Page 2 of 5 · complaints 51–100 of 218

1997 Ford Contour complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 11, 2002MD

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Sep 9, 2002SD

CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR FAILED, CAUSING SHIFTER TO BE STUCK IN GEAR.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Aug 16, 2002MA

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKE DISC PADS, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Jul 31, 2002CA

TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS DUE TO LIGHT SWITCH HARNESS CONNECTORS MELTING, SHORTING OUT THE WIRES.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jul 29, 2002NY

FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILTY BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OUT OF EXTENDED WARANTY AT 75,000. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 21, 2002WA

TWICE NOW, I HAVE FELT THE ENGINE SURGE AND REV UP, POWERING FORWARD, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. INCIDENTS WERE APPROX. 2 MONTHS APART. IF I HAD NOT HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED HARD, WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR OR A CEMENT BARRIER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT WANT TO GET IT ON RECORD SOMEWHERE, AND FIND OUT IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jun 20, 2002LA

THERE IS A SPRING CLIP THAT BELONGS WITH TENSIONER BELT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THERE COMES A KNOCKING NOISE AND SHAKING FROM VEHICLE WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 10, 2002MA

POWER LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN DOORS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE LATCH. *AK THE DOORS ARE NOT POWER BUT OPERATE MANUALLY. WHEN INSIDE OF VEHICLE THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. IF YOU PUSH THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS THEY STILL DO NOT UNLOCK. DOORS WILL ONLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH A KEY AFTER UNLOCKING THEM. *JG

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 23, 2002IL

THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST CAR WE EVER OWNED. RECENTLY THE A/C COMPRESSOR MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1200 TO FIX. THEY THEN SAID IT WOULD ONLY BE $950 BECAUSE SOME PARTS WERE NOT NEEDED. WE LATER FOUND OUT A/C ISN'T FIXED AND THE DEALER IS DEMANDING AN ADDITIONAL $1200 TO FIX BECAUSE THEY SAID WE REFUSED TO FIX THE A/C THE FIRST TIME AROUND. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WE PAID FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN!!!*JB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 30, 2002NJ

REMEDY FOR RECALL IS NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED. THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CYLINDER LIKE CASE AROUND COIL THAT ARE ABOUT 1 OR TWO INCHES AWAY FROM TIRE ITSELF. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 4, 2002TX

DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE UNDER SAFETY LIABILITY. CLAIMS NOT UNDER WARRANTY >50K MILES. THE SEAT BELT IN A CAR SHOULD NEVER FAIL, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH, THE RED RELEASE BUTTON DOESN'T MOVE. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 24, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXHIBITS PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END, THE SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, THE BEARINGS WERE BEING REPLACED ONE AFTER THE OTHER SO THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THEM BOTH REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME TO EVEN OUT THE WEAR, HOWEVER FORD DECLINED, NOW THERE IS A NOISE IN THE FRONT END THAT CAN NOT BE REMEDIED, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS AT CONSUMERS COST, HOWEVER WILL NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR THE UNNECESSARY REPAIRS MADE TO TRY AND FIX THE NOISE. *SLC

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jan 23, 2002SC

I AM TRYING TO FIND ANY INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO AUTOMOBILES THAT HAVE DUAL/ALTERATIVE FUEL SYSTEMS. MY VEHICLE HAS A PROPANE TANK IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR, AND RUNS ON EITHER GASOLINE OR PROPANE BY FLIPPING A SWITCH LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS - CUTTING OFF WHILE IDILING. NONE OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERS WILL WORK ON THE AUTO BECUASE THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO ONE TRAINED ON THESE TYPE OF FUEL SYSTEMS, AND HAVE NO INFORMATION ON FORD HAVING EVER MANUFACTURED A VEHICLE WITH THESE TYPE ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 23, 2002CA

BOUGHT CAR 4MONTHS AGO, AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ALREADY. REQUESTED TEST REPORTS FROM DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALL. TRANSMISSION CAN NOT BE SAVE AND IT DIED WITHOUT WARNING, WELL COST 2600.00 TO GET NEW ONE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Dec 31, 2001CA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 31, 2001CA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Dec 24, 2001NM

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.

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Dec 17, 2001MI

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

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Dec 15, 2001MI

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 PR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 11, 2001CA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 11, 2001CA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 11, 2001CA

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

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Nov 28, 2001MI

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

Air Bags
Filed Nov 23, 2001NC

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 2001SD

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 2001MA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Oct 4, 2001FL

TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT LEVER BUTTON WOULD STICK MAKING IT VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK INTO GEAR REPAIR DONE BY FORD REPLACED SHIFT ACTUATOR & SOLENOID. TURN SIGNAL MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN SIGNAL NOT IS USE. SIGNALS DO WORK.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2001CA

WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. *SLC

Electrical System
Filed Sep 18, 2001FL

WIRES INSIDE OF BATTERY WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN HE STARTING VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Sep 14, 2001FL

WIRES ATTACHED TO ENGINE WERE MISSING AND DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 13, 2001CA

ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STALLED PREMATURELY. *AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Sep 6, 2001AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 01V230000, AND CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE SERVICED. DEALERSHIP REFUSED SERVICE BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS NOT EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL. *AK *SLC

Power Train
Filed Sep 6, 2001NJ

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACE SENSOR, IAC VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, TRANSMISSION, SHIFT ASSEMBLE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 5, 2001PA

AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

Tires
Filed Aug 21, 2001NY

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE INSIDE WALL HAS A HUGE BUBBLE (FIRESTONE GTA FIREHAWK,TIRE SIZE P205-60R15).

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element
Filed Aug 13, 2001PA

DURING REPLACEMENT OF HEATER BLOWER SWITCH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND CHARRED BLACK. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element
Filed Aug 10, 2001IN

HEATER SWITCH RECALL - FORD IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE A FAULTY SWITCH THAT WAS RECALLED UNDER THIER PROGRAM M - THE RECALL LETTER WAS NOT SENT OUT TO ME. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN COLUMBUS OH. THE RECALL SWITCH CAN CAUSE POTNTIAL FIRES AND IS CURRENTLY BAD IN MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND TO A MANAGER, WHO WAS VERY RUD TO ME OVER THE PHONE AND OFFERED NO HELP. SHE STATED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR PROGRAM M RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MADE IN THE SAME FACTORY AS THE OTHER CARS COVERED BY THE PROGEM M . BUT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE FIRES. FORD IS UNHELPFUL AND UNWILLING TO FIX A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART ON MY CAR. IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED UNDER THIS PROGRAM BACK IN 1999 WHEN THE LETTER WAS SENT OUT THEN THE SWITCH WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, SINCE IT HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR OVER ONE YEAR. THE VIN NUMBER IS 1FLAP67LXVK103696.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 24, 2001OH

WHILE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS JUST THE PART ITSELF THAT WENT OUT.(DAUGHTER ON BEHALF OF MOTHER)*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 10, 2001OH

I REQUESTED FOR THE AUTO TO BE RETURNED DUE TO DEFACT OF THE ENGINE PART AND NOT HAVE NEGATIVE REPORT. MY DAUHGHTER, LA TOSHA D. WRIGHT IS HANDLING MY AFFAIRS DUE TO ME HAVING CONGESTED HEART FAILURE. SHE WAS DRIVING THE AUTO WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. I ALSO HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FORD'S AUTO. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, FORD PROCLAIM THAT THERE ARE NOT RESPONBILE FOR THEIR PARTS AFTER WARRANTY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS SAYING THAT FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE PARTS AND PRODUCTS FOR THE AUTOS. TO MY UNDERSTANDING THE CONTOURS ARE NO LONGER BEING MADE. WHY? IS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF RECALLS AND DEFACTS OF THEIR AUTO PARTS. PLEASE SEND ME A LIST OF COMPLIANTS ALSO AGAINST FORD REGARDING THEIR CONTOURS. THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S CARELESS OF PRODUCTION. I DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE ANY MORE FORDS. LATOSHA WROTE A LETTER TO JACK NASSAR, CEO OF FORD, ON JUNE 21, 2001 AT 16800 EXECUTIVE PLAZA DRIVE, PO BOX 6248, DEARBORN, MI 48212 AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 9, 2001CO

THERE IS A FUEL SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR 4 TIMES, AND ONCE COOLANT SENSOR.BUT, IT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 6, 2001ME

FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED TIRE TO EXPLODE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Jul 3, 2001MN

RECALL 98 V 233 000/SHIFT LEVEL DAMAGE: REPORTING DIFFICULTY WITH SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR FROM PARK POSITION AND/OR INDICATOR NOT CORRECTLY INDICATD ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THAT RECALL. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 21, 2001MN

CONSUMER WAS GOING 55MPH WHEN DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED.CONSUMER HELD IT CLOSED AND CONTINUED DRIVING. CONSUMER HAD TO LEAN AGAINST DOOR TO LOCK DOOR.*AK *SLC

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jun 6, 2001GA

I CARRIED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER COMPLETED THE RECALL WORK, BUT DID BILL FORD FOR IT. THE DEALERSHIP LATER OFFERED TO FIX THE SYMPTOMS THAT THE FAULTY PARTS WERE CAUSING FOR A FEE OR $279. I DID NOT HAVE $279 AT THE TIME TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE SO I PURCHASED THE PARTS FOR $101. AFTER I HAD INSTALLED THE PARTS, I SAW A NOTE IN THE PACKAGE THAT DESCRIBED WHAT THE DEALER SOLD TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY SOLD ME THE RECALL REPAIR KIT. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND ORIGINAL PART TO PROVE THIS IS THE CASE. *AK ALSO TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE,HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT, CONSUMER STATES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WARRANTY WORK , CONSUMER STATES HE HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE RECALLED PART AND THAT HTE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK, THAT THEY CLAIM THEY REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS BILLED FOR THE WARRANTY REPAIRS.*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 16, 2001VA

OVERDRIVE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY COMES ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND ALLOW CONSUMER TO DRIVE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BURNED OUT, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, GEAR SHIFT HAD TO BE FORCED INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO OPERATE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOLD VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALL LISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 2001VA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR. ALSO, WHEN IN PARK VEHICLE IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 2001VA

WE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YRS AND DURING THOSE YEARS WE HAVE COME ACROSS A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH IT.AFTER THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR, IT WOULD GET STUCK ON PARK AND WE WERE UNABLE A DRIVE IT A NUMBER OF TIMES.WE THEN PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES IN WHICH ONE OF THE FRONT TIRE SPLIT , WE THEN REPLACE ALL FOUR. WE THEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER AND FRONT LIGHTS. AFTER SEEING ALL THE NEGATIVE REPORTS OTHERS HAVE GIVEN ON THIS PARTICURLAR VEHICLE ONLINE WE FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.WE HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS AS TO WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN PUT THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WITHOUT HAVING AN INVESTIGATION DONE.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WE COULDN'T BELIEVE THEIR ATTITUDE, THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN TO OUR PROBLEM AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE US A QUOTE FOR 2200. TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THEY STATED NO. WE THEN SAW A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLINE, SO WE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SVC IN WHICH THEY THEN SAID THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED ON THIS RECALL. WE EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THIS RECALL STATED. THEY IN TURN CALLED THE MANAGER AT CROWELL'S WHO STATED THAT HE DIDN'T OFFER ANY DISCOUNT BECAUSE OF OUR ATTITUDES.HE THEN OFFER TO CHARGE 495.FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION PLUS 200.FOR ANY SERVICE CHARGE, ALSO A 28. PER DAY RENTAL. WHEN WE ASKED WHY HE LOWERED HIS PRICE SO DRASTICALLY THEY STATED THAT IF THE WORK WAS OVER 2200. THAT WAS THE A

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Apr 12, 2001ME

HEATER FAN CONTROL SWITCH BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUTDOWN WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT DEFECT RESULTED FROM FACTORY WIRING HARNESS BEING TOO SMALL A GUAGE OF WIRING TO CARRY ELECTRICAL LOAD. REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS WAS OF A HIGHER GUAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 26, 2001TN

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH HIT AN ENBANKMENT AND WENT UP RAILROAD TRACK , TEARING BUMPER., AND MADE A HOLE IN OIL PAN. ALSO ,ABOUT $3,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO FRONT END. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Mar 20, 2001SC

THE HEATER BLOWER WOULD ONLY WORK ON HIGH PRIOR TO TODAY, BUT NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1997 Ford Contour → · Every Contour year → · How the figures are calculated →