I have a 1999 Ford Contour I bought it and 6 months later the timing belt went out this cost me $800 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.

- Palestine, OH, USA

Vibration when brakes applied. This problem started before I even pulled off the lot when I bought it used. The dealership had supposedly fixed it. Now, this was the second time that I needed to replace the rotors and brake pads. The first time I bought a set of tires, then got an alignment. Was told I needed different tires since the vibration did not stop. Bought more tires, and was told that it had nothing to do with the alignment. Today, my car would not accelerate. The check engine light came on, and I immediately took it to a repair shop. It's going to cost $120 just to have diagnostics done. I also heard strange noises from the back of the car every time I brake. I'm shopping for a new car tomorrow. I have yet to meet someone who can tell me exactly what was wrong with my car and fix it!

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

The transmission on my Ford Contour went out after just 70,000 miles. Of course it was after the warranty had ended. I did some research and found that other Contour were experiencing the same problem. Ford did not recall and I paid 3000 dollars for Ford to replace it. