1998 FORD CONTOUR Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

1998 FORD CONTOUR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES THE FAILED. THE REPAIR SHOP, STATED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS LINE LEADING TO THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO CORROSION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAKESAFE FRONT DISC PADS FOR THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES LATER, A GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD AND AN OUTER LINING ON THE PADDING FELL OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE PURCHASED NEW PADS, WHICH HE FELT WORKED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. HE ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE AUTO PARTS STORE FROM WHERE HE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE PADS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. HE ALSO CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE SERIAL NUMBER AND PART NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,970. UPDATED 06/25/08. *CN THE CONSUMER STATED PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER WAS WARPED AND THE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED. UPDATED 06/25/08

Mileage: 133,000

DT: VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CALLER SAID BRAKES DID NOT WORK VERY WELL WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME. DEALER SAID THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR BROKE ,AND REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT . MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

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

BRAKE FAILURE. ON A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT (~118,440 MILES), THE BOLT ATTACHING THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RESULTED IN A SINGLE POINT FAILURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON US 301, JUST SOUTH OF LAPLATA, MD, I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR FELT AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING APEARED IN THE ROAD (FROM THE MIRRORS). LATER WHEN SLOWING WHILE APPROACHING AA TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I HAD NO BRAKES. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ABLE TO GEAR DOWN AND USE WHAT LITTLE BRAKES REMAINED TO STOP THE CAR AND CRAWL IT TO A PARKING LOT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED IN, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONE BOLT ATTACHING ONE OF THE REAR CALIPERS HAD SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER ON THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT LOSE ANY BRAKE FLUID DURING ALL OF THIS.

Mileage: 118,410

BRAKE FAILURE. ON A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT (~118,440 MILES), THE BOLT ATTACHING THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RESULTED IN A SINGLE POINT FAILURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON US 301, JUST SOUTH OF LAPLATA, MD, I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR FELT AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING APEARED IN THE ROAD (FROM THE MIRRORS). LATER WHEN SLOWING WHILE APPROACHING AA TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I HAD NO BRAKES. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ABLE TO GEAR DOWN AND USE WHAT LITTLE BRAKES REMAINED TO STOP THE CAR AND CRAWL IT TO A PARKING LOT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED IN, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONE BOLT ATTACHING ONE OF THE REAR CALIPERS HAD SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER ON THE CAR. THE CAR DID NOT LOSE ANY BRAKE FLUID DURING ALL OF THIS.

Mileage: 118,410

HAD VEHICLE TAKEN IN FOR NORMAL PMI (PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION) SERVICING AND DURING INSPECTION-- THE REAR PCRV (PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE CORRODED AND LEAKING. THIS VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN WI (SALT IS USED ON ROADWAYS UP HERE). THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR THIS ITEM, BUT IT COVERS NON-ABS VEHICLES ONLY....... MY VEHICLE HAS THE ABS SYSTEM. IT LOOKS LIKE THE RECALL WASN'T EXPANDED FAR ENOUGH..... PROBLEMS ARE STILL OUT THERE!!!!! THE TECHNICIAN THAT DID THE REPAIR ON THE CAR SAID THAT HE HAD DONE THAT SPECIFIC RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES MULTIPLE TIMES, AND STATED THAT THE REPLACED PCRVS ON MY CAR WERE THE *OLD STYLE* VALVES..... THAT IS WHY HE WAS CONCERNED AND RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE PCRVS ASAP--- WHICH WAS DONE THAT DAY. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/INJURY/FATALITY INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT OBVIOUSLY. BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN. THE RELATED RECALL INFORMATION THAT I'M REFERRING TO IS AS FOLLOWS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 00V075000. *JB

Mileage: 122,000

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *NM

Mileage: 78,600

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

WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM

MY COMPLIANT IS THAT I WAS BACKING MY CAR UP AND THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP SPECIFICALLY THE RIGHT FRONT. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. YOU COULD SMELL BURNING AND SEE SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER EXTENSIVE WORK ON THE CAR WE FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER PISTON WOULD NOT RETRACT INTO THE CALIPER, AFTER THE MECHANIC REASSEMBLED THE CAR, HE FOUND OUT THE RIGHT CALIPER WOULD NOT BLEED OUT, AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING THE CONCLUSION WAS REACHED NO FLUID WOULD COME OUT OF THE PORT ON THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT TO THAT WHEEL. REPLACEMENT OF THE HCU AND MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS NECESSARY. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANICS ON 2-06-2003 AND WAS FINALLY FINISHED ON 2-20-2003. THE DELAY IN GETTING THE CAR FINISHED WAS BECAUSE IT WAS THE CONTOUR SVT MODEL 1998, CHANGES IN THE BRAKE PARTS HAD BEEN MADE AND WERE NOT EASY TO OBTAIN. THE FORD DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE JOB THEY HAD TO BE ORDERED. I HAVE ALL THE PARTS THAT WERE PULLED OFF THE CAR. ALSO LETTER FROM MY MECHANIC. *JB

ROTORS HAVE WARPED, AND CONSUMER HAD THEM REPLACED SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES LATER. NEW ROTORS ALSO WARPED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE ORIGIONAL ROTORS WARPED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP AND WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. *YH

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, DEALER STATED ROTORS WERE WARPED, HOWEVER VIBRATION CONTINUES. *SLC

AFTER RECALL WAS COMPLETED PROBLEM RECCURRED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WATER PUMP SHUT DOWN, AND TRANSMISSION VIBRATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

REAR BRAKES WERE ASSEMBLED BACKWARDS CAUSING BRAKES TO PARTIALLY FAIL AT HIGHER SPEEDS, DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *TT

POWER STEERING UNIT MAKES A LOUD NOISE IF BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ON ICE AND SNOW. A NOISE CAN BE HEARD ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. POWER STEERING FLUID HAS BEEN CHANGED, BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON DASH,AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BREAKS WERE FINE NOW SINCE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE VALVE. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD NO 3RD SPEED DUE TO BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH FAILURE. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE TAKES FUEL VERY SLOW DUE TO FUEL PIPE FLAPPER VALVE FAILURE. *YH

I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AT FORD ABS LST RECALL SUPR SIMON ID 3082 LAUGHED AT MY SITUATION AND I AM COMPLETELY DISSASTIFIED WITH THE LACK OF HELP ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL THAT CLD ENDANGER MY FAMILIESLIFE. *AK

WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED TBRAKES, AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SLID INTO A DITCH. THIS CAUSED FRONT END TO BE DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT BRAKE PADS WERE THE PROBLEM.

WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED TBRAKES, AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE SLID INTO A DITCH. THIS CAUSED FRONT END TO BE DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CHECKED VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT BRAKE PADS WERE THE PROBLEM.

CONSUMER HAD JUST PUT ON NEW BRAKES. BUT, 2 DAYS EARLIER BRAKES FAILED WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING, RESULTING IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. *AK CONSUMER STATES A VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THEM AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. *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

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

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

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

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

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

"MOD PUMP" FOR ABS BRAKE SYSTEM HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. NO REASON GIVEN FOR POSSIBLE CAUSE OF DEFECT. *AK PRIOR TO BREAKING OF THE PUMP, CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *YH

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

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP OR TO SLOW DOWN, BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE AS BEFORE AND PULL TO SIDE.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED WHEELS BUT THE VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE ALSO. *YH

CONSUMER STATES A NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE WHEELS ARE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT, WHEELS WERE REPLACED ONCE BY THE DEALER, WHEN DRIVING, SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL SHAKE VERY BAD. VEHICLE HAS BAD BRAKES. *SLC

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

CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, AND 60% BRAKING POWER WAS LEFT ON REAR. CONSUMER HAD BRAKES CHANGED AT 26,212 MILES, AND AT ANOTHER 25,00 MILES THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN. *AK

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

FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

RECENTLY MY 1998 CONTOUR SVT'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LOCKED UP WHEN APPLIED CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE. IN SOME CASES THE BRAKES HAVE REMAINED LOCKED AND ONLY RELEASED AFTER BEING TAPPED AND PRESSED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN CAUSED TO COME TO A HALT IN TRAFFIC. AVAILABLE AVENUES OF ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS BRAKING PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ARE EXHAUSTED. FORD'S STANDARD POLICY REQUIRES THE DEALER'S SERVICE FACILITY TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IN THIS CASE IS INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE IT. FORD REFUSES TO BE INVOLVED OR TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM BEYOND THE CLERICAL AREA THAT ANSWERS AT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. I PURCHASED THE ABOVE VEHICLE NEW FROM BORGMAN FORD IN GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN IN 1998. I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTINGTON FORD IN ROCHESTER HILLS ON TWO OCCASIONS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE I PAID TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ALSO A FEE TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED FOR THE LOCKUP PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND NO SOURCE WAS IDENTIFIED. AFTER THE LATEST INCIDENT HUNTINGTON PROVIDED A "LOANER" VEHICLE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS, BUT WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. INTERNAL FORD PROCEDURES BLOCK EFFORTS TO BRING THE SITUATION TO THE ATTENTION OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF FORD MANAGEMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, 800-392-3673--A HIGHER LEVEL OF AUTHORITY IS NOT AVAILABLE BY CALLING THIS NUMBER. MY FATHER ALSO CALLED FORD'S HEADQUARTERS, 313-322-3000, AND ASKED FOR CEO JACQUES NASSER. HE WAS CONNECTED TO MR. COLIN RICHARD, EXECUTIVE CONTACT MANAGER, AGAIN NO HIGHER LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT IS REACHABLE. RICHARD REFUSED TO SEND A WRITTEN STATEMENT CONFIRMING FORD'S POLICY AND THEIR REFUSAL TO RESPOND. MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THIS SERIOUS BRAKING PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY, DANIEL J. OSTERHART

BRACKET THAT HOLDS BRAKE LINE INTO THE REAR PART OF THE ENGINE MELTED OFF OR BROKE, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. CURRENTLY WILL TAKE TO THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. AND THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER WAS GOING OUT OF DRIVEWAY/ BACKING UP AND APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. VEHICLE SLID AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

I WAS IN TRANSIT TO REPLACE MY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR NOW STALLS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THESE ISSUES, AMONGST A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR FAILURES HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS LEMON ( COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, ETC.). NEITHER THE FORD MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIPS HAVE RESPONDED, AGREED OR OFFERED ANY INVESTIGATION, CORRECTION, COMPENSATION OR ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THESE PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN AND VERBAL MATTERS, AND LEGAL ACTION WILL COMMENCE. THE ISSUES LISTED IN THIS TABLE ARE ONLY THE RECENT (LAST 3 MONTHS), AND DO NOT INCLUDE THE MONTAGE OF PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, SOME OF WHICH ARE MENTIONED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

BRAKES RUB WHEN APPLYING.*ET

HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS DONE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HAD TO RESCHEDULE. THE LAST TWO RECALLS I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE DONE WHEN SCHEDULE. THE AIR BAG AND THE BRAKES WERE THE LAST TWO. I SCHEDULED THEM FINALLY IN APRIL THIS YEAR. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I EXPRESSED AGAIN HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO COME IN BECAUSE I WORK 5-6 DAYS A WEEK. AGAIN I RESCHEDULED FOR JULY. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT VERIFIED THE PARTS WERE THERE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. AGAIN LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. IT SEEMS TO BE THESE RECALLS ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. I ALSO ASKED WHY MY BRAKES SCRUBBED WHEN I STOPPED, THEY COMMENT WAS WE COULDN'T GET IT TOO. MY POINT IS IT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FORD PLACE CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME OR MY CAR.

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUING TO WARP. NEEDED REPLACEMENT EVERY 5000-10000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES VEHICLE TO VIRBRATE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AT 38000 AND 53000 MILES AND IS SUPPOSED TO LAST AT LEAST 80000 MILES. *AK

CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER, WEB SITE ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO OBTAIN REPAIRS. *MJS

CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER, WEB SITE ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO OBTAIN REPAIRS. *MJS

CONSUMER CALLED ON FEB 2, 2000 TO SEE IF PARTS WERE IN, AND THEY WERE NOT IN. *AK

COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF CAR BROKE. REPLACEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING WAS NECESSARY: SHOCK ABSORBER, CB SPRING, D BOOT, BEARING ASSEMNBLY, AA SEAT, MOUNTING ASSY, HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLY, CV JOINT ASSEMBLY, BRAKE SHOES, DISC BRAKE ROTOR, TIRES.*AK

BRAKES FAILED AND MADE NOISE WHILE IN USE. YH

THE BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL REDUCING VALVES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-075. NLM

CONSUMER IS VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THE NUMBER (7) OF RECALLS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD INCLUDING A RECENT BRAKE RECALL. NLM

CONSUMER IS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE NUMBER OF RECALLS (6) THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE AND FEELS THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. NLM

RECIEVED SEVEN RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, BRAKE RECALL

DEALER HAS NO REPAIR PARTS FOR RECALL #00V075000 CONCERNING REAR BRAKES, THEY MAY LOCKUP. THIS IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK.ET.

CONSUMER HAS RECIEVED YET ANOTHER RECALL AND IS FED UP BECAUSE HE HAD HAD TOO MANY THINGS GO WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. NLM

THE PCRV IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY HAVE FAILED PER RECALL NOTICE 00V-075 PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORN, JUMPED A DITCH AND LANDED ON FRONT BUMPER. NO DELPOYMENT OF AIR BAG OCCURED DURING ACCIDENT. NLM

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON WATER PUMP. A WEEK LATER, CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE ON THE WATER PUMP. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE. *AK

ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

WHEN CONSUME R STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO REDUCE SPEED OR TO STOP VEHICLE, HE COULD HEAR NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, LIKE THEY WERE FALLING APART. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND CAR MAKES A HARD NOISE. *AK

THE TIRES A BRAKES WORE PREMATURLY CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. NLM

THE TIRES A BRAKES WORE PREMATURLY CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. NLM

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES A HEAVY VIBRATION WILL OCCUR. ALSO BRAKES WILL SQUEAK.3 SET OF BRAKES ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES A HEAVY VIBRATION WILL OCCUR. ALSO BRAKES WILL SQUEAK.3 SET OF BRAKES ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

BRAKES EXPERIENCING A LOUD NOISE WHEN BRAKING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED IN RESULT OF THIS VEHICLE WAS IN ACCIDENT. *YC

WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDALVEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL AT THE SAME SPEED FOR 5, 10, OR MAYBE 15 SECONDS BEFORE SLOWNG DOWN. THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING TIME FOR BRAKING. THIS VEHICLE TO DO THIS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT WAS HARD AS IF SOMETHING WAS KEEPING IT FROM BEING PUSHED. BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL, CAUSING CONSUMER TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. CONSUMER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HEAD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STAYS ON. ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER SAYS SOMETHING IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GRIND, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING VIBRATION. *YC

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK

THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BRAKES MAKE NOISE CONTINUALLY DUE TO DESIGN. MJS

I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 10500 MLS.IT NOW HAS 16600 MLS.WHEN IT HAD 14435MLS TO 16600 MLS I HAD TO ADD BRAKE FLUID TWICE. *AK

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY AND A CRASH. ALSO AN HUMMING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, AFFECTING THE WAY VEHICLE DRIVES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. *AK

BRAKES MAKE GRINDING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON THREE OCCASIONS WITH ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. FRONT PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED, AND AFTER 1500 MILES, THE GRINDING REAPPEARS. DEALER SAYS BRAKE DUST IS THE CAUSE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I ASKED WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FIRST 18000 MILES THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM NOW ? PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE THREE CALLS TO THEIR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE FORD WILL INTERVENE. *AK

BRAKES MAKE GRINDING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON THREE OCCASIONS WITH ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. FRONT PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED, AND AFTER 1500 MILES, THE GRINDING REAPPEARS. DEALER SAYS BRAKE DUST IS THE CAUSE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I ASKED WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE FIRST 18000 MILES THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM NOW ? PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE THREE CALLS TO THEIR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE FORD WILL INTERVENE. *AK

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT THE ROTORS HAD WARPED, IT CAUSES THE STERRING WHEEL TO VIBRATE VOILENTLY ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE FREIND THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME CAR. *AK

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. PROBLEM SIINCE PURCHASE. *AK

BRAKES FAILED.

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE BRAKES AND A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL OCCURS. ALSO THER E IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PAD ANDSHOE ASSEMBLY AND DISC BRAKES TWICE. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THIS VEHICLE AS BEEN UNDER DEALER SERVICE SINCE NEW, THE FRONT DISC ARE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS ARE DAMAGED AT 24000 MILES, THE FIRST SERVICE FOR BRAKES ARE AT 30000 MILES. THE DEALER AND FORD REFUSES TO WARRANTY THE BRAKES AFTER 12000 MILES. THE BRAKES SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 40000 MILES BEFORE SERVICE.

FRONT BRAKES FAILED.

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 VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT GIVING ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY ARE HARD AND FOOT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACED THE AIR BAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIERE WASN'T ANY AIR IN THE AIR BAG. *AK

REAR DISC BRAKES DRAGGING. THE REAR BRAKE PADS REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE ROTORS EVEN WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE AND SERVICE BRAKE ARE RELEASED. SYMPTOMS REAR WHEELS WILL NOT TURN FREELY, REAR ROTORS APPEAR SCORED FROM CONTINUOUS PAD-CONTACT, EXCEPTIONALLY POOR FUEL ECONOMY (17-18 MPG HIGHWAY VS. 29 MPG EPA/DOE RATING). DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSE TO ADMIT EXISTENCE OF A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THE REAR BRAKES CLEARLY FAIL THE DIAGNOSTIC 'PINPOINT TESTS' SPECIFIELD IN FORD'S 1998 CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE WORKSHOP MANUAL. THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED, BUT IT MAY BE RELATED TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TSB 97-5-2 AND/OR TSB 96-25-6.