1998 FORD CONTOUR Electrical System Problems

WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 322 ON DAY AND HAD TO HIT THE BREAK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY BREAK FLUID RESIVOUR AND IT WAS EMPTY. I THINK THE PASSENGER SIDE DRUM BREAK IS LEAKING FLUID.

Mileage: 147,000

"TAKARA RECALL" MY HEATER MOTOR IN MY 98 FORD CONTOUR SE JUST STOPPED WORKING.

I JUST TRADED AND GOT THIS CAR, IT SEEMS TO SWAY IN THE BACK GOING OVER WET ROADS OR BUMPY ROADS NOT SURE WHAT IT IS, BUT I FEAR MY SAFETY AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THE HEATER BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THINGS FIXED IF THERE IS RECALLS ON THEM. *TR

Mileage: 163,000

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND THE ENGINE HARNESS WIRE OVERHEATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL I HAD TO CHANGE MY RADIATOR DUE TO A LEAK AND THE HARNESS WIRE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THAT WAS WHEN WE FOUND THE WIRE MELTED AND CRACKED AND COULD NOT BE REUSED. THIS HARNESS CONNECTS TO VEHICLE MAIN SUPPLY. WITHOUT HARNESS VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HARNESS. *TR

THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY BOX HAS WIRING FOR WHICH THE INSULATION COMES OFF EXPOSING LIVE, BARE WIRES. THIS LEADS TO SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH AFFECTS DRIVABILITY (ENGINE RUNS ERRATICALLY AND AFFECTS THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS OPERATION) AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE IF THE WIRING SUFFERS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF THE CAR'S FUEL SUPPLY OR ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL, THE DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL AND BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR COLLISION. FORD DOES NOT SALE REPLACEMENT PARTS NOR ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY CAR IS F8RZ14289CA. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE HARNESSES. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HIS TAIL LAMPS, PARKING LAMPS, AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS THREE SAFETY RECALLS. HOWEVER, I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME GETTING FORD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLS ARE: (A) 01S22 - HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR, (B) 99S14 - HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND (C) 99S23 - FRONT CRASH SENSORS. PRESENTLY MY AIRBAGS ARE OFFLINE AND OFFER NO CRASH PROTECTION. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED (BASICALLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR - THE SELLER DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED TO ME). THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE PERHAPS BURNING. SO NOW I DON'T HAVE DEFROST/DEFOG CAPABILITY. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO GET THE PARTS, BUT FORD HASN'T SHIPPED THEM. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

I OWN A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE V6 MANUAL TRANS VIN #[XXX] THE UNDER THE HOOD WIRING HARNESS IS FAILING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART BUT FORD CONTINUES TO SAY THAT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OR CRUMBLED OFF CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO RUN OR POTENTIAL DEADLY FIRE NO HELP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 93,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE EXPOSED AND CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 284,371.

Mileage: 284,371

WIRING CONNECTOR THAT FEEDS THE HVAC SYSTEM BURNED AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR PLUG AND MAIN FUSE BLOCK AT THE POINT OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS WIRE WAS A SIZE 10 AWG AND IS OVERSIZED FOR THE CONNECTOR THAT IT IS USED FOR. THIS CAUSED A FIRE AT THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE PICTURE IS YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

I HEARD ABOUT THE FORD CONTOUR ENGINE WIRING HARNESS RECALL ONLY BY INTERNET. MY CAR IS A FORD CONTOUR SPORT 1998. THE WIRE INSULATION IS PEELING OFF IN THE WHOLE HARNESS, AND THE CAR IS STOPPED NOW. MILEAGE IS APPROX. 110000. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY MESSAGE FROM FORD. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR. *TR

THE WIRING INSULATION ON MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR IS LITERALLY FALLING OFF THE WIRES. I AM AFRAID TO TOUCH ANY WIRE BECAUSE THE INSULATION JUST FLAKES OFF LEAVING BARE WIRE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND APPARENTLY IS FAIRLY COMMON IN THIS MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS BREAKING AND FALLING OFF.

Mileage: 190,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 82,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE WIRING AROUND THE HEATING UNIT SENSORS HAVE DETERIORATED. THE CODING HAS CRACKED OFF THE OTHER WIRES, CAUSING THEM TO BE EXPOSED. THIS ALLOWS ALL OF THE WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER, WHICH COULD CAUSE A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERABLE, BUT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE BECOMES EXTREMELY HIGH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS 15 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V230000. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR LX WITH ONLY APPROX. 53,000 MILES ON IT. I AM ON THE 4TH (FOURTH) ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT: AUGUST 2004, OCTOBER 2005, AUGUST 2006 AND NOW, SEPTEMBER 2008. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF FORD VEHICLE. *TR

1. ALL ENGINE WIRE HARNESS INSULATION IS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF. BARE WIRE AT MOST OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONNECTORS. UNKNOWN DAMAGE UNDER WIRE WRAPPING. EXISTING FORD RECALL COVER 95-97 YEAR MODELS. SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A 98 MODEL YEAR. 2. STILL WAITING FOR THE FIRST MAJOR MELTDOWN. CONNECTOR WIRES ARE PHYSICALLY PULLED APART TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 3. NO REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEM REPAIRED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,300.

Mileage: 27,300

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING LEAVING EXPOSED WIRES. FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD CONTOURS (ALL YEARS), BUT THAT A RECALL HAS ONLY BEEN ISSUED FOR 1995-1997 VEHICLES. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS NOT WORKING, SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY STOPS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT PROBLEMS ARE IN WIRING HARNESS. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND WITHIN A 1 YEAR REMAINDER OF A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL DEFECTS AND NHTSA RECALLS THAT ARE STILL IN EFFECT FOR THIS CAR MODEL YEAR. ONE OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS PERFORMED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER DONE TO MY SATISFACTION AND IT DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AS EXPECTED FOR THE RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO KEEP DRIVING IT AFTER WHAT I HAVE READ. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS VERY NEGLIGENT IN FOLLOWING UP WITH CONSUMERS ON THESE ISSUES, AND THEY KEEP AN OUTDATED DATABASE OF FORMER OWNERS WHICH THEY FAIL TO UPDATE WITH THE CURRENT OWNERS IN CASES WHERE THE CAR OWNERSHIP HAS CHANGED HANDS. I AM KIND OF CLOSE TO HIRING A LAWYER TO SUE THEM OVER THESE RECALL ISSUES. WHAT SHOULD I DO? ARE THEY STILL OBLIGATED TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUES AT THEIR EXPENSE? I AM CERTAINLY NOT ABOUT TO PUT ONE DIME OF MY OWN MONEY INTO THAT CAR TO FIX ISSUES COVERED BY RECALLS. AGAIN, I DO NOT WISH TO FIGHT OR WRANGLE WITH A COMPANY THAT IS SO AWFUL WHO PUTS OUT A TERRIBLE AND CHEAP PRODUCT LIKE THE FORD CONTOUR, THEN WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR. HOWEVER, IF THERE ARE FORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY BOUND TO, I WILL RESERVE MY RIGHT TO PURSUE THIS UNDER THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. PLEASE ADVISE. SINCERELY, MR. MCDONOUGH *TR

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.

Mileage: 115,000

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.

Mileage: 30,000

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

Mileage: 107,556

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

Mileage: 85,465

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.

Mileage: 135,150

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.

Mileage: 110,000

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

Mileage: 97,282

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

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

Mileage: 72,500

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

Mileage: 106,000

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

Mileage: 125,000

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

Mileage: 90,300

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!

Mileage: 70,000

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!

Mileage: 70,000

DT: CRACKED WIRING IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. ALL WIRES LEADING TO THE ENGINE, BATTERY, COIL AND POSSIBLE FUEL INJECTORS ARE CRACKED AND EXPOSED. LITTLE OR NO INSALATION ARE LEFT ON THE WIRES. WIRE HARNESS THAT LEADS TO THE ECU IS CRACKED AND EXPOSED. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A FIRE, BUT ALL THIS IS CAUSING MORE DAMAGE EVERYTIME THE CAR IS SERVICED. *AK

Mileage: 85,000

DEALER TOLD ME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD A SHORT. O2 SENSOR & COMPUTER IN CAR. THE CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED 3 TIMES ($1200.00 CHARGED BY TO ME BY DEALER EACH TIME) AND THE COMPUTER RESET. *AK MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL FIXED AND THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AGAIN (4 TIME!!)... THE TURN SIGNALS WORK AND THAN DO NOT .. I HAVE BEEN TOLD A SHORT IS IN THE CAR BUT FORD WILL NOT FIND FOR FREE.. I AM TIRED OF FIXING THIS CAR PLEASE PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 32,000

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TT

Mileage: 35,000

1.ABS BRAKE FUSE AND BLOWER MOTOR FUSE ARE ONE AND THE SAME, DARN COLD IN MINNESOTA, AND HARD TO GET TOO TO REPLACE. MUST PULL OUT BATTERY FIRST. TO REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP FOR ABS BRAKES TO FIX PROBLEM...$3000.00, MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH FOR TRADE IN OR RESALE VALUE. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER HITTING A DEER ON NOV. 26 2004. AND DOES NOT INCLUDE COSMETIC DAMAGE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. 2.FRONT AND BACK WINDOW MOLDING IS SHRINKING AND FORCING WINDOWS OUT, VERY DRAFTY. 3.SHIFT MODULE FAILED, TOOK TO FORD DEALER TO REPLACE, WHEN REPLACED THE DASH BOARD STARTED SMOKING. THE NEIGHBOR MODULE BURNT UP, AND ALL THE DASH BOARD WIRING. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR $1200.00, BUT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK OFF $200.00 OF THE LABOR COSTS. 4. I CALLED FORD ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO COMPLAIN. THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I HAVE DEALERS THAT WILL NOT TAKE IT ON A TRADE IN, BECAUSE IT'S A CONTOUR.*AK

Mileage: 75,000

THE BLOWER AND ABS SYSTEM WERE DEFECTIVE. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER INSPECTION WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES THROUGH 1997. *AK

Mileage: 48,000

SMOKE THEN FLAMES CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF PARKING IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INDICATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 72,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGES WAS DONE INCORRECTLY. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.*AK THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE OVERHEATING. *NM

Mileage: 80,250

1) A/C BLOWER SHUT OFF AND UPON INVESTIGATION A 60 AMP FUSE BROKE UNDER THE FUSE BOX IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD WERE DAMAGED. AND FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED SEVERAL OPEN WIRES COMING FROM THE BATTERY AND ONE COMMING FROM THE FUSE BOX WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE CAUSED THE FUSE TO BREAK. 2) NOTIFIED BY 2 DIFFERENT AUTO-ELECTRICAL REPAIR SHOPS THEY HAD SEEN SIMULAR DAMAGE AND INFORMED ME OFF THE COSTS OF A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS AND LABOR WHICH RANGED FROM $3800 - $4400. CHECKING OTHER VARIOUS WEB SITES SHOWED A LOT MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH RANGED FROM FIRES TO HAVING TO DRIVE WITH BROKEN FUSES OR HAVING TO PAY HIGH AMOUNTS TO REPLACE IT. 3) DOING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENTENCE BY CLEANING AREA AND SPRAYING A HIGH BASE IN THE AREA TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY EXPOSED WIRES TO THE ELEMENTS ON A WEEKLY BASES TILL I CAN AFFORD SUCH A LARGE REPAIR AND NOT REPLACING A FUSE WHICH CONTROLS MY BLOWER AND ABS. *AK

Mileage: 53,000

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUNTAINOUS AREAS, A SHORT WAS FOUND, AND WIRES WERE FOUND CHAFFED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 93,000

FORD REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL CAMPAIGN #01V230000 MANUFACTURER'S CAMPAIGN #01S22 CLAIMING "WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED". *NM

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99MO3 REGARDING WIRING HARNESS, RECALL ONLY AFFECTED VEHICLES FROM 1995-1997. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO SHORT OUT. DEALER WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE.*AK

Mileage: 74,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT SITTING MY DRIVEWAY WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT WHICH WILL NOT RUN BECAUSE IT HAS A DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS. I AM AWARE THAT THE 1995 THOURGH 1997 MODELS HAD A FACTORY RECALL BECAUSE THE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FAILED. THIS CAR IS A 1998 MODEL THAT WAS BUILT IN MAY OF 1997 AND THE INSULATION IS FALLING OFF THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WILL NOT RUN AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS WIRING HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM SHORTING OUT. IT IS ALSO HAS MAJOR PROTENTIAL TO BE A LIFE THREATENING FIRE HAZZARD. *AK

Mileage: 74,000

DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BRONZE TERMINALS, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS STATED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRE HARNESS RECALL 99V103000. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *AK *MR

Mileage: 119,700

THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. *NM

Mileage: 80,500

VEHICLE IS WITHOUT DASH LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 79,000

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, SPRINGS, BRAKES LAST 4 MONTHS,WATER PUMPS WENT AT 63,000, TIRES WEAR OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR, TEMPERATURE GAUGES DO NOT READ RIGHT. ENGINE RACES, SOLENOID WENT....VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT NO HELP? *LA

Mileage: 63,000

MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS IN MOTION AT AROUND 45 MPH. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION OFF THE ROADWAY. THE COMPUTER WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, I DROVE AROUND THIRTY MILES AND NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON. RETURNING TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. I REPLACED THAT, AND ABOUT 4 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED AGAIN, WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD, IN MOTION. THE DEALER MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS WHICH WOULD COST $2000 TO $4000 TO REPAIR. WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO GOT THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN FOR $1400, AND THE CAR HAS DIED AGAIN. I AM SEEKING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND REQUEST THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THE WIRING HARNESS ON 98 FORD CONTOUR SE'S AND FIND OUT IF OTHER DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I WAS LUCKY TWICE. IF IT HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN.

Mileage: 107,000

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. *AK

Mileage: 18,000

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. *AK

Mileage: 18,000

NO DASH LIGHTS, BACK-UP, OR LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. TOOK TO DEALER AND DASH LIGHTS WERE FIXED $200.PLUS. BUT NO CLOCK LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT OR BACK-UP LIGHTS. ALL FUSES WHERE CHECKED AND OK.*AK

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPED AND WAS REPAIRED. MR SCC

THE HEATER WENT OUT IN OUR CAR, SO WE DECIDED TO FIX IT AT HOME. AFTER TAKING OUT THE BAD PART, WE DISCOVERED IT WAS MELTED. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE WEB TO SEE IF YET ANOTHER RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. INDEED IT HAD. WE DON'T REMEMBER BEING NOTIFIED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR. THEY FIXED IT. ONE MONTH LATER, OUR HEATER BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT. WE BELIEVE THIS IS IN DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR THAT WAS MELTED. WE ENDED UP PAYING OUT OF POCKET TO GET A NEW HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, BUT NOT AFTER TRYING TO CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICES. WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM, WE COULD NOT TALK TO A MANAGER ( THEY WOULD HAVE TO CALL US BACK WHEN IT WAS CONVENIENT FOR THEM). THEY CALLED BACK THREE TIMES. ALL THREE TIMES WE WERE OUT, WHEN WE CALLED THEM BACK WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TO BE CALLED BACK AT FORDS CONVENIENCE. AFTER THE THIRD TIME THEY CALLED AND WE WEREN'T HOME, THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T BE BOTHERED WITH OUR COMPLAINT ANYMORE. WHILE WE WERE AT THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP OUR CAR, WE INSISTED SOMEONE FROM FORD TALK TO US. THEY LIED AND SAID OUR COMPLAINT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL AND THEY KNOW THIS BECAUSE THEY TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. WE KNOW THEY LIED BECAUSE HE WAS OUT ALL DAY, AND WE ASKED HIM IF HE TALKED TO FORD AND HE SAID NO. THE SERVICE MANAGER DID FINALLY SAY THAT THE PART THAT WAS MELTED DID CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO THE DEMISE OF THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, BUT THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. HE SAID OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATES.*JB

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HEAT WAS EXTREMLY HOT COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN VEHICLE RAN OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ONE DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED 12 TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE PURCHASED. NLM THE VEHICLE STALLED THE SECOND DAY THE CONSUMER EVER DROVE IT. THE BLOWER ON THE A/C AND HEATER FAILED. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. IT TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ALARM SYSTEM. *NM

TURN SIGNAL ELECTRICAL HARNESS MALFUNCTION, NO 4-WAY OR TURN SIGNAL AT ALL. REPLACED WITH ANOTHER ELECTRICAL HARNESS, WORKED FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS THEN MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN, THIS TIME LEFT TURN SIGNAL INOP AT THE HARNESS(SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.)

ALTERNATOR ORIGINALLY REPLACED ON 06/04/2001,PART FAILED ON 05/16/2002. *AK

TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LAMPS BURN OUT VERY FREQUENTLY (ONCE EVERY MONTH OR TWO). IN MID-OCTOBER, THE TURN SIGNAL BURNED OUT, AND CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER SAID THAT PART OF THE FITTING THAT THE TAIL LAMP PLUGS INTO HAD MELTED, THUS SHORTING OUT THE CIRCUIT AND RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE SIGNAL. *AK

CONSUMER HAD RECALL(01V23000) REPAIRS PERFORMED AND WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT SHE WAS ENTITLED TO A REFUND, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT A CHECK HAD BEEN ISSUED, AFTER NOT RECEIVING A CHECK FOR 3 WEEKS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A CHECK HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE FORD WAS NOT AUTHORIZING THE REFUND, FORD STATED THE DEALER DID NOT GO THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS TO BE REIMBURSED, THE DEALER THEN TOLD CONSUMER THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER AND TRY TO GET THE MONEY BACK FROM FORD, HOWEVER CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED A REFUND.*JB

THE WIRING OF THE MAIN FUSE PANEL CRYSTALIZES DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSES A BREAKAGE IN THE WIRING AND THE WIRING TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF BY CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR NOT TO WORK. THE WIRING GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KNOW OF OTHER CONTOURS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM.*AK

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL HAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING THAT CAUSES BULBS TO CONSTANTLY BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE, NO FLAMES JUST WIRES BURNING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 01V230000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S22.MADE AND APPOINTMENT, AND PART WAS ORDERED 4 DAYS AHEAD, AT THAT TIME INFORMATION CAME UP AS A RECALL. ONCE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PULL UP RECALL, AND DENIED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

STALLS FOR NO REASON, WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR OR WHEN I COME TO A STOP. ALSO AT A SLOW SPEED.*AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A "LEMON" SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST, 1997 FROM SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE CAR DROVE "ROUGH" NOT SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY WAS VIBRATING, AND SIMPLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME. THE VIBRATIONS WOULD OCCUR AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, INCREASING THE FASTER YOU DROVE. YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL AND SEE YOUR BODY SHAKE. THE RIDE WAS THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF A SMOOTH ONE. ROUGH AND BUMPY, EVEN ON SMOOTH, FLORIDA ROADS. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE YOU WERE "PUSHING" OR "FORCING" IT TO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MANUVER, GENERALLY STICKING WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS. A COUPLE OF TIMES, THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS. WHEN REPORTED TO FORD, THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT THAT "PER THE MANUAL, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED SOME TYPE OF OVERHAUL, AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES, THERE WAS SMOKE AND A BURNING RUBBER TYPE SMELL EMITTING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THIS WAS BROUGHT INTO FORD SEVERAL TIMES, AND NOT FIXED. THE FINAL TIME, THE ENTIRE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE--I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER, MARLON HANSON, FROM THE VEHICLE ON MY CELL PHONE, BECAUSE I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR MAY BURST INTO FLAMES. HIS REMARKS MADE IT SOUND LIKE "NO BIG DEAL" JUST BRING IN THE CAR. MEANWHILE, I HAD TO PULL OVER, I WAS SO SCARED, NOT KNOWING IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE OR EVEN BLOW UP. THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TWICE MORE FOR THIS REPAIR, AND FINALLY APPEARS TO BE FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS SOME WIRING THAT WAS BURNING, OR STARTING ON FIRE. OUR ONLY COMPENSATION FOR THAT WAS A FREE RENTAL CAR, AFTER I PRESSURED THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE CASSETTE PORTION OF THE RADIO BROKE EARLY ON. NEVER ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE WITH DEALER OR FORD. STEERING COLUMN IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER-VERY HARD TO TURN. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENDLY COMES ON, AT ANY SPEED. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT NEWER TIRE KEEPS DEFLATING--PER TBS, COIL SPRING PROBLEM?*A

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WILL START UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 5MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LOOSE LUGS: NUTS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING: FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, CV BOOT, BRAKES, AIR FILTER, WIRE, ROTORS NEED TURNING, TIMING GEAR, TIMING BELT, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 5MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LOOSE LUGS: NUTS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING: FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, CV BOOT, BRAKES, AIR FILTER, WIRE, ROTORS NEED TURNING, TIMING GEAR, TIMING BELT, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *SLC

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

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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

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

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

FIRST DAY CAR WAS BOUGHT ENGINE DIED, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER CONTOUR. CURRENTLY, VEHCILE WILL SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE WAS ACTING UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IT JERKS AND VIBRATES, CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LIKE THEY SAID. 1 TIME FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FRONT SWAY BAR REPLACED, STEERING WOULD SHIMMY AND RATTLE. BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, DUE TO RATTLING NOISE IN AIR CONDITIONER, ALSO CYCLING SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT ACT. REAR STRUTS REPLACED, NOISY. *SLC

FIRST DAY CAR WAS BOUGHT ENGINE DIED, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER CONTOUR. CURRENTLY, VEHCILE WILL SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE WAS ACTING UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IT JERKS AND VIBRATES, CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LIKE THEY SAID. 1 TIME FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FRONT SWAY BAR REPLACED, STEERING WOULD SHIMMY AND RATTLE. BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, DUE TO RATTLING NOISE IN AIR CONDITIONER, ALSO CYCLING SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT ACT. REAR STRUTS REPLACED, NOISY. *SLC

MY CAR FREQUENTLY SMELLS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I HARDLY EVER DRIVE IT. I AM ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT ARTICLES ABOUT POSSIBLE FIRES IN CONTOUR MODELS. I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SITUATION.*AK

WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS ARE SAME SYMPTOMS AS MENTIONED IN INVESTIGATION # EA01001. HAS REPLACED WIRING HARNESS 8 TIMES. *AK

BLOWER STARTED FUNCTIONING SPORADICALLY. TOOK TO A DEALER AND THEY REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A RESISTOR FAILURE IN BLOWER. FORD REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. HE PARKED AND VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED FIRE.*AK

NOT ABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION, IGNITION CYLINDER SEIZED, PROBLEM CORRECT BY DEALERSHIP. CJ

HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES SUDDENLY/ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND FUSE BETWEEN BLOWER AND HEATER POPPED OUT. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME BRAKES WERE APPLIED SUDDENLY. WOULD HAVE NO CODES. WOULD PUT 80 AMPS FUSE IN & SAME THING HAPPENED. HEATER MOTOR WOLD STILL BE RUNNING & ABS LIGHT ON. FRONT END BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. BACK BRAKES DID NOT WORK. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

IGNITION POWER MODULE SHORTED OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHEN APPYLING ABS BRAKES SYSTEM FAILED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION WITHIN BLOWER SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. *AK WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED THE LIGHTS AND THE BLOWER MOTOR WORKED NORMAL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT WATER INTRUSION CAUSED WIRE DAMAGE REQUIRING COMPLETE WIRE HARNESS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SKIP THE REPAIR DUE TO A VERY HIGH COST OF REPAIR. *YH

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE, CAR LEFT ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

ABS DID NOT WORK IN SNOW. DEALER SAID WIRE HARNESS HAD MOISTURE IN IT. HAVE TO REPLACE HARNESS. COST: $3000+*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START. IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGED KEY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF 3 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. A TOTAL OF 6 SIX TIMES OVER LAST 3 YEARS. EACH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, IT WILL NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE CRANKING TIME DUE TO FAULTY STARTER. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE CRANKING TIME DUE TO FAULTY STARTER. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE CRANKING TIME DUE TO FAULTY STARTER. NLM

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX MY CAR. YET THEY FIND IT NECCESSARY TO KEEP MY CAR FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. I AM AT THE POINT TO WHERE I WANT THEM TO TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND GIVE ME A NOTHER ONE. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE NO MORE RENTAL CAR FEES AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT MY SITUATION LIKE OH WELL. THAT IS NOT FAIR TO ME. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL ELEVIATE MY PROBLEM PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME.*AK

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE FORD DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX MY CAR. YET THEY FIND IT NECCESSARY TO KEEP MY CAR FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. I AM AT THE POINT TO WHERE I WANT THEM TO TAKE THIS CAR BACK AND GIVE ME A NOTHER ONE. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE NO MORE RENTAL CAR FEES AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT MY SITUATION LIKE OH WELL. THAT IS NOT FAIR TO ME. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR ANY KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL ELEVIATE MY PROBLEM PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH ME.*AK

I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. ABOUT 2 MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR I HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED, THEN REPLACED AGAIN AFTER THAT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE CAR, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER HEADACHES I'VE DEALT WITH. I'M REALLY CONSIDERING NOT TO EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR, THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED

FUSEBOX: BOUGHT CAR IN JULY 1999, HAD TO HAVE THREE RECALLS FIXED, ONE OF THEM WAS ON THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WE WENT AND HAD ONE OF THE RECALLS CORRECTED, THE NEXT WEEK WE WERE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE REMAINING TWO FINISH, ON WEDNESDAY OF THAT WEEK THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WE HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK IT THAT FRIDAY WHEN THEY FIXED THE AIR BAG SENSOR, THE MECHANIC SAID THE FUSE BOX WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HE REPLACED THE FUSE BOX (FREE OF CHARGE) AND WE WENT ON OUR WAY, THEN ON 8/14/2000 AS WE WERE AGAIN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 55 THE AIR CONDITIONER DIED AGAIN, WE READ THROUGH THE CAR MANUAL AND FOUND THE CORRECT FUSES TO THE BLOWER MOTOR AND A/C, WE CHANGED THOSE FUSES, THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, WE THEN CHANGED THE RELAYS, (WHICH WERE VERY HARD TO GET REPLACEMENTS FOR), THAT DIDN' T FIX IT EITHER, FINALLY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD THEM CHACK IT, THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUSE IN THE FRONT (WHICH THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID SHOULD ONLY BE CHANGED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD MECHANIC) THAT HAD BLOWN AND WHEN IT DID IT FUSED THE FUSE TO THE CONNECTOR AND THAT THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THIS TIME AT A COST OF OVER $400.00 TIRES: WE HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE TWO FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA P205/60R15 90T M+S TIRES BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS COMING AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL AT THE SEEM, IT WAS SO BAD THERE WERE SMALL FLAPS OF THE TREAD THAT STUCK STRAIGHT OUT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PEEL A BANANA.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )

THE FUSE TO TURN SIGNALS CONTINUE TO BLOW, AND THERE IS NO WARNING UNTIL ATTEMPED TO USE THE SIGNAL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER IN MAY 2000 FOR SHIFT INDICATOR PROBLEM RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND APPROXIMNATELY 12 FUSES BLEW OVER ALL. *YH

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN HORN BLOWS THERE IS A BURNT WIRE SMELL, AND THE HORN BECOMES INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

60 AMP MEGA FUSE BLEW, THIS CAUSED ANTI LOCK FAILURE, LIGHT AND VENTILATION/HEATER/DEFROSTER FAILURE. NLM

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEAT WENT OFF. THERE WAS RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. CONSUMER WAS LOOKING OUT OF REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER APPLIED EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND VEERED OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE, AND SHE WAS STRUCK BY A TRUCK ON THE REAR. CAR WAS TOWED. CONSUMER SUFFERED INTERNAL INJURIES.*AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT A FRIEND HOUSE, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO BURN FROM THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM CHICAGO ON I55, THE WATER PUMP (WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED) WENT OUT. WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE ONLY INDICATION THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG WAS A WHINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHICH STOPPED AFTER A SHORT INTERVAL. WITHIN AN HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS DESTROYED. A NEW ENGINE, WATER PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THAT IS STILL BEING DONE, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK WITHOUT CHARGE, AND HAVE GIVEN ME A RENTAL CAR TO USE IN THE MEANTIME, HOWEVER, WITH A NEW ENGINE, THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME A 9,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CAR REPAIRED. SINCE THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT, A FAIRLY NEW CAR, AND A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON THE FORD MANUFACTURER THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT A FULL WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS IS JUSTIFIED. ADDITIONALY, AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, I HAD FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MY CARE. THE THOUGHT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIX LAND TRAFFIC PATTERN IN CHICAGO WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS ACCIDENT WITH ALL OF US POSSIBLY BEING KILLED. I THINK THAT THE FORD MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. GINGER GRANGER

STARTER RELAY FAILED. *ET

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STALLED OUT. NOTICED A REFLECTION OF FLAMES ON THE GROUND. LIFTED HOOD OF VEHICLE & NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER PUT FLAMES OUT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS JUST REPLACED, TWICE, PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS NO WARNING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OUR ALTERNATOR WIRE MELTED OFF AT THE CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR, THE WIRE AND A 175 AMP FUSE WERE ALL BAD. A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR COULD NOT BE FOUND IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS SO THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR WAS REBUILT. I HAVE IN MY POSSESION THE BLOWN 175 AMP FUSE AND THE MELTED ALTERNATOR WIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAS MELTED ON OUR 1998 CONTOUR. IT IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE CORRECTION BEING, REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE WIRE ON CONTOURS WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OUR ALTERNATOR WIRE MELTED OFF AT THE CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR, THE WIRE AND A 175 AMP FUSE WERE ALL BAD. A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR COULD NOT BE FOUND IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS SO THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR WAS REBUILT. I HAVE IN MY POSSESION THE BLOWN 175 AMP FUSE AND THE MELTED ALTERNATOR WIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HAS MELTED ON OUR 1998 CONTOUR. IT IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE CORRECTION BEING, REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE WIRE ON CONTOURS WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE THE ROAD STARTER ENGAGED. I STOPPED THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE STARTER CONTINUE TO TURN THE ENGINE AS IF I WAS CRANKING THE CAR. I REMOVED ALL FUSES THAT WERE RELATED TO THE STARTING SYSTEMS OF THE CAR. THE STARTER CONTINUED TO CRANK THE ENGINE UNTIL IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS AT THE STARTER THE BEST I COULD TELL UNDER THE ENGINE INTAKE . OTHER ITEMS DAMAGED UNKNOWN. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY GOING WEEK OVER THE PAST MONTH. THIS MORNING THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. LAST DROVE 2 DAYS PRIOR.

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE BLEW UP, CAUSING THE CONNECTORS / VEHICLE TO MELT. CONSUMER WAS HURT.

