This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving headlights/ tail lights, and dash lights completely stopped working, there was no warning. Took vehicle to dealer. Also, vehicle has had three alternators within three months. Problem has not been remedied as of yet.
Problems with the engine light coming on and the servicing dept at the Ford dealer and other auto servicing center could not figure out why to this day it is on. At one time the entire interior lights and rear brakes lights went out. It currently shut its self off ( stalls) and get hot. The engine sounds revved up and shortly after the ac unit went out.everything has been checked out/ the alternator was replaced the crankshaft was replaced some wiring had to be replaced all the fluids are where they should be and it still stalls and overheats for no reason. Both front windows electrical motors have gone out.
Would be driving when all lights in vehicle would go out, and then vehicle would stall. Alternator failed to charge battery. Took to dealership, had battery replaced for 4th time in 3 years.
The battery light comes on, it will dim down while the consumer is driving and then the engine will quit, the dealer replaced a faulty cable from the alternator to the junction block, could possibly be an engine problem instead of electrical because now the engine light stays illuminated.
Since purchase of vehicle when driving through a puddle of water or in rain, power steering will go out. At that time alernator light comes on, has been to dealer numerous times for this, seems to be a design flaw. Also, filling up with gasoline vehicle will smell for long time.
Right rear light continued to go out. Replace bulb few times. Right wheel bearing had to be replaced. Major fan belt replaced. Alternator replaced. Light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. This happened after they fixed my recall for lights. Gas cap cover is very hard to open. Takes several times to try and open. When air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. Owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. These are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. Also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. I have sent a letter to the president of Ford and explained how I felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. I never received a response from anyone. They should be made to take back all Contour and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. I am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. They need to provide a loan and new car for us. I will be contacting Ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. As I told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. I appreciate that you have this web site that I can voice my concerns, problems with the Ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. I will help you in any way I can to clear up all of these problems. I keep the letter I sent Ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know I did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie jennings hewitt
My car was in the shop 5 times in one month - all electrical problems. Alternator, battery, starter, wiring harness, speed sensor and oxygen sensor were all changed. The Ford dealership does not understand why I am having all these problems. It was also in a garage fire at the dealership in this time and I had smoke damage to my car on top of the engine problems. Needless to say, I loss money on the trade in. This is the worse car I have ever owned and will never own another Ford car or truck again.
About 2-3 months after I had my car I tried to trade it in for another car because of the deffects on it, but the dealer would not help me out then. Is there anything I can do about it now? no safety defect listed in the summary.
I have had multiple problems w/ my 96 Ford Contour since I bought it 2/23/96. I have had it in for service multiple times, and I get told it's covered under warranty why worry about it. The srv.mngr.at my dealer supposedly talked to a "tony" at Ford & told him to tell me as long as it's covered under warranty I shouldn't complain it is no money out of my pocket. That is unsatisfactory -I believe my car to be a defect in that years line of Contour & I would like something done about these problems. My car runs worse than any used car I have ever owned! all I ever wanted done was to rectify the situation, they could have easily replaced my car with one similiar to that year & model & I would have been happy. I really would like a response to this matter. I am to the point where I will contact a lawyer to seek help dealing with Ford & kennedy Ford, if I can not get a fair & aggreeable outcome to this situation. Thank you.
Consumer was driving approximately 55mph, noticed smells of burning rubber, and experienced power failure at the same time, city garage #10 said the wiring harness for the alternator was bad, causing a short repaired the wiring and replaced the alternator with a rebuilt one, a serpentine belt was also replaced.
In June 1998 replaced brake pads, and had rotors turned because they were warped. Had to replace brake pads again, including rotors in February 1999. Two months later rotors again warped. In July 1998 had to replace alternator. In April 1999 dash lights and tail lights quit working - had headlight switch replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kensington, MD, USA