1996 FORD CONTOUR Equipment Problems

SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT MOVE WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED, DRIVER HAS TO COUNT THE CLICKS TO BE ABLE TO TELL IF THEY'RE IN WHAT DRIVE THEY'RE IN. SAW IT IN A RECALL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY MODEL ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, CAR MADE LOAD MOANING NOISES, ENGINE REVED, RPMS JUMPED AROUND AND CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. STARTED UP RIGHT AFTER. DID NOT TAKE TO GET LOOKED AT. IF THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS UNDER 40 DEGREES, THE CAR WILL MOAN LOUDLY, THE ENGINE WILL REV, THE STEERING WILL GO OUT, AND THEN THE CAR STALLS, HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BREAKING. SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF STALLING, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD. ALMOST CAUSED ATLEAST 3 ACCIDENTS. TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALL THE TIME. TOOK IT FOR REPAIR, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. HAD TO GET THE SENSOR REPLACED 6 TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM STOPPED, AT CONUMERS EXPENSE.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT SEND ME A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER ON MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR. I NEED TO SEND MY CAR BACK TO FORD MOTOR ASAP, AND FORD NEEDS TO SEND ME A BRAND NEW CAR. DUE TO ALSO SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 1999 EVERY PART IN MY CAR IS A DEFECT FRAUD NON FORD, ALSO NEWMAN FORD IN SALEM, NH REFUSED AND DISCRIMINATED MY DISABILITY AND LAUGHED AT ME AND DENIED MY SERVICES. *JB

POP UP CUP HOLDERS ARE VERY FLIMSY. THE CUP HOLDERS MAY CAUSE BEVERAGE TO TIP OVER WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTS IN DRIVER'S ATTENTION MOMENTARILY TAKEN AWAY FROM THE ROAD, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER FEELS THE CUP HOLDERS SHOULD BE MORE STATIONARY.*AK

Mileage: 48,000

MY NEWEST PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH THE CAR NOW IS IT STALLS AT RED LIGHTS AND DOESNT START FOR 45 MINUTE TO AN HOUR. I TOOK IT TO 3 GARAGES ALREADY AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.

THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL DOOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, AND NOW AS A SPECIAL TREAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH 200000 PLUS MILES ON THEM AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER BEEN AS PROBLEMATIC AS THIS AUTOMOBILE.

Mileage: 49,000

MR

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE AIR CONDITIONER SERVICED, AND THE PRODUCT THAT WAS USED CAUSED A LARGE PROBLEM IN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. A LEAK HAS DEVELOPED. *AK *YH

THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 5,000 MILES . THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER/ACCESSORY OUTLET DEVELOPED A SHORT WITH FUSE BLOWOUT . THE INTERIOR LEVER TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT FUNCTION TO OPEN THE OUTSIDE LID COVERING THE GAS CAP . THE CAR IS IN ALMOST NEW CONDITION WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES SINCE 1996 . CAR IS ALSO IN FOR MANDATORY RECALL SERVICING DUE TO NOTICE FROM FORD .HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SHORTING IN THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER/ACCESSORY OUTLET SYSTEM ? HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INTERIOR GAS CAP LID LEVER NOT FUNCTIONING ? I AM BEING CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR OF THESE ITEMS . I WONDER WHETHER THERE WAS A BASIC DESIGN DEFICIENCY THAT LED TO SUCH MALFUNCTIONING AFTER LESS THAN 5,000 MILES .*AK

ASKED DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL 00V-367000 AND THEY SAID FORD HAS NO SUCH RECALL.*AK

AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER WILL ONLY WORK ON LOW, IF TURNING IT UP HIGH, IT DOES NOT WORK.*AK

THE CEAR IS PEALING, 2 TRANSMISISONS HAVE FAILED AND NOW THE A/C INT. BLOWER ONLY RUNS ON HIGH. *AK

THE AIR ONLY COMES OUT OF THE DEFROST. *SLC

RIGHT REAR LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OUT. REPLACE BULB FEW TIMES. RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. MAJOR FAN BELT REPLACED. ALTERNATOR REPLACED. LIGHT ON RADIO GOES OFF WHEN HEAD LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THEY FIXED MY RECALL FOR LIGHTS. GAS CAP COVER IS VERY HARD TO OPEN. TAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY AND OPEN. WHEN AIR IS ON SMELLS COME THROUGH REALLY STRONG FROM OTHER CARS. OWNER NOTIFICATION RECALLS ARE NOT TAKEN CARE OF UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN. THESE ARE COIL CAN BREAK AND CAR GO DOWN BLOW OUT TIRES. ALSO ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAN BREAK AND WIRES WILL CONNECT WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR AND CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND EXPLAINED HOW I FELT THIS CAR WAS UNSAFE AND IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO ME OR MY FAMILY THEY WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO TAKE BACK ALL CONTOURS AND GIVE US A SAFER CAR FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES TO DRIVE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FINANCE ANOTHER CAR. THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A LOAN AND NEW CAR FOR US. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP WITH TAKING MY CAR BACK AND GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR/LOAN. AS I TOLD THEM IN THE LETTER THEY JUST WANTED TO SELL AND MAKE MONEY THEY DIDN'T THINK OF THE FAMILY AND OR FAMILIES THAT THIS CAR AS IT FELL APART WOULD EFFECT. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE THIS WEB SITE THAT I CAN VOICE MY CONCERNS,PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD AND FEEL SOMEONE MAY PAY ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT IN THESE CARS AS HAVE BEEN MANY WITH THE TIRE SITUATION. I WILL HELP YOU IN ANY WAY I CAN TO CLEAR UP ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. I KEEP THE LETTER I SENT FORD IN MY CAR IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO READ IT AND KNOW I DID TRY TO GET THIS PROBLEM DISSOLVED BEFORE IT WAS TO LATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP. DEBBIE JENNINGS HEWITT

THERE ARE TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR TO WRITE DOWN. PLEASE CONTACT US.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR TO WRITE DOWN. PLEASE CONTACT US.

I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE TAKEN IT MORE THAN EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES TO BE SERVICE AND PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED EVEN AFTER HAVING ENGINE REPLACED I AM HAVING SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND STILL IT HAS PROBLEMS.E . .

WHILE USING AIR CONDITIONER IT STOPPED BLOWING AIR , AFTER BEING REPAIRED AIR WAS NOT COMING FROM THE VENTS. *AK

THE BLOWER FAN WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL. IT LASTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND PROCEEDED TO BREAK AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALER STATED THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUSE PANEL IN THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REAFFIRM THE DEFECT. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY RARELY HAD TO REPLACE A FUSE PANEL. IN ADDITION TO THIS REPAIR, BOTH POWER WINDOW REGULATORS WENT OUT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDES OF THE CAR. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE REPAIR SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON IN FORD VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF FORD AND THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY RESTITUTION ON THESE REPAIRS.

ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD MY CAR I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF THE DEFFECTS ON IT, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT HELP ME OUT THEN. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT NOW? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.

IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN ONE THING STARTED TO SHORT ON MY CONTOUR EVERYTHING STARTED TO GO...FIRST THE LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF THEN ..THE A/C STARTED SHORTING THEN IT COMPLETELY FROZE CAUSING TIMING TO JUMP AND NOEW ..I'M TOLD THE CAR NEEDS NEW COMPUTER ..IT DIES IN MIDDLE OF ROAD THE SENSORS ARE BAD ...PLEASE HELP ME REGARDING THIS MATTER ..

IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN ONE THING STARTED TO SHORT ON MY CONTOUR EVERYTHING STARTED TO GO...FIRST THE LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND OFF THEN ..THE A/C STARTED SHORTING THEN IT COMPLETELY FROZE CAUSING TIMING TO JUMP AND NOEW ..I'M TOLD THE CAR NEEDS NEW COMPUTER ..IT DIES IN MIDDLE OF ROAD THE SENSORS ARE BAD ...PLEASE HELP ME REGARDING THIS MATTER ..

DUAL FAN ON AIR CONDITIONER WAS CONSTANTLY ON. CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL LETTER FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. BUT, THEN OTHER SIDE WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING. *AK

AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER THIS RECALL THE A/C COMPRESSOR, WHICH FAILED PREMATURELY. CHRIS EARLY, AT JOE MACHENS FORD, COLUMBIA, MO, INFORMED ME THAT THE COMPRESSOR HAS NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER, AND SO, WILL NOT COVER THE WORK UNDER THIS RECALL. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER AND ITS PROBLEM (BLOWING AIR QUITE HARD, BUT WITH NONE COMING OUT THE VENTS, AND NOT HEATING OR COOLING THE CAR/DEFROSTING THE WINDOW). THOUGH I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN 9 OR 10 TIMES TO HAVE THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER PROBLEM FIXED, I STILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT FROM TIME TO TIME. SURELY THIS KIND OF STRAIN CAUSED THE A/C COMPRESSOR TO WORK HARDER, AND BE SUBJECT TO UNDUE STRESS AND THEREFORE IMMATURE WEAR AND TEAR AND ULTIMATELY FAILURE. (EVEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE EARLINESS OF THE COMPRESSOR FAILURE). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I HAVE HAD TROUBLE GETTING ANYWHERE WITH FORD IN THE PAST -- I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY SORT OF REPLY FROM FORD AS TO MY INQUIRIES TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH I REGISTERED IN WRITING TO THEM IN AUGUST 1998. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR WORK! *AK

AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT FUNCTIONING AFTER SERVICE. YH

HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: INTERIOR/BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO LIGHT. REPLACED SWITCH TWICE. FUEL FILLER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH LATCH INSIDE. NEVER WORKED. CIGARETTE LIGHTER FAILED. POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FAILED. CAR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START DUE TO DRAINED BATTERY. MECHANIC COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR THIS RELATED TO ALTERNATOR/CHARGING SYSTEM OF CAR. NEVER ABLE TO FIX THIS. TRUNK LEAKS WATER AROUND SEAL. ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON . MECHANIC COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH ABS. AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER WOULD ONLY BLOW OUT DEFROST SETTING. ALSO BAD SMELL COMES FROM AC WHEN ON. REAR SEAT BELTS KEEP JAMMING; NOT ABLE TO USE SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY WON'T COME OUT. WORST PROBLEM SO FAR: TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. NOT YET FIXED. I LOVED THIS CAR ONCE, NOW I HATE IT! THE WHOLE THING SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK

RECALL REPAIR (99V-103) COMPLETED, HOWEVER HARNESS CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND NOT THE SWITCH, PANEL LIGHTS FEEL HOT TO THE TOUCH AND ILLUMINATION IS DIM AFTER REPAIR WORK COMPLETED. MJS

WHEN TURNING THE A/C ON, DASHBOARD GETS HOT. A/C IS COMING OUT OF THE DEFROSTER ON TOP OF DASHBOARD, AND NOT OUT THE VENTS. *AK

AC SWITCH AND BLOWER SPEED NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MECHANIC SAID: "FOUND BURNT BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR, HI BLOWER MOTOR RESISTANCE AFFECTED CIRCUIT. MELTER RESISTOR AND HARNESS." LATER MECHANIC ALSO SAID IT NEED A NEW AC DASH SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. A TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $600.00. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A HIGH RESISTANCE CAUSES INCREASED CURRENT AND THUS BURN UP THE RESISTOR AND WIRING. I BELIEVE THAT THE RESISTOR HAD A SHORT AND THE EXCESSIVE CURRENT BURNED UP THE RESISTOR AND THE WIRING. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE BLOWER IS DAMAGED OR NOT. THIS FAULTY RESISTOR IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE UNDER THE DASH. THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THAT THE CAR IS FOUR MONTHS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY 27,000 + MILES, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE. IF I PAY TO HAVE THE DAMAGE REPAIRED, CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK IF YOU FIND THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE?

WHEN TURNING THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, SMOKE CAME FROM THE FAN SWITCH. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE IF DRIVER HADN'T BEEN SO QUICK TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ALL THE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WHEN USING THE A/C UNIT CONSUMER HAS TO PUT THE A/C ON HIGH IN ORDER TO USE THE SYSTEM. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER/ANDY PANEL AIR BLOWS OUT OF DEFROST.

THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN SWITCH WAS VERY HOT AND STARTED TO MELT THE PLASTIC HARNESS AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE SWITCH, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED A FIRE IF THE OCCUPANT DIDN'T PULL THE FUSE ON THE SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS W/ MY 96 FORD CONTOUR SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2/23/96. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I GET TOLD IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHY WORRY ABOUT IT. THE SRV.MNGR.AT MY DEALER SUPPOSEDLY TALKED TO A "TONY" AT FORD & TOLD HIM TO TELL ME AS LONG AS IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN IT IS NO MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. THAT IS UNSATISFACTORY -I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE A DEFECT IN THAT YEARS LINE OF CONTOURS & I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. MY CAR RUNS WORSE THAN ANY USED CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED! ALL I EVER WANTED DONE WAS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION,THEY COULD HAVE EASILY REPLACED MY CAR WITH ONE SIMILIAR TO THAT YEAR & MODEL & I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY. I REALLY WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL CONTACT A LAWYER TO SEEK HELP DEALING WITH FORD & KENNEDY FORD , IF I CAN NOT GET A FAIR & AGGREEABLE OUTCOME TO THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU.

SUMMER OF 1997 COLD AIR FROM A/C ONLY BLOWS OUT OF DEFROSTERS,HAD IT FIXED. SUMMER OF 1998 AGAIN COLD AIR FROM A/C ONLY BLOWS OUT OF DEFROSTERS, HAD IT FIXED. SUMMER OF 1999 AGAIN COLD AIR FROM AC ONLY BLOWS OUT OF DEFROSTERS, AGAIN I HAD IT FIXED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. THE CONNECTOR AND FAN SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

COMPRESSOR AND LINES BROKE, WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE; HAVE BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES IN LAST TWO MONTHS.*AK

RIGHT SPEAKER BLOWN OUT.

THE WORST PROBLEM WAS THE WHEEL FALLING OFF WHILE IN OPERATION, WITH NO WARNING. THE AXIL, ROTOR, AND BALLJOINT WAS REPLACED. THE HEATING AND COOLING IS ALL MESSED UP. THE FAN WILL ONLY BLOW ON LOW, IT IS NIETHER HOT NOR COLD. THE TAIL LIGHTS AND PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. IT'S NOT A FUSE

DRIVING ON WET SURFACES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE DRIVER RECEIVES NO INDICATION THAT VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

AUTO AIR CONTROL FAILED.

AIR CONDITIONING HAS A BAD MILDEW SMELL.

CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON.

EVAPORATOR AND BLOWER FAILED 3 TIMES.