4 RECALLS-THAT I KNOW OF- NOW THIS PROBLEM-WILL STALL SOMETIMES

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, HAD TO UNTWIST BELT TO USE IT. ALSO, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT, NOTHING HAD HIT IT/IGNITION KEY SWITCH WOULD RATTLE WHEN INSERTING KEY & TAKING IT OUT, AND SUN ROOF LOCK WAS NOT WORKING. SUNROOF COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED . TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK PROBLEMS. *AK

THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE HORN, BRINKER'S AND BRAKE LIGHT'S NOT TO WORK. ALSO, ALL THE RUBBER HAS FALLEN OFF THE DOOR PANEL, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T RETRACT. *AK

ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM DASH AREA. WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN ABANDONED CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT DEALER IN GEORGIA. TWO DAYS AFTER FIRST REPAIR SAME ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE. WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ABONDONED CAR FOR A SECOND TIME. WIFE IS CONCERNED OVER CHILDRENS SAFETY. TAKEN TO SECOND DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER OBSERVED PROBLEM WHILE HE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM DASH. DEALER QUICKLY OPENED GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE THE SECOND TIME. PROBLEM WAS WITH WIRING HARNESS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD HAS INFORMED ME OF ROOT CAUSE. AM CONCERNED PROBLEM CAN AGAIN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA. DESIRE TO KNOW ROOT CAUSE, AND FIX TO ASSURE SAFETY OF FAMILY.

WHENEVER IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD LOCK UP. KEY WOULD STILL BE IN IGNITION SWITCH. HAD TURNED TO LOCK POSITION WHILE NOTHING WAS IN USE AT THE TIME. BEEN TO DEALER 4 OR 5 TIMES FOR PROBLEM, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

KEY WILL NOT FIT INTO IGNITION CAUSING FAILURE. *YC

WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER READS 0 MPH, THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AND ALL OF THE EMISSION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. *YC

WHILE DRIVING DASH CAUGHT FIRE RIGHT BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND 3 RESISTOR BOARDS. *AK

WHENEVER THE AUTOMOBILE IS DRIVEN THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER OR UPON PROLONGED DRIVING ON A WET ROAD, THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE POWER STEERING REMAINS LOCKED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UP TO OVER ONE MINUTE BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THESE CONDITIONS ALSO CAUSE THE "BATTERY" LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1998, BUT THEIR FIX ACTION "REPLACING A HEADLIGHT WIRING ASSEMBLY" DID NOT APPEAR TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED IMMEDIATELY THE NEXT TIME THAT THE AUTOMBILE WAS DRIVEN ON A RAINY DAY. UPON RETURNING THE AUTOMOBILE A SECOND TME, I WAS INFORMED BY BOTH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND A SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF BUT IS MAKING NO ATTEMPT TO INFORM THE AUTOMOBILE OWNERS UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM.

CAR WILL NOT START. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER TURNED AIR CONDITIONER ON AND SMOKE CAME FROM KNOB AREA. INSIDE OF KNOB HAD MELTED CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THER E IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS. *AK

WHEN THE HORN IS IN USE IT FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN PRESSED. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, WHICH WERE NOT DONE. HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER, AGAIN, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. *AK

THE REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION KEY IS VERY DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO OBTAIN, CONTAINS CHIP NECESSARY TO START VEHICLE. MJS

STARTER FAILED. YH

FUSE FOR COMPUTER FAILED. YH

COMPUTER BOARD HAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AND NOT REGISTER. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MID 2/99. AS OF 18 FEB 99 PARTS STILL NOT RECEIVED. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A MFR. RECALL REPAIRS , UNDER DASH FIRE BROKE OUT WHILE IN THE DEALER SHOP FOR REPAIRS; NEEDS HELP ON THIS MATTER. *AK

FUSE BOX CAN BE OPENED AND THE FUSES CAN NOT BE REACHED. DEALER STATES THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED. *AK

WHEN PUMPING GAS WAS DIFFICULT TO START VEHICLE. A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD. NEW GAS TANK WAS INSTALLED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE KNOCKING AND SQUEALING. REPLACED THREE TIMES. SUNROOF MOTOR WENT OUT. REPLACEMENT MADE. ALSO, STARTER PROBLEMS OCCURRED. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND THE THE HORN DOESN'T WORK. ALSO, THE HORN IS VERY HARD WHEN TRYING TO PRESS IT. DEALER REPAIRED THE HORN, AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

IGNITION ALLOWED DRIVER TO PULL KEY OUT OF IGNITION WHILE AUTOMOBILE WAS STILL IN DRIVE-. THE AUTOMOBILE ROLLED BACKWARD WHEN DRIVEN EVEN IF THE KEY WAS OUT OF IGNITION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS/TAIL LIGHTS/INTERIOR LIGHTS TO GO OUT, WHICH ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CURRENTLY AT DEALER AWAITING PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK