS. PART OF THE WIRING APPEARS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, WHILE SOME SECTIONS OF THE HARNESS ARE FRAYED, INSULATION IS FALLING OFF, AND BARE WIRE IS EXPOSED. IF THIS IS THE NORM AND NOT JUST AN INDIVIDUAL INCIDENT, IT IS A VERY MISLEADING AND DANGEROUS DECEPTION. IT WOULD APPEAR THEY ONLY PATCHED A PROBLEM THAT WAS, FOR SAFETY'S SAKE SUPPOSE TO BE REPLACED. THE INVOICE THAT WAS PROVIDED WHEN REPAIRS WERE DONE, DOES INDICATE THAT THE ENTIRE HARNESS WAS, IN FACT REPLACED. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, FORD HAS FAILED TO REPAIR WHAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THEY ONLY PATCHED THE PROBLEM. NOW THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HARNESS, BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT MAKE SECTIONS OF THE HARNESS AVAILABLE. THE WIRING HARNESS ON AN AUTOMOBILE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT AN OWNER SHOULD HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH FAILING. OF ALL THE AUTOMOBILES THAT CURRENTLY RESIDE IN SALVAGE YARDS, MOST OF WHICH ARE CONSIDERABLY OLDER THAN A 1995 CONTOUR, I WOULD SUSPECT THAT A VERY SMALL PERCENT ARE THERE BECAUSE OF A WIRING HARNESS FAILURE. I STILL HAVE THE ENTIRE HARNESS, PHOTOS OF TH

HESTITATES WHEN YOU PUT ON THE GAS,SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHES,SPITS AN SPUDERS

DT: CONTACT STATES THE WIRING HARNESS IS CRACKING , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING, GASOLINE FUMES FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR IS COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN WASHING THE VEHICLE IT GETS WATER INTO THE COMPUTER OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE.*AK

1995 FORD CONTOUR HAD FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. *MR DURING AN INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALLS. THE CONSUMER HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL FOR HIS 2001 FORD TAURUS FOR FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *BF *NM

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1995 FORD CONTOUR LOCKED UP SUDDENLY ONE EVENING RECENTLY. TRANS SHOP REBUILT THE TRANS FOR ME. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM WITH BAD NEWS. THE BAD NEWS WAS THAT THE MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS BEING DAMAGED. IT WAS DAMAGED IN A WAY THAT THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE CAUGHT THE VEHICLE ON FIRE, AND APPARENTLY LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE TRANS (I AM NOT MECAHNIC, SO I CAN ONLY GO WITH WHAT I GATHERED FROM THEM). FORD HAD ISSUED PROGRAM 99M03 WHICH COVERED ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS FAILURES. THIS PROGRAM WAS FOR 10 YEARS/100K MILES. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY ACTION TOWARDS PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE (ALTHOUGH 10 YEARS OLD), HAS EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE (IT HAS 130K MILES). HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE MILES DRIVEN, BUT RATHER A POORLY ROUTED WIRING HARNESS. THE HARNESS WAS RUN UNDER THE BATTERY, AND THE SHOP SAYS IT APPEARS AS THOUGH IT WAS EATEN AWAY BY ACID OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. CAN YOU HELP ME GET THROUGH THE ENDLESS RED TAPE AT FORD? THS IS A QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FEEL REQUIRES BETTER "INVOLVEMENT" FROM FORD. *AK

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 95V232000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:PIPE:FILLER:NECK. AFTER HAVING THE FUEL TANK REPLACED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC

FAN MOTOR ON THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED TO COME ON ITS ON. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RECALL 00V367000 FOR THE FAN BLOWER EXPIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

FOUND ALL 4 SPRINGS BROKEN, THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRENTY ON FRONT BUT NOT ON THE REAR. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK

ALL 4 SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CONCERN. *AK

BOTH REAR SPRINGS WHERE BROKEN. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. CUSTOMER SAID THE FRONT SPRINGS HAD BEEN REPLACED AT AN EARLIER DATE. *AK

IN 2002, REAR SPRING BROKE ON HER 1995 FORD CONTOUR. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE BREAKAGE, UNTIL A REPAIR SHOP FIXING THE CAR FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM INFORMED US. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR SPRING. NOW, SEPT. 8, 2004 WHEN TAKING OUR 1995 FORD CONTOUR TO THE SHOP FOR NOISE AND DIFFICULTY DRIVING, WE FIND THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN. WE WERE ADVISED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED, NOT DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE/FRONT END SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT. AFTER GETTING SUSPICIOUS, I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH SPRINGS BREAKING ON THEIR FORD CONTOUR. THIS FORD CONTOUR HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT WE COULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM FOR REPLACEMENT. AT THAT POINT, OUR CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN DISASSEMBLED AND THE BAD SPRING REPLACED. WE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF A POSSIBLE FAILURE OF SPRINGS, LET A LONE TWO SPRINGS TO BREAK UNDER 60,000 MILES AND TWO YEARS APART. SO FAR FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST TO REIMBURSE US FOR ANY OF THE CHARGES FROM THE TIRE/FRONT END SHOP. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS FAILURE OF A SPRING IN THE BACK AND FRONT OF THIS FORD CONTOUR. NOW WE HAVE THREE NEW SPRINGS (REPLACED TWO IN FRONT AND ONE IN BACK), BUT STILL HAVE ONE OLD SPRING ON THE BACK WHICH HASN'T BEEN REPLACED. THIS SHOULD BE A SERIOUS RECALL, NOT A PROGRAM, AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. WE ACTUALLY HAD THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP IN 2001 FOR ANOTHER RECALL, SO I CAN'T FIGURE OUT

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH COOLING MOTOR OVERHEATED. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ROUGH. THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC. THE <A " WIRE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AC AND HEATING CONTROLS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER CONTROL BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *TC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERKED AND CHANGED GEARS ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY USED THE WRONG WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WIRING THAT WAS USED CAN NOT WITHSTAND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS THAT IT IS EXPOSED TO HEAT. FORD MOTOR IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY AND ISSUED A "CAMPAIGN", NOT A RECALL ON THE WIRING, THAT WILL COVER CONSUMERS FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL OWNERS PURCHASE OR 100000 MILES. FORD INFORMED ME THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WIRING OR RELATED SYMPTONS ARE MADE. THIS IS MALICIOUS ACT ON BEHALF OF THE FORD CO TO THEIR CONSUMERS. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ISSUING A TRUE RECALL COULD RESULT IN BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING BRIEF LISTING: 1) FIRE RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH OF OCCUPANTS FROM ARCING WIRES DUES DUE TO BROKEN, CRACKED, AND DAMAGED INSULATION. 2) CRASH RESULTING IN DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR OTHER VEHICLE(S) INVOLVED DUE TO UNEXPECTED STALLING OF VEHICLE ON ROADWAY. 3) CRASH RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE DUE TO UNEXPECTED STALLING OF VEHICLE WHILE BEING OPERATED. TO SUMMARIZE PEOPLE CAN DIE, BE PARALYZED OR SEVERLY INJURED BECAUSE OF FORD'S DESIRE TO SAVE MONEY AND DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MANUFACTURING/ ENGINEERING FLAWS. A SIMPLE "CAMPAIGN" IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY BECOME INNOCENT VICTIMS. FORD INSTALLED THE I

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CLOUDED FROM THE INSIDE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE DUE TO HEADLIGHT CLOUDING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LENSES WERE REPLACED. *AK *NM

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO USE THE POWER CONTROL TO ROLL UP THE WINDOWS. CONSUMER HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE WINDOW UP TO CLOSE. IT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

AIR BAG MODULE (DRIVER SIDE) COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS (FORD) AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT CAUSE THE VIBRATION INSIDE (FRONT) OF CAR. ON 4-17-04 THE CENTER OF THE AIR MODULE POPPED OUT WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THE SCREWS HAD WORK THEIR WAY LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. SPEAKERS IN CAR SAME SHAPE, PLAY ONE SIDE TODAY AND VICE VERUS.PLEASE ADVICE ON THIS MATTER. THANKS, KATHY HUNDLEY. *AK

FRONT SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST CONSUMER. *AK

MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MANY YEARS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET ALLOWED ME TO FIND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. IT APPEARS TO NOT BE SPECIFIC TO ANY ONE MODEL YEAR. MY VEHICLE IS A 1995, BUT I HAVE SEEN INTERNET QUERIES FOR MANY OTHER NEWER VEHICLES. WHAT IS IN COMMON IS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE FORD CONTOUR IS FAULTY CAUSING ONE TO HAVE TO SPEND $4,000 TO GET IT REPAIRED, OR DRIVE WITH LESS AFFECTIVE BRAKES. HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER QUERIES ABOUT THE FORD CONTOUR ABS FAILURE?*AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK FLOORBOARD BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, HE WAS SHOWN A RECALL NOTICE, WHICH HE THOUGHT COVERED THIS VEHICLE. BUT WHEN CONSUMER CALLED FORD, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

THE CAR WILL NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. WE HAVE CALLED AAA, REPLACED THE BATTERY, SCOPED THE VEHICLE, ETC., BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY. MY DAUGHTER HAS PARKED THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES, IF YOU WAIT 20-30 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START UP, BUT YOU CANNOT BE SURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SCOPED AND SINCE THE NON-CRANKING EPISODES HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, THEY CANNOT SEEM TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. THE FREQUENCY OF NON-STARTS IS INCREASING AND THE WAIT TIME TO TRY TO RESTART IT HAS INCREASED TO AN HOUR. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE NO ONE CAN PREDICT WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT START OR WHEN IT WILL STOP. YESTERDAY, THE CAR ACTUALLY STOPPED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY, THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT WE WONDER IF THE PROBLEM IS ESCALATING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR THE STARTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OR SOLENOIDS, ETC SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. WE NEED FORD MOTOR COMPANY OR SOMEBODY WITH SOME EXPERTISE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING OR WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WE CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK/START. YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS; IT DOES NOT CRANK OR MAKE ANY NOISE AT ALL. IF YOU PARK THE CAR AND GO INSIDE, RETURN AND TRY TO START THE CAR, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES, IF YOU WAIT 20-30 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START UP, BUT YOU CANNOT BE SURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SCOPED AND VARIOUS REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, AND SINCE THE NON-CRANKING EPISODES HAPPEN SPORADICALLY, THEY HAVE NOT ISOLATED OR CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE FREQUENCY OF NON-CRANKING EPISODES IS INCREASING AND THE WAIT TIME TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IS NOW UP TO 1 HOUR. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE NO ONE CAN PREDICT WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT START OR WHEN IT WILL STOP. YESTERDAY, THE CAR STOPPED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE, SO THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE STARTER/IGNITION SYSTEM OR SOLENOIDS, ETC., SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. FORD MOTOR SERVICE CENTERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WE NEED SOMEONE WITH EXPERTISE TO DIAGNOSE AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

HVAC FAN UNDER DASH ON PASSENGERS SIDE HAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING TO THE FUSE BOX UNDER DASH ON DRIVERS SIDE. COULD OPEN AND CLOSE FUSE BOX TO GET FAN TO WORK THEN STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. REAR SEAT BELT LOCKS ALL FELL APART. PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. *AK

TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFTER CONTROL WAS DAMAGED, AND DID CORRESPOND WITH THE GEAR THAT VEHICLE WAS IN. RECALL 98V233000 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THERE WAS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *AK

MY 1995 CONTOUR GL V-6 SEDAN'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ONLY 43,000 MILES. AN INTERNAL PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. FORD APOLOGIZED BY OFFERED NO COMPENSATION.*AK

THE CAR HAS ALWAYS RUN HOT AND I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSOR FIXED AND A MONTH LATER I KNOW HAVE A BURNT OUT BLOWER MOTOR THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL AND THAN WAS TOLD I MISSED THE CUT OFF DATE TO FILE FOR A REPAIR, BOTTOM LINE I WASNT COVERED. I ALSO BROUGHT MY CAR IN A DAY BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND THEY DIDNT HONOR IT, I WAS TOLD IT WAS TOO LATE.

I'M A HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVER/OWNER OF FORD '95 CONTOUR GL (LOW-INCOMER, AVERAGE $21,000 A YEAR). I'VE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1997 FROM A MINNEAPOLIS-AREA FORD DEALERSHIP (QUALITY AUTO DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA). AT THE TIME, I HAD LESS THAN $10,000 TO PAY FOR A RECENT USED CAR(ONE THAT IS WITHIN 2-3 YEARS AFTER IT CAME ON THE MARKET). I TRIED OUT FEW CARS AND THE WHITE 1995 FORD CONTOUR GL. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT '95 FORD CONTOUR GL WAS A GOOD BUY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. I WAS WILLING TO TRADE UP MY OLD CAR TO REDUCE THE PRICE BUT IT WAS STILL TOO HIGH FOR ME SINCE IT DIDN'T INCLUDED OTHER FEES LIKE THE TITLE AND REGISTRATION LICENSE. AFTER A SHORT, PERSUASIVE NEGOTIATION, I GOT THE DEALER TO AGREE TO MARK DOWN TO $9995 AND I ACCEPTED THAT. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR. AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH IT, SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LATER TOLD ME THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STUNNED BUT THEY WERE WILLING TO DO THE REPAIR FOR FREE. IT TOOK ME A WEEK TO GET MY CAR BACK. EVERYTHING WENT FAIRLY FINE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS. IN 1999, THE AIR-CONDITIONER IN MY CAR STOPPED WORKING AND IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AT THE TIME. I MOVED TO COLUMBUS, OH IN JAN. 2000. FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, THAT CAR HAS BECOME A TROUBLE FOR ME. ONE REPAIR AFTER THE NEXT. THE BIGGEST REPAIR COST I'VE PAID OUT WAS $2060.43 TO REPLACE A FLYWHEEL. I HAVE TRIED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR BY TAKING IT TO JIFFY LUBE FOR OIL/CHECK-UPS EVER

I WAS REAR-ENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BUMPER REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME THAT FORD DISCONTINUED MY BUMPER MODEL, SO THEY REPAIRED IT INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT -- WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! SILVER PLASTIC STRIP THAT RUNS THROUGH CENTER OF BUMPER WAS RE-INSTALLED AS-IS - CRACKED - SINCE BUMPER WAS NOT BEING MADE ANYMORE AND NEW PART WASN'T AVAILABLE. BOTH HORNS WERE REPLACED, IN SPITE OF RARELY BEING USED. RUBBER WINDOW STRIPS LOOSEN, POP UP EASILY. ONE POWER WINDOW IN REAR CAN ONLY GO DOWN ABOUT 6 INCHES, SQUEAKING TERRIBLY AS IT MOVES DOWN; TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. OUTER GAS DOOR RELEASE STICKS. BOTH METHODS OF OPENING THE DOOR (FLOOR LEVER AND TRUNK STRAP) STOPPED WORKING THIS YEAR. PAID FOR REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP, BUT BOTH METHODS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AFTER A FEW DAYS. I NOW HAVE TO OPEN UP MY TRUNK EVERY TIME I GO TO THE GAS STATION, PULL THE RELEASE STRAP AND RAP LIGHTLY ON THE OUTER DOOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO POP OPEN. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A NEW REPAIR IN A FEW DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUGH IDLE AND STALLING. PROBLEM INVOLVES MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND/OR PCM, AND IS DETAILED IN TSB ARTICLE NO. 98-20-7. HAD CONTACTS CLEANED ON RADIATOR TANK AND DRIVER'S DOOR PANEL (BEEPING SIGNAL FOR WHEN DOOR OPENS AND KEY IS LEFT IN IGNITION STOPPED WORKING). HAD COMPLETE TUNE-UP AT DEALERSHIP THIS SUMMER, WITH MILEAGE AT ONLY 40,000. DRIVER'S SIDE SPEAKER WIRE HAS LOOSENED, WITH SOUND DRIFTING IN AND OUT DEPENDING ON BUMPS HIT ON THE ROAD. DRIVER'

THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT OF GEAR AT ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR (OD TRANSMISSION) AND THE VEHICLE &#34;BANGS AND SPUDDERS&#34;. ADDITIONAL, THE TEMPERTURE GAUGE HAS ALWAYS RUN HOT AND YET THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE FIND- MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS GOING TO BECOME MORE COSTLY. CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION- I DO LIVE IN MARYLAND AND AM REQUIRED TO HAVE A VEHICLE EMISSIONS INSPECTION THAT HAS THE VEHICLE PUT ON A DEVICE THAT TAKES THE VEHICLE TO HIGH SPEEDS!

AFTER GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND NO INSULATION ON THE WIRES WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. *AK

I HAVE A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. MY HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE GETTING SO CLOUDY I CAN HARDLY SEE WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I THINK THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE. REPLACEMENTS COST $98.00 FOR EACH SIDE. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE OR ANY RECALL ON THE LENS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *AK

REFUSAL OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REIMBURSE FOR BROKEN COIL SPRINGS.*MR THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED THE CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BROKEN COIL SPRINGS.*CB *JB

DEFECTIVE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS IN MY 1995 FORD INSULATION EVIDENTLY DOES NOT MEETS THE PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS NEEDED TO SURVIVE THE ENVIRONMANTAL CONDITIONS PRESENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALL WIRES ARE SHOWING EVIDENCE OF CRACKING AND BARE WIRES ARE ACTUALLY SHOWING THROUGH. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. FORD WILL NOT HONOR RECALL AS THEY SAY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS DID THE INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THEY MUST HAVE BEEN BLIND NOT TO SEE THIS CRACKING. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I'VE SEEN ON YOUR SITE, SUGGEST YOU INSTITUTE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.*AK

VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR CABLES NEED TO BE REPLACED.*MR THIS IS A SECOND REQUEST FOR AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THGE MATTER REFERRED TO IN THE EARLIER LETTER.*CB

CONSUMER HEARD ABOUT THE NOTIFICATION ON THE WIRE HARNESS. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR VEHICLE BECAUSE OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WIRING HARNESS WAS EFFECTING ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND MELTING WIRE INSULATION. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN NOTIFICATION 99M03 BECAUSE OF OVER MILEAGE AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

WATER PUMP FAILURES VERY COMMON AROUND 60K MILES, PLASTIC IMPELLER FAILURE, AND ENGINE OVERHEATS. *LA

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. REAR SEATBELTS HAVE FALLEN APART. HVAC FAN MOTOR DOESN'T WORK. ALSO, FAN MOTOR RELAY FAILS.

1995 FORD CONTOUR RECALL LETTER #99M03 ISSUED OCT.1999. I PURCHASED CAR APR.2001 WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL. MILEAGE WHEN PURCHASED, 98,042. MILEAGE WHEN WIRING HARNESS WAS DETERMINED AS PROBLEM, 121,869. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR PARTS AND LABOR THAT WAS NOT NECESSARY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A TOTAL OF 20 RECALLS AS OF JAN. 1995 ON MY VIN NUMBER. FORD MOTOR STATES RECALL #99M03, IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL AND EXPIRES AT 100,000 MILES. OTHER RECALLS EXTEND TO 150,000 MILES BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION COURTESY. THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED AND SOLD WITH A WIRING HARNESS DEFECT AND SEVERAL OTHER DEFECTS. BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED I WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL DEFECTS. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND NOT FORCE THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. THE CAR DOESN'T START BUT ALL LIGHT AND WARNING SIGNALS COME ON, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T TURN OFF AND DOOR LOCKS OR WINDOWS DON'T WORK. THE DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR AS WELL. BOYD'S AUTOMOTIVE WILL VERIFY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS, AND UNNECESSARY EXPENSES PAID BEFORE DISCOVERY OF DEFECT(S). TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION, ENFORCEMENT SECTION AND THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION, CONSUMER AFFAIRS SECTION, REFERRED MY COMPLAINT TO YOU BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS RECALLS. *JB

1995 FORD CONTOUR WAS PULLED OUT OF ONE OF OUR GARAGES AND INTO ANOTHER ONE. GOT OUT OF CAR WENT INSIDE - SOMEONE WALKING BY SAW A FIRE IN THE GARAGE. THIS BLAZE ALMOST BURNED DOWN OUR BUILDING. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS.FORD WONT BACK THEIR PRODUCT EVEN THOUGH WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WIRING HARNESS. WE ARE TOTALLY GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM FORDS SO CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY WONT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON THE CAR ARE OVER 100,00. QUALITY IS JOB 1 WITH FORD IS A JOKE. THEY KNEW THESE CARS ARE STARTING FIRES. LUCKY IT DIDNT KILL SOMEONE IN THE FIRE. IT TOOK 4 MEN TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE. I HAVE SEEN ALL OVER INTERNET AND NATIONAL NEWS STORIES ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I GUESS CAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGHT FATALITIES TO FIX THEIR PRODUCT. THIS WIRING HARNESS ALMOST BURNED DOWN OUR BUSINESS - WOULD FORD PAY IT - NO WAY - I TOLD CUSTOMER SERVICE I WAS GOING TO PUT THIS BURNED JOKE OF A CAR ON OUR FRONT LOT AND WRITE ON THE WINDSHIELD "QUALITY IS JOB 1" IF YOU DONT BURN UP IN ONE OF OUR VEHICLES.!! I WANT A RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER!!!!*AK

COOLING FAN INOPERATIVE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM A BEARING SEIZE. FAN WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE TWICE AND IS STILL INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO FAIL.*AK

VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR CABLES NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR DEALER NOTIFIED. *CB

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

MY FORD 95 SE 4-DOOR CONTOUR, CAME WITH P205/60RX15T BSW TIRES. I REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FRONT TIRES, WHICH WERE (FIRESTONE F-HAWK GTA BW-WTH SAME, AFTER 35 THOUSAND MILES. AFTER AN ADDITIONAL 15 THOUSNAND, I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL REAR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND NAME-ROTATING THE NEWER FIRESTONES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. AT 56 THOUSAND MILES THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLOWS OUT, AND THE TIRE SHOP SAID THAT BUBBLES ON THE INNER SIDEWALL PREVENTED THE TIRE FROM BEING REPAIRED. TWO DAYS LATER THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLOWS, AND I AM LEFT WITH-OUT A SPARE TIRE, WHICH IS WHEN I REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE 30.5 THOUSAND MILES PREVIOUSLY: HOGAN TIRE & AUTO SERVICE CENTERS, WALTHAM MASSUACHUSETTS, AND AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER. I NOW HAVE MISSMATCHED TIRES, ON MY CAR AS A RESULT OF PRELIMINARY TIRE WEAR AND BREAKDOWN. I WOULD LIKE A FIRESTONE DEALER TO PROVIDE ME WITH FOUR NEW TIRES, WHICH TO RESOLVE THE MY TIRE DIFFICULTIES. CORDIALLY GLENN CHESNUT. *AK

I BOUGHT A CAR ON AUG O8,2003. IT BROKE DOWN AN HOUR LATER ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO TINKS AND THE MECHANIC RUSS TOLD ME THAT THE WERE 20-30 WIRES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACE AND THAT THE CAR WAS NO GOOD. I WANTED MY MONEY BACK AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE CAR THE WARRANY IS FOR 30 DAYS.THEY FIXED THE CAR AND I GOT IT BACK ON AUG 14,2003. IT STALLED 4 TIMES AFTER I PICKED IT UP. THEY ALSO GAVE ME 4 KEYS THAT WOULD NOT OPEN THE CAR SO I WAS LOCKED OUT. THEY HAD TO BREAK INTO THE CAR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY. I HAD TO GO PHILLIPSBURG TO GET AN ID I HAD LOST. I WAS DRIVING IN THE THIRD LANE WHEN THE CAR JERKED AND STARTED SMOKING. THATS WHEN WE NOTICE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE.I GOT OVER TO THE SHOULDER WE GOT OUT. THE CAR WAS ON FIRE I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT MY KIDS,MYSELF, AND THIER FATHER WERE IN DANGER.WE I CALLED THE DEALER AND I TOLD ANTHONY WHAT HAPPEN ,HE HAD NO REMORS HE SAID I HOPE YOU HAD INSURANCE. NOT ASKING IF WE WERE OK. CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE HOW CAN HE CELL A CAR THAT CATCHES ON FIRE. THAT WAS A SCARY SITUATION AND I NEVER WANTED MY KIDS TO HAVE TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF IT WAS YOU. HELP ME PLEASE . *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK