1998 Ford Contour complaints

I SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS 2 LOUD BANGS AND MY WHEELS FROZE. THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING LET GO, SLASHING MY TIRE ON THE INSIDE AROUND THE WHEEL (BRAND NEW TIRE APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS OLD), THE CAR FROZE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1997 CONTOUR FRONT COIL SPRINGS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY MADE A REPORT BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE CAR. NOT EVEN 60 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT A SPEED OF 65MPH. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN TRANSIT THE CAR WOULD HAVE FROZE CAUSING ME TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, POSSIBLY CAUSING MY DEATH. I FEEL ESPECIALLY WITH A RECALL ON THE 1997 CONTOUR THAT THIS PROBLEM REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION.*AK

TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE DASHBOARD, CAUSING THE HEATER OR A/C TO ONLY HAVE ONE SPEED WORKING, DOME LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, LIGHT UNDER DASH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, WARNING BELL DOES NOT CHIME ALL THE TIMES IT SHOULD, CONSUMER STATES A SENSOR CAUSES HEATER TO ACT AS THE AC AND VICE VERSA. HINGES NOT MADE PROPERLY, CAUSING DOOR MOVEMENT WHILE OPENING/CLOSING, DOES NOT STOP WHEN IT SHOULD. SEAT BLET RETARCTION DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH ELAST, CAUSING IT NOT TO RETRACT PROPERLY, HAS GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THE DOOR JAM. ALARM SYSTEM HAS FAILED. WHEEL COVER CRACKED WHEN A TIRE WAS BEING CHANGED AND ANOTHER ONE FELL OFF, CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TIME OR PLACE IT FELL OFF. *SLC

WITHIN 55,000 MILES ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, AND ENGINE TO RISE WHEN ACCELERATING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE VEERED INTO LEFT TO AVOID DEBRIS IN STREET. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE , STEERING WAS UNCONTROLABLE, AND THEN VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED OUT ON ITS OWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK DEALER REPLACED BELT AND TOOK VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP FRONT BRAKES GRIND. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO REPAIR SHOP, WERE MECHANIC STATED THAT FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE TOO SOFT, AND ROTORS HAVE WORNOUT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING LOCKED UP PREMATURELY CAUSING CAR TO PULL VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AND ACCIDENT HAD THERE BEEN A CAR TO THE RIGHT. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL DUE TO OTHERS HAVING WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS PREMATURELY. *AK

CONSUMER SPED UP TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS RACING UP TO 2000 RPM/, STALLING, AND MAKING A RUMBLING SOUND. DEALER STATED OXYGEN SENSOR HAD GONE BAD. IT CONTROLS AMOUNT OF AIR AND GAS MIXTURE. *AK

WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BACKUP. *AK

THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOSES ALL FUNCTION. NLM

FORD COUNTOUR COIL SPRINGS FAILED IN PARKING LOT AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH...THE BODY FELL ONTO BOTH TIRES SHREDDING THEM AT 3 MPH...IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT XWAY SPEEDS I WOULDN`T BE HERE TODAY. FORD DISAVOWS ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE COIL ASSEMBLIES BUT MY INDEPENDENT REPAIR STATION MECHANIC TOLD ME OF MANY CONTOURS WITH SAME PROBLEMS...IT ALSO TOOK FORD MOTOR OVER A WEEK TO GET THE PART IN STOCK...FOR AN AREA THE SIZE OF GREATER DETROIT THAT IN ITSELF IS AWFUL SUSPICIOUS...PLEASE HELP OTHER PEOPLE BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS KILLS SOME INNOCENT PERSON...I AM NOT A TEEN AS I AM 53 AND CERTAINLY NOT A HOT RODDER . *AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD CONTOUR, VIN #[XXX]. ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, I WAS PREPARING TO TRAVEL ONTO INTERSTATE 79 TO GO FROM MEADVILLE TO ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA. LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOME ON HARMONSBURG ROAD, I HEARD A "POP" AND MY VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. I TRAVELED ABOUT ANOTHER QUARTER OF A MILE TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE TIRE. IT APPEARED TO BE OKAY. AS THE VEHICLE WAS BECOMING HARD TO STEER, I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND TRAVELED AT 25 MPH BACK TO MY HOME, A STRAIGHT ONE MILE DRIVE FROM THE GAS STATION. WHEN I TURNED LEFT INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER STEER. AS SOON AS I WAS OFF THE ROAD, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE TIRE WAS FLAT, AND THE CAR LEANED TO THE RIGHT-FRONT. AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE CAR SERIOUSLY TIPPED TOWARD THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE. AT A FASTER SPEED, IT COULD EASILY HAVE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THIS INCIDENT, AND I HAVE BEEN UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE THIS FIRST INCIDENT. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND EMBEDDED ITSELF INTO THE TIRE. WE CALLED THE AAA TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LAKE VIEW FORD IN CONNEAUT LAKE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WIRING HARNESS LOCATED BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MELTED, CAUSING FAILURE OF HEADLIGHT AND PARKING LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM, AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 99V103000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH CONSUMER WAS PREPARING TO STOP, WHEN IT ALMOST LOST CONTROL. CONSUMER WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKETHROOUGH TIRE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND COIL SPRING REPLACED. *AK

I KNOW A LOT OF OTHER OWNER OF THE SAME CAR ENCOUNTERED THE EXACTLY SAME VCT PROBLEM (CODE P1381), AND IT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO BE FIXED. IF ANYONE TAKE TIME READ THE CONTOUR OWNER'S PROBLEM FORUM LOCATED ON THE WEB (WWW.CONTOUR.ORG), HE FINDS TONS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM OF THIS CAR. IT'S DEFINITELY OUTRAGOUS IN THE SENSE OF STATISTICS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT OF THIS CAR IS WAY ABOVE THE WILDEST IMAGINE ON THE FREQUENCY THAT IT COULD EVER HAPPED TO ANY EXISTING MODEL OF CAR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AT LEAST IN THE SENSE OF A NATIONAL RECALL. CEL, THE BIGGEST NIGHTMARE OF FORD CONTOUR! ANYONE WHO MADE THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH IT.*AK

RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVEWAY, NOT MOVING. DAMAGED SWAY BAR LINK AND TIRE. *AK

FAILURE OF CD4E TRANSMISSION REQUIRING RE-BUILD.*AK

RIGHT FRONT COILSPRING (BROKE) CUT TIRE,BENT RIGHT FRONT STABILAIZER

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON/ HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE NOT WORKING. CONSUEMR STATED THIS WAS SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 99 V 243 000. CONSUMER WAS SCARED THAT AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY IN FACE.*AK

THE SHORT CAUSED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING AND BACKLIGHTS NOT TO FUNCTION. *AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. THIS OCCURRED TWO MONTHS AFTER THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS.*AK

FUSE BOX MELTED DUE TO A LOOSE WIRE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE.*AK

WHEN TURNING OR BEARING TO LEFT THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. SOUND GOT LOUDER, AND VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO LEFT. CONSUMER WENT TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FOR VIBRATION. FIRESTONE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE TO LISTEN TO IT. BEARINGS AND SEALS WERE SHOT, AND NEEDED REPLACEMET. ALSO, LUBRICATION HAD DRIED UP. *AK *JB

GAS GAUGE IS INADEQUATE WHEN PUTTING GAS IN TANK. GAS GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT AMOUNT.*AK

LEFT SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

FRONT SPRING ON LEFT SIDE CRACKED, CAUSING FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO DROP. *AK *JB

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED TIRE. *AK

REAR BRAKE LOCK UP ON PANIC STOP, LOSS OF CONTROL SPIN OUT AND HIT CENTER DIVIDER. *AK

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO ROBKE FORD NUMEROUS TIMES TO TRY AND FIND WHAT THE GRINDING NOISE IS WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT I NEED A NEW AXLE AND AXLE BEARINGS. I AM TRYING TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY MANUFACTURE RECALLS/DEFECTS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A CAR DOES NOT NEED AN AXLE WITH THE LOW MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN TURNING THE CAR MAINLY TO THE RIGHT THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD (PEOPLE STARE). I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND MYSELF WHILE DRIVING. I'VE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AND I'VE GOTTEN NO WHERE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS 670.00, AND I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS. SINCE I DON'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD PAY FOR THIS) THEY WON'T LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR ME. I WAS TOLD TO BRING PROOF INTO THE DEALERSHIP OF ALL REGULAR OIL CHANGES TO PROVE THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR CORRECTLY. PLEASE HELP ME IN WHAT STEPS I SHOULD BE TAKEN TO GET THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT/KILLED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, DAWN KENNEDY. *AK

LEFT STRUT SPRING BROKE, THEN 30 DAYS LATER RIGHT ONE BROKE.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PIERCED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE LOCKING IT UP--UPON TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC, IT WAS THE THIRD ONE IN A WEEK ON A FORD PRODUCT, UPON GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY GROANED "ANOTHER ONE" THEY HAD ANOTHER CONTOUR IN THE SHOP WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM--BROKEN SPRING, DON;T KNOW IF THEIRS PUNCTURED THE TIRE OR NOT--WE WERE LUCKY, IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER MY DAUGHTER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED THE CAR--HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE OPEN ROAD THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT---IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM--I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT OTHER FORD PRODUCTS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A SHIELD INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE SPRING FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TIRE.*AK

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUALLY READS ABOVE THE RED ZONE. THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS NOT OVERHEATING. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL REPORT FILED ON THIS AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE WAS TO OVERHEAT BECAUSE THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO KNOW.*AK

FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE, IT LEAKS GAS AND FUMES. DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY PART.*AK

THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED BEFORE MAKING A FULL STOP. THIS OCCURS AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. *AK THE VEHICLE'S VIBRATION BECOMES SCAREY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *YH

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN HOOD FLEW UP, SMASHING WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER HAD TO HAMMER HOOD DOWN TO GET IT HOME. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP, THEY HAD NO EXPLAINATION WHY IT HAPPENED. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES ONE PERSON WAS INJURED DUE TO INCIDENT. *SLC

CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE, HAD IT INSPECTED, AND WAS TOLD THAT RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. *AK

THE GAS TANK SUPPLY SPOUT ACTS LIKE IT IS PLUGGED WILL NOT TAKE THE GAS VERY FAST. HAS NEVER SEEMED TO BREATHE PROPERLY.*AK

COOLING GUAGE SHOWS ENGINE RUNNING AT HIGH END-ALMOST TO RED. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED ON/OFF. BASED ON INFORMATION FROM MECHANIC, AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE BEFORE REPLACING SENSOR. PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

INTERIOR AND COURTESY LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FLASH RAPIDLY ON AND OFF, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *SLC

STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM LOCKED POSITION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED.*AK

HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO PRODUCE PROPER LIGHTING AT NIGHT, CONSUMER NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. TO DEALER 3 TIMES, REPLACED HEADLIGHTS, DID NOT REMEDY. THEN DEALER STATED IT WAS A DEFECT BECAUSE LIGHTS WERE NOT ADJUSTABLE. *AK

RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. "NO RECALLS AND OUT OF ITS WARRANTY". *AK *SLC

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE PULLING FROM PARKING SPACE; TIRE WAS PUNCTURED.*AK

THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO 5 RECALLS (98S26, 99S14, 99S19, 99S23 AND 00S03), THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. NLM

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. NEXT MORNING HE STARTED VEHICLE, PUT IT IN GEAR ,BUT VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT WHEEL WELL ON LEFT FRONT WAS LAYING ON TOP TIRE, VEHICLE STILL AT DEALER, COIL SPRING BROKE OR STRUT. *AK CONSUMER ALSO HAD FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED,*JB

THE WATER PUMP AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH FORD THE INCONVIENCE AND THE FREEDOM OF PURCHASING A NEW CAR HAS LEFT ME FRUSTRATED AND AFRAID TO TRUST THE CAR. *AK