1996 FORD CONTOUR Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT

MAJOR HARNESS & ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH IS UNDER RECALL THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR.

LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT ABS STATORS HAVE CRACKS WHICH ARE CLEARLY VISIBLE. THIS CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE ON A LOW SPEED STOP. AT ABOUT 40 MPH THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK.THE BRAKES WORK IN REGULAR MODE.THIS WAS DISCOVERED ON 6/21/05 BUT HAD BEEN HAPPENING . MECHANIC CHANGED AN ABS SENSOR WIRE WITH A CUT IN IT . HAD TO LOOK FURTHER TO FIND CRACKED STATORS.MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP HE CALLED ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOME MODELS,CRACKED STATORS ON WINDSTARS,OFFERED NO SOLUTION. I CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS NOT HELPED .A PART LIKE THIS BEARS NO WEIGHT AND SHOULD NOT BE FAILING.THE CRACKS MAKE THE COMPUTER THINK THERE IS A REASON TO ACTIVATE AND THEN AT 40MPH TO SHUT DOWN.THE REAR STATORS WERE NOT CHECKED FOR CRACKS YET. THANK YOU

Mileage: 90,000

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME, AND THEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. *AK

Mileage: 151,000

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

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

PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ENGAGED PREMATURELY. THE ABS WOULD THEN DISENGAGE AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. *AK *TS *NLM

Mileage: 20,000

THE CALIPERS ON THE FRONT DISK BRAKE SYSTEM TEND TO WANT TO ROLL INWARD OFF OF THE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO DATE. VEHICLE: 1996 FORD CONTOUR

Mileage: 95,000

THE CALIPERS ON THE FRONT DISK BRAKE SYSTEM TEND TO WANT TO ROLL INWARD OFF OF THE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO DATE. VEHICLE: 1996 FORD CONTOUR

Mileage: 95,000

ABS FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING UP AFTER ABS LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. BEEN TO MECHANIC 4 TIMES, MASTER CYLINDER PROPRTIONAL VALVE WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, WHICH STILL WAS PRESENT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS HAS BEEN AN REOCURRING PROBLEM.*SLC

ABS FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING UP AFTER ABS LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. BEEN TO MECHANIC 4 TIMES, MASTER CYLINDER PROPRTIONAL VALVE WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, WHICH STILL WAS PRESENT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS HAS BEEN AN REOCURRING PROBLEM.*SLC

ABS FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING UP AFTER ABS LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. BEEN TO MECHANIC 4 TIMES, MASTER CYLINDER PROPRTIONAL VALVE WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, WHICH STILL WAS PRESENT. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS HAS BEEN AN REOCURRING PROBLEM.*SLC

BRAKES HAVE LITTLE RESISTANCE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL, FEELS "MUSHY. ALSO, ABS LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND RESET ABS LIGHT. AS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP, ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. DEALERSHIP THEN DETERMINED THEY HAVE TO PERFORM REWIRING WORK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

REAR CALIPERS LOCKED UO, CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKE ROTORS, ODOR AND POTENTIAL TO BOIL HYDRALIC FLUID LEADING TO BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

BRAKES WERE MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT BRAKE DRUM. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BRAKES WERE MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM LEFT FRONT BRAKE DRUM. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THEY REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ABS, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 5 MPH ABS KICKS IN, THERE IS A PULSING NOISE AT THAT TIME. DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE HAS A CRACK IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE MECHANIC WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE OBSERVED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOME OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING, SINCE NO TRANSMISSION WORK HAS EVER BEEN PERFORMED UNDER CONSUMER'S OWNERSHIP ROUGHLY SINCE 41,000 MILES IN THE MECHANIC'S OPINION THAT EITHER THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING WAS CRACKED WHEN INSTALLED OR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN RESULTING IN A CRACKED HOUSING, HE ALSO OBSERVED WHAT MIGHT BE BAD FRONT COIL SPRINGS, THEY ARE MAKING A RUBBING NOSIE ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE OR IN A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT,CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY HAVE CALLED HER CONSUMER BACK BUT THEY HAVE TURNED THE COMPLAINT INTO A FEEDBACK REPORT CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD ROTORS TURNED AND SERVICED TWICE.*JB

IN OCTOBER, 2000, ON A HIGHWAY OFFRAMP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT FULLY TO THE FLOOR. CAR CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH APPROX. $5000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. IN MID-DECEMBER, 2000, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND PEDAL ONCE AGAIN WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR. SHE PUMPED ONCE, BRAKE WORKED, AVOIDED ACCIDENT. WILL INSTALL NEW MASTER CYLINDER ON TECHNICIAN'S SUGGESTION. AT 77 YEARS OLD I AM AFRAID OF THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. HAVE OTHERS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE??

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH NEXT TO A CLOSE CURVE SAW A DEER IN FRONT OF VEHICLE ON ROAD. TRIED TO AVOID HITTING IT BY STEPPING ON BRAKES. THEY LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. NONE OF FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

WHENEVER I TURN ON THE HEATER, A/C, DEFROST, OR FAN MY ABS LIGHT TURNS ON AND MY BRAKES ARE SPONGY. I HAVE LOST ALL BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN MY CAR SITS FOR A WEEKEND, THE BATTERY DIES. INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY, STILL DIES. FORD CANNOT FIND A CAUSE FOR EITHER PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS CHANGED FOR THE LIGHTS, THOSE WENT OUT. ALSO, MY A/C FUSE HAD CAUGHT FIRE, WHOLE FUSE BOX AND BLOWER WAS REPLACED. *AK

WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES WITH NORMAL FORCE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL, CAUSING A CRASH. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V-075), HOWEVER DEALERSHIP DENIED SERVICE, VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY. *MJS

CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL THE VEHICLE IS SAFE, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF RECALLS (6) THAT HAVE BEEN SENT REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, REQUEST VEHICLE TO BE EXCHANGE OR RECALLED COMPLETELY DUE TO MANUFACTURER ERRORS, MOST RECENT RECALL (00V-075) BRAKE SYSTEM. *MJS

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.

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 00V075000/ REAR BRAKE VALVE. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING ENGINE REVVED AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND RUN UP AN A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

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

THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES AND RATTLES WHEN SLOWING DOWN..THE SMELL OF BURNING WIRES ARE PRESENT WHEN AC AND HEATERS ARE UTILIZED.VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU LIVE IN COLD CLIMATE AREA. COULD CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH DURING WINTER MONTHS. FORD SHOULD DO A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL ENGINE, INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS, AND FIX ROTORS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND THEN CUT OFF , WHEN VEHICLE CUT OFF, DRIVER LOST CONTROL BECAUSE THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK

THE LEFT FRONT AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND DAMAGED THE RIM OF IT. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT WAS JUST WORN OUT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE ENGINE RUMBLES WHEN IT IDLES. THE BRAKES GRIND ALL THE TIME, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT ROTOR 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THE CARPET COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE REAR SEATS AN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

THE LEFT FRONT AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND DAMAGED THE RIM OF IT. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT WAS JUST WORN OUT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME, AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE ENGINE RUMBLES WHEN IT IDLES. THE BRAKES GRIND ALL THE TIME, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE LEFT ROTOR 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THE CARPET COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE REAR SEATS AN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

IN JUNE 1998 REPLACED BRAKE PADS, AND HAD ROTORS TURNED BECAUSE THEY WERE WARPED. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AGAIN, INCLUDING ROTORS IN FEBRUARY 1999. TWO MONTHS LATER ROTORS AGAIN WARPED. IN JULY 1998 HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR. IN APRIL 1999 DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING - HAD HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED.

FORD NEED TO REPLACE THIS CAR WITH A SAFE ONE! COME ON 6 ELECTRICAL FAILURES? WHEN WILL THE FIRE START FROM THE FAILURES?..DATELINE NBC NEXT!

FORD NEED TO REPLACE THIS CAR WITH A SAFE ONE! COME ON 6 ELECTRICAL FAILURES? WHEN WILL THE FIRE START FROM THE FAILURES?..DATELINE NBC NEXT!

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY ARE NOT HARD BUT MEDIUM. WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY SPEED BUMP THERE IS A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE BY THE FUEL TANK. *AK

WHEN TURNING COULD HEAR A BUMPING SOUND IN STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. NOTHING WAS FOUND. NOISE WAS LOUDER. COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE DURING RAIN. THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW & STOP VEHICLE. HAD CRACKED FRONT END. THE FRONT SUSPENSION SWAY BAR ALSO BROKE. *AK

BRAKES AND BRAKE LINE FAILED.

BRAKES AND BRAKE LINE FAILED.

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP FOR NO REASON & THEN SHOT FORWARD. APPLYING BRAKES, DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. IT WENT OVER SMALL EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK

BRAKES FAILED.

BRAKES: BRAKES MAKE A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE.WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE'S A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP. HAS BEEN IN SHOP SO MANY TIMES THE DEALER INDICATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO FOR IT. *AK

BRAKES: BRAKES MAKE A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE.WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THERE'S A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO STOP. HAS BEEN IN SHOP SO MANY TIMES THE DEALER INDICATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO FOR IT. *AK

DEFECTIVE BRAKES.

BRAKES FAILED TWICE ONCE WHILE DRIVING IN AN ICE STORM, EACH TIME BRAKE FAILURE WAS FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE, HAD TO BE APPLIED 3 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING VEHICLE, SERVICED TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER PROBLEM NOT RECTIFIED.

VEHICLE PULSATES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DUE TO WARPED ROTORS.

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKES FAILED, THE THIRD TIME BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR, TOOK TO DEALER ON EACH TIME, DEALER SAID THE DRUMD WERE DIRTY. *AK

UPON SLIGHTLY WET SURFACE OR POSSIBLE OIL DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES SLIGHTLY, HE LOST CONTROL, HITTING CURB W/CAUSE UNKNOWN, RESULTIN GIN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK