1999 FORD CONTOUR Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I HAVE A 1999 FORD CONTOUR I BOUGHT IT AND 6 MONTHS LATER THE TIMING BELT WENT OUT THIS COST ME $800.00 OUT OF POCKET AFTER THE WARRANTY PAID THEIR PART. DROVE IT ANOTHER 3 MONTHS WHEN IT STALLED OUT AND STARTED SPUTTERING I REPLACED THE PLUGS, WIRES, IGNITION CONTROL BOX, AND FUEL FILTER AND FOUND A HOSE THAT HAD A HOLE IN IT FROM BEING MELTED AFTER REPLACING ALL OF THAT FOUND THE TRANSMISSION TO BE LEAKING AND NO WAY TO GET TO IT EASILY. STILL RAN CRAPPY TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT BROUGHT IT HOME AND IT WON'T RUN ANYMORE IT STILL DOES NOT RUN NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO HAD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK WHILE STILL PAYING ON THIS ONE AND CAN NOT USE IT ANYMORE. THIS IS MY SECOND FORD AND I WILL NOT EVER GET ANOTHER ONE. AND WITH ALL THIS GOING ON WHEN THE MECHANIC SHUT THE BACK PASSENGER THE GLASS SHATTERED AND IT WAS SHUT NORMALLY. ALSO THE RADIO HAS ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 99,279

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A GAP NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT, WHICH OVER TIME, CAUSED THE VENT TO SINK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (KEN GORDON FORD) AND HAD IT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE, THE DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A GAP NEXT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT, WHICH OVER TIME, CAUSED THE VENT TO SINK BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (KEN GORDON FORD) AND HAD IT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPAIRED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

1999 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT DASHBOARD PEELING. MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO PEEL AWAY AT APPROX 60,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 80,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF A RECALL ON THIS MATTER, WHICH WAS APPARENTLY A SECRET. I HAVE OWNED 3 FORDS AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DUE TO THE LAX CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCT FAILURE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ALL THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED (I AM 60 AND HARDLY HOT RODDING), REAR STRUTS AND SOMETHING RELATED TO A LOUD HUMMING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CAR TO REMAIN IN WORKING ORDER AND PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY STICKING IN THE IGNITION AND ALSO A FUEL PUMP. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THREE TIMES FOR DIFFERENT OXYGEN SENSORS. THESE GREATLY EFFECT THE GAS MILEAGE AND TIMING OF ENGINE RESULTING IN MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC STATED HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF FORD CONTOURS IN WITH THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. COST IS MINIMUM $250-$450 TO REPLACE. *JB

Mileage: 40,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IN GEAR. A POP NOISE WAS HEARD AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS AND IT WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS PROCESSED.*AK UPDATED 12/11/06. *JB

Mileage: 95,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH BLUE SMOKE ISSUED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THERE WAS ALSO A RATTLING SOUND EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MOTOR THEN BOGGED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE UPON INSPECTION, THE SERVICE DEALER'S MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. ON 7/13/06, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EVENTS AND STALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED.

Mileage: 98,616

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. *TS TO DATE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES. *NM

Mileage: 73,000

NHTSA WEBSITE CONFIRMS 79 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF FORD'S KNOWN MANUFACTURE DEFECTS IN DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COMPROMISES THE OCCUPANT/PEDESTRIAN SAFTEY: WARPED DASH PANEL AND SPRUNG OUT FRONT DEFROST GRILL OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VIEW; LOOSE GRILL STRIKES WINDSHIELD WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND COULD BREAK IT; DEFLECTS PROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; PROPER AIRFLOW OF DEFROST IS DEFLECTED; FORD KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURES AND SELLS DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. THEN IMMEDIATELY ISSUES A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" NOTICE (IN THIS CASE CPS # 01B78) THAT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE DESIGNED TO PREEMPT MANIFESTATION OF THE DEFECTS BY THE CUSTOMER. ON MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE, THE DEFROSTER GRILL HAS SPRUNG OUT AND JUTS OUT OF ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE AIRFLOW FROM DEFROST MECHANISM IS OBSTRUCTED. DASHBOARD WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH THE FISSURE SPREADING TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINED TO DO REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE, STATING FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE BECAUSE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM EXPIRED AUGUST 2002. INSTEAD, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED ME THE LOYAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DEAL OF MAKING THE REPAIR FOR COST OF ONLY $1638.12. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 1999 FOR $18077.16 (FINANCED PRICE OF $24318.40)!!! MY CAR LOAN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL FEBRUARY 2004 WITH NO LATE PAYMENTS. MY VEHICLE'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE BY THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I AM A SECOND TIME FORD OWNER; MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A 1992 FORD TEMPO. HOWEVER, LORD WILLING, THE 1999 CONTOUR WILL BE MY LAST. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I INCURRED SELDOM USED A/C REPAIR $275 FAULTY ENGINE LIGHT 02 SENSORS REPLACE $500 DEALER CUT BRAKE ROTERS TOO LOW $800. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR THAT HAD CRACKS IN THE FLYWHEEL ALONG THE REAR AREA OF THE MOTOR. THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO CONFIRMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FLYWHEEL. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS CRACKING IT IS NEAR THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE FLYWHEEL ONTO THE MOTOR. THIS HAPPENED FROM HOLE TO HOLE AS IF IT WAS AT A FATIGUED POINT. WAS REPLACED AT 40,000 KILOMETERS, AND THE SECOND FLYWHEEL NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT 126,000 KILOMETERS. THERE WERE NO OTHER APPARENT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE OTHER THEN THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING ON BOTH THE ORIGINAL FLYWHEELS AND THE REPLACEMENT. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

DT: THE CONSUMER COULD HEAR THE RADIATOR COMING ON/OVER AND OVER AGAIN. PREVIOUSLY IT OVERHEATED IN JUNE 2004. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS THEY CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, ADDED MORE WATER TO THE RADIATOR, AND SOMETHING ELSE IN THE TRANSMISSION AREA. WHEN THE CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEM RECURRED. AFTERWARDS, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THEY TOLD HER THAT IT WAS DUE TO A BRACKET THAT BROKE.. DEALER REPLACED THE RADIO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THEY REPLACED THE RADIO. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD WAS LOOSENING AND THERE WERE WIRES SHOWING. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW KNOB CAME OFF. THESE WERE THE ONLY KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO ACCIDENTS CONCERNING THESE ISSUES. *AK

Mileage: 65,000

WELL I HAD THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER IN MY LIFE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. I HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED SO MANY TIME I CANT START TO NAME OFF DATES. I DO KNOW LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR I DROVE TO THE BEACH LESS THAN 30 MINUTES ALWAYS AND IT CUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK UP, BUT CUT OFF 4 TIME BEFORE I GOT HOME. NEXT DAY I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR IT. SINCE I HAD THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A BURDEN. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT ONCE BEFORE, AND AS I WRITE THIS LETTER IT IS BEING DONE AGAIN FOR A 2ND TIME. MY HEAT AND AIR STOP WORKING. HEAT ONLY WORKS ON HIGH, AND MY DEFROST TAKE FOR EVER TO CLEAR MY WINDOWS. MY DOOR JUST WONT STAY CLOSED IT POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ON MY PASSENGERS SIDE ON THE FLOOR. IT GETS SOAKED WITH RAIN EVERYTHING. IF ITS RAINY AND IM DRIVING MY CAR MAKES A LOUD SCRATCHING NOISE. MY BRAKES HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. SHOCKS GAVE OUT LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER BUYING MY CAR. MY ENGINE LIGHT WONT GO OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO OVER 3 FORD DEALERS AND MANY SHOPS, AND NO CAN SAY WHY THE LIGHT KEEP POPPING ON. SO TODAY I DROPPED MY CAR OFF TO THE SHOP TO HAVE BRAKES,DOOR,ENGINE LIGHT, BALL JOINTS AND TO SEE WHY THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT KEEP BLINKING WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS IS THE WORST CAR EVER MADE BY FORD. I KNOW ITS NOTHING ON MY BEHALF WHY THIS CAR IS SO HORRIBLE BECAUSE IS KNOW 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. THEY WERE SMART ENOUGH TO GET RID OF THIS PIECE OF '!@#$%, I JUST CANT AFFORD IT. WELL I KNOW THIS SUMMER IF I DO HAVE THE PLEASURE AND JUNGIAN THIS CAR, IM GOING TO PUSH IT OFF A BRIDGE MYSELF, AND NEVER EVER BY A FORD AGAIN. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE ASSUMED FOR PUTTING OUT SUCH A BAD MODEL. HOW DARE U TRY AND MAKE A QUICK BUCK INSTEAD OF BUILDING A RELIABLE CAR FOR FAMILIES. *AK

Mileage: 30,000

1999 V6 CONTOUR SE. RH REAR SPRING MADE BY VISTEON BROKE FROM CORROSION @ 87K MILES. LH REAR SPRING COVERED WITH RUST VISTEON IS ALSO MAKER OF FRONT SPRINGS THAT HAD RECALL ON 95-97MY FRONT SPRINGS. POOR SPRING COATING DESIGN INCL. IRON PHOSPHATE. IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE AT 75K MILES. HAD TO BE REPLACED. TOP OF DASHBOARD WAS RECALLED WITH A KIT. KIT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM -- EXCESSIVE RATTLES STILL EXIST. I UNDERSTAND THAT WAS THE INTENT OF RECALL & FORD HAS NO ADDITIONAL KITS OR PLANS TO REPLACE FAULTY RECALL. KIT WAS REPLACED AROUND 60K MILES. FAULTY DPFE SENSOR ON THIS DURATEC ENGINE. DEALER TOLD ME REPLACEMENT SENSORS HAD A RE-DESIGN THAT DID NOT HAVE EXPOSED AREA THAT CONSTANTLY TRIGGERS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ORIGINAL SENSORS GET CONTAMINATION AND WILL TRIGGER THE CHECK LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY. FORD DID NOT RECALL AND ONLY REPLACED IF COMPLAINTS UNDER WARRANTY. I NOTICED PROBLEM AROUND 60000 MILES.*AK

1999 FORD CONTOUR, CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, CAR JERKING/STALLING, TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DELAERSHIP (KEY SCALES FORD, LESSBURG, FLORIDA), THEY KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, CHARGED OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $165 TO REPLECE SPARK PLUGS (SERVICE DECLINED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED BY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $50), "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STILL ON, CAR STILL JERKING/STALLING. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR OUT OF IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGESTED POSSIBLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM BUT SAID IT COULD NOT EVEN BE TESTED BECAUSE OF THE POSITION OF THE CONVERTER IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MANIFOLD AND IS INACCESSIBLE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPLIED TO EMAIL REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION.*AK

1999 FORD CONTOUR, CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, CAR JERKING/STALLING, TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DELAERSHIP (KEY SCALES FORD, LESSBURG, FLORIDA), THEY KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, CHARGED OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $165 TO REPLECE SPARK PLUGS (SERVICE DECLINED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED BY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $50), "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STILL ON, CAR STILL JERKING/STALLING. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR OUT OF IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGESTED POSSIBLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM BUT SAID IT COULD NOT EVEN BE TESTED BECAUSE OF THE POSITION OF THE CONVERTER IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MANIFOLD AND IS INACCESSIBLE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPLIED TO EMAIL REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION.*AK

VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER TRIED RESTARTED THE VEHICLE FIVE MINUTES LATER. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON GRAVEL ROAD VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 95,000

EXHAUST MANIFOLD RUSTED OUT. *AK

Mileage: 23,315

THE LOWER TENSIONER ON MY TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED AT 49,500 MILES, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS THIS NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL AT LEAST 90,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER TENSIONER CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER TENSIONER, WHICH NECESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH TENSIONERS AND THE TIMING BELT. I WAS CHARGED $455 FOR THESE REPLACEMENTS, WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING TO WORK AND NOT NOTICED THE NOISE THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND, THE CAR WOULD HAVE COME TO A DEAD STOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND MYSELF AND PROBABLY AT LEAST ANOTHER 3-4 OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *JB

Mileage: 49,500

VEHICLE WAS IDLING TOO HIGH. WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLED TOO HIGH IT ALSO SHUT OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED 2-3 TIMES. EACH DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE CAM SENSOR. CONSUMER HAD A NEW CAM SENSOR INSTALLED ON 04/19/2004, AND IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. *AK

TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY IS BROKEN AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES. IT HAS SHREDDED A BIT OF THE LOWER TIMING BELT COVER AND CAUSES A WHIRRING NOISE WHILE THE ENGINE IS ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WELL AND DRIVEN CAREFULLY.

Mileage: 60,000

FORD MOTOR CORP IS AWARE OF A DEFECTIVE VALVE IN IT'S FORD CONTOURS WITH 6 CYL 2.5L ENGINES THAT CAUSES AN OIL OUT AND OVER-PRESSURIZED CONDITION. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS AND MY MECHANIC CONTACTED A FORD SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING A SILENT RECALL, AND EACH CASE WILL BE HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD AND AFTER KEEPING IT FOR A WEEK THEY DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD NOT RECEIVED MY OIL CHANGE FROM THEM. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FORD AND SPENT SO MUCH MONEY FOR ALL PROBLEMS AND I HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED SERVICE RECORDS ON MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A COLLEGE SON THAT I PURCHASED THE SAME VEHICLE FOR AND AM AFRAID THAT HIS WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE HE IS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THIS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I THINK THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MANY CONSUMERS AND THAT FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND SERVICE THIS PROBLEM FOR IT'S LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND FOR THE SAFETY OF SO MANY INDIVIDUALS. *JB

Mileage: 38,500

SINCE I TOOK THE OWNERSHIP OF MY 99 FORD CONTOUR SVT, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I WANT TO KEEP THIS SHORT, SO I WILL BREIFLY TELL YOU OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED. FOG LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT, TWICE. CV AXIS BOOT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FLAWED MANUFACTURING. ABS SYSTEM FAILURE, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WENT OUT. ITS ON ITS 3RD FUEL PUMP. VERY TOUGH STARTS WHEN ITS COLD, STOCK ALARM MALUFUCTION, RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT, LEFT FRONT SPEAKER WENT OUT, DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE MALUFUCTION, THE DASH CAME UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD BACK ABOUT 6". HONESTLY THERE IS MORE, I AM TRYING TO PULL ALL THIS FROM MEMORY. TO CONCLUDE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER OWN A FORD AGAIN. EVER.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT SHUT DOWN TWICE. SHE WAS AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY IT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER/MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIX IT. *AK

ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON; AIR CONDITIONER WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH; WILL NOT WORK ON LOW; RELATIVE HAS SAME CAR 2000 MODEL - - HAVING SAME PROBLEM.

WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB

Mileage: 50,000

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB

REFUND DOWN PAYMENT AND KEEP THE CAR. MR

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND IS ALSO HAVING A STRONG SMELL OF BURN RUBBER. THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THE ENGINE BUT DOES NOT COVER THEIR VIN #.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS MATTER. NLM

ENGINE MOUNTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE BROKEN.*AK

CONSUMER HEARD A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, DEALER STATED ALL ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE.*AK

CONSUMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT ALL TIMES, IT HAS BEEN RESET SEVERAL TIMES. *SLC

WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,AND CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YD

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CAR CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, AND WILL NOT START BACK UP. DEALER CONTACTED, FIXED PROBLEM 3 TIMES, BUT DIDN'T INFORM CONSUMER OF WHAT PART. PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING.*AK

DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER CROSSED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER, CONSUMER HIT THE BRAKES, AND REAR OF VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND FLIPPED OVEDR 3 TIMES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT THE PCV WAS DEFECTIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATIONS, SHAKING, AND SEVERE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGH AND GOT MORE SEVERE WHEN THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM WAS USED. ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, A MAJOR BRAKE JOB WITH ROTORS TURNED WAS COMPLETED, AND THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED. REGARDLESS OF THIS WORK, THE SHAKING IN THE CAR HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE EITHER SAID THAT IT WAS "NORMAL CONTOUR" OR THAT IT WAS THE TIRES. FINALLY, THEY INDICATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IT IS. MY CAR MAKES A THUMPING NOISE AND A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I MAKE SLOW RIGHT TURNS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY FOOT HAS BEEN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT THAT THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME BECAUSE THE CAR JERKED SO HARD AND SO UNEXPECTEDLY. AGAIN, I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS THE WORST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. *AK

WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATIONS, SHAKING, AND SEVERE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGH AND GOT MORE SEVERE WHEN THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM WAS USED. ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, A MAJOR BRAKE JOB WITH ROTORS TURNED WAS COMPLETED, AND THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED. REGARDLESS OF THIS WORK, THE SHAKING IN THE CAR HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE EITHER SAID THAT IT WAS "NORMAL CONTOUR" OR THAT IT WAS THE TIRES. FINALLY, THEY INDICATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT IT IS. MY CAR MAKES A THUMPING NOISE AND A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I MAKE SLOW RIGHT TURNS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY FOOT HAS BEEN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MY CAR SURGED FORWARD. AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT THAT THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME BECAUSE THE CAR JERKED SO HARD AND SO UNEXPECTEDLY. AGAIN, I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS THE WORST CAR THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. *AK

MY CONTOUR CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. I WAS FIRST TOLD BY DEALER SERVICE THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, THEN THE FUEL FILTER, AND FINALLY THAT IT WAS A SENSOR. THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO STALL WHEN MY GAS GAUGE IS CLOSE TO A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. I JUST GOT THIS CAR OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPT. 4 DAYS AGO, NOW IT IS STILL STALLING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *AK

THERE WAS A BAD OIL LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS CRANKSHAFT SHIELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES SHE CONTACTED THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD AND WAS DENIED HER ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE. *JB

ENGINE WILL STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED/TEMPERATURE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND CANNOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY PROBLEMS. VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR A WHILE. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR STALLING, BUT CAUSE OF PROBLEM COULD NEVER BE LOCATED. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WOULD CRANK, BUT WILL NOT START. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

VEHICLE IS STALLING WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *SLC

VEHICLE IS STALLING WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *SLC

VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHILE MAKING TURNS AND HESITATES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR WILL FALL APART/ THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION IS A PROBLEM . *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P/215/S0R1 )

SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR WILL FALL APART/ THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION IS A PROBLEM . *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P/215/S0R1 )

REPEATED STALLING, MISSING & LOSS OF POWER APPEARS MOSTLY WHEN IT'S VERY HOT OUT & CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A LOT. ROUGH IDLE EVEN UNDER NO LOAD IN NEUTRAL. NO INDICATORS LIGHT EXCEPT DURING STALL WHICH HAPPENS EVEN WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED. MISSING IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING ACCELERATION OR STEADY HIGHWAY SPEEDS, EVEN WITH CRUISE ON. CAR SOMETIMES SHAKES AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH). MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS NEVER SHOW SAME RESULTS. DEALER CAN NEVER DUPLICATE, SAYS I AM DUMPING CLUTCH TO STALL & LOSS OF POWER IS DUE TO A/C. THEY ALSO CLAIM EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IS DUE TO MY DRIVING HABITS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WHEN CONSUMER STEERED TO THE LEFT VEHICLE PULLED MORE THAN INTENDED. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE & FOUND NOTHING WRONG.*AK THE STEERING PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY BAD FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT WAS FOUND. THE HEATER FAILED TOO. *YH

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY TIME VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING 70MPH, EXITED OFF THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN TO BRAKE WHEN ENGINE CUT OFF. ALSO, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN. ENGINE TURNED BACK ON, AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE CONTINUALLY STALLING AND EXPERIENCES ROUGH IDLE, NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. *MJS

THE VEHICLE STALLS OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. YH

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *MJS

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE EXPERIENCING STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCURRING. *AK

INTERMITTENT STALLING; THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER , AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK