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.
Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. Car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. Headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). Air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. Dealer comment on stalling: "probably something stupid" and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. Dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. Question: If they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? headlights still out of alignment after having been "adjusted" by dealer in January 2005.
The front head lamps to my Contour have clouded over (on the inside) and do not allow the lamps to put out much light. This is a pretty bad safety hazard in the evening. It has been getting worse over the past year or two - to where I need to replace them. The dealer noted that this was a common problem caused by a head lamp seal failure, but it was not a warranty or recall issue. Cost is $250 for parts plus labor. If this is a known safety issue for Ford service staff, why is it ignored by Ford? your database shows other complaints of this issue.
- Tustin, CA, USA
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Both headlight lenses are dirty due to headlight assembly seal failure. Night time illumination unsafe. This complaint is consistent with other NHTSA consumer complaints, ODI id 864545, 734106, 531407 and 532479. Dealer states the problem is not covered by extended warrenty purchased along with vehicle.
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
The plastic lens in the headlight assembly degraded to the point that light coming from the headlight was hardly distinguishable from the light coming from the amber parking lights. Vehicles behind my car, while driving would cast a shadow in front of my car. I replaced the light bulbs on the front of my car to no avail. The problem remained the same. I just recently purchased new headlight housings and installed them to replace this serious problem. Ford used a very inexpensive or untested plastic which failed/degraded quickly.
Light on the dash and tailight will go out intermittently due to headlight switch. NHTSA recall 99V103000/ manufacturer's recall 99S14 repairs were performed in November 1999, but defect has reoccurred. Dealer or manufacturer have refused to fix it again.
Headlights were fogged up which affected visibility. Consumer tried to wipe off the lenses. But they were stained with some type of milky substance. Dealer stated that consumer had to replace headlights at her own expense.
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 99V103/manufacturer's recalls 99M07, 99M03 and 99S14 concerning headlight failure. Dealer refused to correct recall problem dealer has been contacted on a number of occasions.
When the headlights are turned on, the interior dash lights do not come on, making it impossible to see the instrument panel at night. Dealer has not seen vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wilmington, DE, USA