No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Metairie, LA, USA

The consumer experiencing problems with sudden acceleration.

- Jackson, AL, USA

Speedometer needle fluctuated wildly, then it registered zero. Ten seconds later the car's driveablity went down due to the on-board computer receiving zero speed input: Limited accelleration, no cruise control, etc. End result: Both speed cable and speed control sensor broken; connection pin from transmission to sensor stuck or snapped --> will need to drop transmission and tear it open just to get at a $25 part!

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

Drove into a space, before turning off the ignition, put gear shift in park, car suddenly lunged forward, accelerated out of control, ran into a tree

- Crestview Hills, KY, USA

Design flaw in engine is causing a vibration in steering wheel, gear shift and down in brake pedal. It has become worse. Currently, vehicle jerks forward. Consumer states vehicle jerks and pulsates while braking.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

The engine RPM's do not drop fast enough to enable a smooth gear change. I complained about this problem when the car was new but they said nothing was wrong. Now it has 125000 on it and still does the same thing. The engine RPM's do not drop fast enough to enable a smooth gear change. If you try to change gears before the engine has slowed down the gears will grind. You have to hold the clutch in for 3 - 4 seconds before you are able to make a smooth gear change. If you are trying to accelerate up to highway speeds and have to wait so long in between shifts it is hard to accelerate smoothly and quickly which can get a person rear ended around here while attempting to enter the interstate. Also the heat that comes from under the hood is very hot, and has caused the paint on the hood to start cracking. The engine has never overheated, and has never been above the halfway point in the normal engine operating range (according to the guage). But the heat has caused the paint on the hood to crack. I also recieved a recall notice from Ford to have the wiring harness under the hood in the engine compartment replaced but when I called phil long Ford in Colorado springs I was told that out vehicle had to many miles on it and therfore did not qualify for the new wiring harness under the hood in the engine compartment. On the recall notice it states that the faulty wiring harness can cause a fire, and is due to the high heat present under the hood. Ford has still refused to replace it due to the high mileage.

- Woodland Park, CO, USA

Recall 97V225000 was performed 03/27/1998. The cabel failed and Ford did not have the part in stock. Projected date is June 2000. I suspect that the recall did not fix the original problem. Part #F5rz-9775-aa was replaced with recall and part number F5rz-9A758-a failed. With 38000 potential cars impacted a lot of lives could be at stake. The NHTSA database shows this problem has occurred after the recall was performed. Ford unwilling to be of any help and has no sympathy for cars that could be inoperable for 3 months. The fact that the parts are not in stock tells me that this may be a problem that is being pushed under the carpet. Ford may not have the parts because too many of these cables are breaking even after the recall. The recall was done two years ago. The excuse that we are in the middle of a recall on these cars does not explain why the parts are not available.

- Columbia, MD, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Stockton, CA, USA

When gas pedal is depressed, car does not move. The engines idle doesn't change. It fills like the throttle cable is binding. Will even happen at highway speeds. Contacted the dealer and was told to change the brand of gas after spending $70 in diagnostic testing. After doing some research found that manufactor posted recalls for cars with similar problems with same manufactor date. Contacted dealer and was told that my vehicle was not one of the cars involved. The car is dangerous to drive. What bothers me more than anything is there inability to find the problem. I guess someone has to get hurt before the real problem is found

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

My throttle cables were replaced in September of 1998 pursuant to a recall. In less than one year, the throttle cables completely severed. Because the mileage was beyond the 12000 miles Ford allows under warranty, I had to pay $225 to have my throttle cables replaced, again, and incurred $150 towing bill. The recall on my throttle cables was for the 1995-1996 Contour. This month, another recall of the 1997-98 Contour (NHTSA-99V194000) was issued for the same problem. Ford has never fixed the problem - their solution to the 1995-96 recall was to put another defective set of throttle cables on my car, which didn't even last a quarter of the miles that the first defective cables did! I do not know what the NHTSA's standard is for fixing a defect under a recall, but it doesn't make any sense that Ford is allowed to replace one defective part with a part that is even more defective - that is simply not a fix and that should simply not be permitted. Throughout my entire ownership of this car, Ford and its dealers have repeatedly displayed their complete apathy and lack of concern for their customers and the problems they experience with the products that they place into the market and that they make a substantial amount of money from. When I contacted Ford's customer service, I was essentially told that Ford could do nothing for me even after I explained that they had simply put another defective part on my car and placed my life in danger by doing so. The kind of disregard of ethics (that is, feeling perfectly justified in using one defective part to replace another required to be replaced by a recall) displayed by Ford and its dealers should not go unchecked. And, I do not even know if my new throttle cables are the same defective ones recalled on the 1997-98 Contour this month, or whether they are the "new fix" for those cars. I'm no expert, but it is pretty unusual for an automobile to even need throttle cables replaced once-let alone twice in one year. Thanks.

- Okemos, MI, USA

While stopping vehicle lurched forward and kept going forward until occupant placed vehicle in neutral position in order to stop vehicle. Replaced parts in vehicle. But problem is still occurring.

- Midlothian, TX, USA

Recall work on the throttle cables was not done due to lack of parts.

- North Bend, WA, USA

Accelerator cable frayed at fire wall allowing accelerator to suddenly stick at full throttle.

- West Bowdo, ME, USA

Cruise control is failing to operate, and whenever consumer makes a right turn the horn would blow out. Dealer notified.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

Cruise control failed to operate, and horn would blow whenever consumer makes a right turn. Dealer notified.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

Received recall notice (#97V225000), throttle linkages and control, and notified dealer. After arriving, mechanic informed owner there were no parts available for repairs. They would notify the owner when the parts would be available for repairs.

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

Received recall notice (#97V225000). Called dealer & set an appointment. Was later informed that parts were not available. Had ordered parts & will call when they come in. Has not heard anything so far.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Speed control sensor failed 3 times. Also transmission slipped improperly due to speed sensor failure. Inaddition, speedometer/odometer failed.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

Whenever starting up vehicle, engine would race at very low speed & then suddenly would accelerate at a high rate of speed. Had taken to a garage to check out, but nothing was found.

- Pottstown, PA, USA