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 1998 record →
FOR SEVERAL YEARS VEHICLE MADE A BANG WHEN GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP JUST ASSUMED IT WAS BUMPER ON SUSPENSION. TODAY I LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK STRAP HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND FROM THE LOOKS OF IT HAS BEEN GONE FOR A LONG TIME. THE BANG MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE TANK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED WITH 61K. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. IN MARCH OF 2006, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER NOT TO WORK. THE CONTACT JUST FOUND A SAFETY RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE AND WILL CALL THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF HIS VIN IS INCLUDED. THE VIN, POWERTRAIN, NHTSA RECALL NUMBER, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,207 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,300.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT RETURNING TO IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND, WHEN IT IS RELEASED, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO IDLE AT HIGH RPMS. THE THROTTLE ALSO STICKS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-80 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH DAY UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,653 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/12/07.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED COIL SPRING DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I013000) HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND MELTED HOUSING MATERIALS WERE FOUND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED FORD WHO STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND RECALL NOTICE AND REPLACED LEFT SPRING AND LEFT TIRE AT NO CHARGE. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT SPRING AND TIRE. CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO DEALER, WHO AGAIN REPLACED THE SPRING AND TIRE AT NO CHARGE AS THIS WAS A RECALL PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE RIGHT SPRING HAD BROKEN BECAUSE HE CLAIMED THAT THE RIGHT SPRING HAD BEEN AUTOMATICALLY CHANGED WHEN THE LEFT ONE FAILED AS PART OF THE RECALL SPRING REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. THAT MEANT THAT THE RIGHT SPRING FAILED AFTER BEING ON THE CAR ONLY 10 MONTHS. CAR IS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR LX. MILEAGE 75,000. THE CAR HAS PERFORMED FINE OTHER THAN THIS SPRING PROBLEM. *AK
TL*T HE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL WAS DAMAGED AFTER IT WAS SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR DETERIORATED , AND DID NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN 2ND GEAR THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN RECALL# 98V233000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *AK LEFT MESSAGE 10/16/07 *LJ.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. ONCE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING THE TIRE THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING DETACHED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE COIL SPRING. THERE WAS RECALL # 01I013000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 81,320.AK
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY COLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING A NEW PROCESSOR. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON.
TL*- THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER (MAROONE FORD) AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT SHE WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE REPAIRS.
I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT, THIS IS MY THIRD ONE. EVERY ONE I PURCHASE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, THE WIRES IN THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE COMPUTER AND CAR CRACK AND THE COATING JUST FALLS RIGHT OFF, WHICH ALLOWS THE WIRES TO THE COMPUTER TO TOUCH WHICH SHORTS THE COMPUTER AND MAKES THE CAR NO LONGER START, IT WILL CRANK BUT IT WILL NOT START CAUSE THE COMPUTER IN SHORTED AND CONFUSED SO THERE IS NO FUEL AND NO SPARK GOING TO THE FUEL RAIL OR THE COIL PACK. AT THIS POINT THE CAR NEEDS A WIRE HARNESS AND A PCM AND THIS ALL COSTS CLOSE TO $3000 OF WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TO FIX IT. MY FRIEND WORKED FOR GENERAL ELECTRIC AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AT THE FACTORY WHEN THE COATING IS HEATED TO HIGH ONCE IT DRYS ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE COATING CRACKS AND FLAKES OFF. FORD SAYS THEY WILL NOT HELP ME ALTHOUGH ITS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THESE SVT CONTOURS I AM HOPING THIS CAN HELP ALL US FORD LOVERS. *NM
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WINDOW CRANK SHAFT (MANUAL WINDOW) SNAPPED OFF CLEAN INSIDE REGULATOR LEAVING WINDOW UTTERLY INOPERABLE. THIS HAPPENED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF WINDOW DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS AND WARM WEATHER. DEALER CLAIMED "IT HAPPENS A LOT". VERY DANGEROUS IF VEHICLE WAS IN A FIRE, ACCIDENT, SUBMERGED IN WATER ETC. *JB
THERE'S A RECALL ON 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR ( #99M03 AT WWW.CONTOUR.ORG/FAQ/RECALL/99M0). THE RECALL IS FOR A COMPLETE ENGINE HARNESS FAILURE , DUE TO CRACKING AND BRITTLE WIRES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 06/97, AND I HAVE A COMPLETE WIRE HARNESS FAILURE. THEY WANT OVER $3000.00 TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THEY ARE ONLY COVERING SOME VEHICLE. THEY SHOULD COVER ALL CONTOUR'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MATTER THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD TO GET AWAY WITH. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED A SENSOR. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE HARNESS, COOLING FAN HARNESS, AND POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ALL POWER FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, ALONG WITH STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURES. THE SERVICE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE POWER FAILURE HAD HAPPENED 6 TIMES SINCE 2001. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT ILLUMINATION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME BRITTLE AND THE INSULATION CRACKED AND FELL OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE ALSO DISINTEGRATED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VIN DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (01V230000), FORD RECALL # 01S22. UPDATED 1/17/2007 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR'S PAINT IS PEELING AND STARTING TO RUST ON THE ROOF. *JB
THE HEADLIGHT IN THE CONSUMER'S 1998 FORD CONTOUR DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ENOUGH WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *KB VISIBILITY IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN BECAUSE THE LIGHTS FOG UP. THE CONSUMER HAS ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *NM
MY FAMILY AND I WERE MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM THE PARKING LOT OF A MOVIE THEATER TO A MODERATELY BUSY STREET. AFTER I COMPLETED THE TURN, I HEARD A LOUD "BANG", AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, AND I COULDN'T STOP. I COULD NOT GO FORWARD, OR BACK AROUND. THINKING THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BLOWN TIRED, I GOT OUT; IT WAS NOT. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, HE SAID THAT ONE OF THE STEERING RODS ON THE FRONT, RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL HAD BROKEN. HE REPLACED BOTH THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT STEERING RODS. *JB
AS OF TODAY MY CAR HAS 100250 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE CHECKUP AND HE FOUND THAT THE FRONT AND BACK COIL SPRING ARE DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED ASAP. I WENT TO THE WEB SITE (NHTSA) AND I FOUND THAT THESE CARS DON'T HAVE A SAFETY RECALL HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART AT NOT COST TO THE OWNER. I NEED FORD TO CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL OR BY MAIL TO WHERE I CAN TAKE MY CAR (A SERVICE CENTER AUTHORIZED NEAR TO MY HOUSE) TO REPAIR MY CAR AT NOT CHARGE. I USE MY CAR PRIMARILY AS A FAMILY CAR AND I NEED MY CAR IN GOOD CONDITION FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *JB
I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND REAR TAILLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING, WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO FUNCTION. THE CAUSE WAS THE WIRING OVERHEATING AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE SWITCH. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND LOCATED A RECALL NHSTA CAMPAIGN 99V103000 FOR THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE WORK OUT OF POCKET, BUT I AM WONDERING IF IT WAS IN ERROR THAN MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
ON 98 FORD CONTOURS BOTH OF THE HEADLIGHTS FORM CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE AND THEN BECOME PITTED. THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE VISIBILITY AT NIGHT AND DURING STORMY WEATHER. WE HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS BUT NOT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. WHEN WE WENT TO LOOK FOR A SET OF HEADLIGHTS WE DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE USED SETS HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON ALL FORD CONTOURS AND ITS MERCURY COUNTERPART. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V233000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY 1998 6 CYL CONTOUR AUTOMATIC ON ROUTE 95 FROM STONEHAM TO WAKEFIELD, MA (ONE HIGHWAY EXIT). THE CAR WAS BEHAVING NORMALLY AND HAD BEHAVED NORMALLY UNTIL THAT POINT. A SERVO COVER FELL OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION. THAT ALLOWED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO POUR OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION IN SECONDS. THE SERVO COVER, A THREE INCH DIAMETER PIECE OF HEAVY METAL SHAPED LIKE A FRISBEE, NEARLY HIT A MOTOR CYCLIST. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP NEAR 128 FORD OF WAKEFIELD, MA. THEIR SERVICE WRITER, LUDLOW, TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. THAT OPINION WAS REINFORCED BY TWO EMPLOYEES OF FNA TRANSMISSION REPAIR OF WAKEFIELD. I CALLED FORD. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS EVER HAPPENING TO A CONTOUR. I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TO FILE A REPORT, AND I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT EXISTS AND IS A SERIOUS HAZARD TO MOTORCYCLISTS (I AM ONE.) I AM WORRIED THAT THE RAPID LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID USUALLY LEADS TO SERIOUS TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING STARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BATTERY, ON-BOARD COMPUTER, AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO INSTALLED. AFTER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 98V233000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT RELATED TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/03/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 10-50 MPH. THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE GEAR SHIFTER IS MOVED TO A LOWER GEAR THEN BACK TO DRIVE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
FORD WILL NOT REPAIR A RECALL (99S14) ON MY 1998 CONTOUR SE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE YEAR IS IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. (INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON.) THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FORD RECALL 99S14 IS THE SAME AS MY OBSERVED PROBLEM. UNSAFE TO DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT. NO CORRECTION HAS BEEN PERFORMED. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN RECALL. *NM
RECURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND DANGEROUS EXPOSED WIRING RESULTING FROM DETERIORATING UNDER HOOD WIRING HARNESS. SAME PROBLEM EXISTING ON 1995-1997 CONTOURS ADDRESSED BY OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 99M03. FORD DEALER EXAMINED AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM EXISTS BUT WILL NOT REPAIR AS ONP 99M03 DOESN'T COVER 1998 CONTOUR. SEE HTTP://HENNING.WS/FORDCONTOUR.CFM FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF PROBLEM. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY FELL BACKWARDS AND THE HINGE BROKE. THE SEAT FELT LOSE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE BREAKAGE WAS DUE TO FATIGUE OF THE SEAT FRAME. THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM
THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAVE MANY KNOWN PROBLEMS, THE ONE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING AN ISSUE WITH IS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT CAUSES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO GO OUT CREATING A SITUATION WHERE A DRIVER CAN NOT SEE THEIR SAFE SPEED AND WORSE THE RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO STOP WORKING, PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM SEEING YOUR CAR FROM BEHIND. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS WORK BUT NOT THE RUNNING LIGHTS. ON A DARK ROAD THE CAR IS NOT VISIBLE FROM BEHIND. BOTH THESE CONDITIONS MAKE IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL FROM FORD COVERING THIS EXACT PROBLEM HOWEVER FOR SOME REASON THE FORD CAN NOT TELL ME, MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. SO FAR NO ONE AT THE DEALER WILL HELP ME TO DETERMINE WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH THEY AGREE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND CALLS TO FORD HAVE GOTTEN ME NO WHERE AS WELL. WHAT CAN I DO NOW? IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V243000 CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT (3->2) HARD RECENTLY, AND I BROUGHT IT TO AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO PERFORMED SEVERAL TESTS AND GAVE IT A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ~5,000 MI LATER WHILE GENTLY SLOWING TO TURN LEFT FROM A MAJOR STREET, IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD RUN OVER SOME WALNUT SHELLS. AS I BEGAN TO EASE OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN, THE ENGINE BOGGED AND THE CAR LURCHED, MAKING SOME CRUNCHING SOUNDS. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER OR BY PUSHING BY HAND. LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS HAVE SAID THE CD4E TRANSMISSION IS NOTORIOUS FOR EARLY FAILURE, AND THAT I WAS LUCKY TO GET 102,000 MILES FROM IT BECAUSE MANY FAIL BY 40,000 MILES. THEY HAVE QUOTED ME REPAIR PRICES RANGING FROM $1500 TO $3500. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THIS FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR ON A CURVY ROAD, AS AN AXLE LOCKUP LIKE THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *JB
ALL THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD HAS BRITTLE INSULATION. EVERY SENOR. MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER RECALL 99M03 WHICH IS SHOULD SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 1997 AND TITLED A 1998. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. *JB
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT FROM 1-2. *NM
MY DASH ON MY 98 CONTOUR HAS BEEN WARPING / CURLING , EVEN WHILE IT KEPT IN MY GARAGE , IN A COOL CLIMATE . ALSO MY REAR BUMPER IS SAGGING FOR NO APPARENT REASON . *JB
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
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
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
MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 5/15/97 BUT IS TITLED AS A 1998 VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR VEHICLES FOR A PROBLEM WHERE THE INSULATION FALLS OFF THE UNDERHOOD WIRING. MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT THAT BARE COPPER WIRING IS EXPOSED AT EVERY CONNECTOR UNDER THE HOOD AND I AM SURE IN PLACES THAT ARE NOT VISIBLE AS WELL. IF THESE WIRES CONTACT EACH OTHER, POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING, LOSS OF LIGHTING, COOLING AND EVEN ENGINE FIRES ARE POSSIBLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS TITLED AS A 1998 EVEN THOUGH IT WWAS MANUFACTURED IN 1997 WITH THE SAME PARTS AS THE VEHICLES THEY ARE OFFERING TO REPAIR. I AM REFERING TO THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION 99M03 WHICH CALLS FOR ALL WIRING HARNESSES TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. MY LOCAL FORD EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY FOR THE ONTINUED SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE VIN IN HIS SYSTEM, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF THE TITLE YEAR, (1998 BUT BUILT IN 1997 WITH 1997 PARTS). THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON ARE REFUSING TO MAKE GOOD ON MY VEHICLE. *NM
DT: THE CALLER FOUND A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IT WAS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION AND NOT A RECALL. THE CALLER HAS NOT HAD THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS SOME CORROSION ON THE COIL N SPRINGS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS UNTIL THEY FRACTURED.*AK
JAN, 2004: 1998 FORD CONTOUR RECALL PERFORMED (BRACKETS FOR FRONT SPRINGS). AUG, 2005: REPLACED TIRES ON 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE USING P205/60R15 TIRES SUGGESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TIRES MADE CONTACT WITH THE BRACKET BOLTS INSTALLED DURING THE RECALL, CAUSING TIRE TO BE GOUGED (TRIED 3 BRANDS, ALL HAD SAME CONTACT PROBLEM). FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRACKET. I ENDED UP USING A DIFFERENT TIRE SIZE: P195/65R15, WHICH BARELY CLEARS THE BRACKED BOLTS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE BRACK RECALL / TIRE COMBINATION.
DT: COSCO MODEL # 02-531BNP, THE GRANDMOTHER NOTICED THAT WHILE REMOVING THE CHILD SEAT THE OWNER HAS TO KEEP PUSHING THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE FASTENERS. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT IT TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO RELEASE THE CHILD OUT OF CAR SEAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT COSCO. *AK
THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM BROKE DOWN AND THE ROD IN THE SYSTEM HIT THE TIRE AND FLATTENED IT. *JB...*AK THE CONSUMER HEARD OF A RECALL ON THIS PART AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *NM
WHEN TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON, TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 99V103000). HOWEVER, FORD SAYS THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [XXX]. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VEHICLE WAS PURHASED IN JAN OF 1998. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 70,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR FOR TUNE UP. WHEN PICKING UP THE VEHICLE GOODYEAR INFORMED ME OF A FAUTLY WIRE HARNESS. THEY ALSO INCLUDED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FLAKING OFF ALMOST AS IF IT WAS ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPPINION. THEY STATED THAT VEHICLES WIRE HARNESS WAS OF POOR QUALITY AND THAT DUE TO THE PROTECTIVE LAYER OVER THE METAL WIRES FLAKING OFF IT CAUSED A SHORT ONCE THE EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED METAL BURNING THE COMPUTER. THEY ALSO INCLUDED THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND OR WORSE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD AND EVEN TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE CLAIMING THAT GOODYEAR DAMAGED IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS CAR AND THE SISTER VEHICLE MERCURY MYSTIC ON THE NET AND THEY BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURER USING A DECECTIVE WIRE HARNESS CAUSE SHORTS AND OR SOMETIMES FIRES. I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND THEY CONTACTED FORD WITH NO RESOLUTION. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED MANY SPECIALIST IN FIELD AND ACCORDING TO THEM A WIRE HARNESS SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!
DT: VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CALLER SAID BRAKES DID NOT WORK VERY WELL WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME. DEALER SAID THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR BROKE ,AND REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT . MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.*AK
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.
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