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. The consumer stated passenger side caliper was warped and the rotor was damaged. Updated 06/25/08

- Hamilton, OH, USA

I am the owner of a 1998 Ford Contour. I bought it used, and within a 1 year remainder of a 3 year warranty. I was never officially notified of several defects and NHTSA recalls that are still in effect for this car model year. One of the repairs for the blower resistor was performed twice, however it was never done to my satisfaction and it did not meet the standards of quality as expected for the recall. There are several safety issues with this car, and I am now afraid to keep driving it after what I have read. The Ford Motor Company is very negligent in following up with consumers on these issues, and they keep an outdated database of former owners which they fail to update with the current owners in cases where the car ownership has changed hands. I am kind of close to hiring a lawyer to sue them over these recall issues. What should I do" are they still obligated to fix the recall issues at their expense" I am certainly not about to put one dime of my own money into that car to fix issues covered by recalls. Again, I do not wish to fight or Wrangler with a company that is so awful who puts out a terrible and cheap product like the Ford Contour, then won't stand behind their car. However, if there are formal responsibilities which they are legally bound to, I will reserve my right to pursue this under the fullest extent of the law. Please advise. Sincerely, Mr. Mcdonough

- Richmond, VA, USA

Cosco model # 02-531bnp, the grandmother noticed that while removing the child seat the owner has to keep pushing the button to release the fasteners. The owner was concerned that it took a couple of minutes to release the child out of car seat in case of an accident. The owner will contact cosco.

- Sorento, FL, USA

Air conditioner and heater do not work. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for service, and it was determined that blower motor malfunctioned.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

There were no traumatic events such as crashes or injuries. My complaint is about an equipment failure due to a defect of which Ford was aware. The front coil springs of my 1998 Ford Contour broke early in July 2004. The car had 164000 miles on it. Although they did not issue a recall, Ford did issue an extended warranty on the front coil springs for 10 years, 150,000 miles. (this is documented in NHTSA campaign id number : 01I013000) this was issued on August 3, 2001. That is also the date for a recall for the installation of spring catcher brackets in case the springs broke. (NHTSA campaign id number : 01V255000) I had my vehicle in for the recall on 3/29/2002. I called the toll-free number provided by Ford about this problem (1-866-436-7332) and also heard on a recorded message at that number that another make of Ford car (Taurus) is currently under a repair program for the same problem: Corosion of the front coil springs. This recall program is for 1999-2001 taurs and Sable started, according to the recording, in the first week of August 2004. This Taurus-Sable program offers free replacement of the coil spring for Taurus and Sable models for 10 years/150,000 miles or until July 31, 2005 if the vehicle is over the mileage requirement in the extended warranty. Also during the recording at the toll free phone number, there is notification of a safety spring shield recall that will go into effect December 2004. I believe it is basically the same safety recall program offered for the same problem on my Ford Contour in 2001. It is my contention that the reason the Taurus/Sable was given a free repair offer until July 31 2005 regardless of mileage is because the Taurus is one of Ford's banner models. I believe that the offer of free repairs until July 31, 2005 was not made for the Contour because the Contour is a model that was discontinued some time ago. There are relatively few Contour compared to the Ford Taurus and Sable, which Ford still sells.

- Allentown, PA, USA

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.

- Hooper, UT, USA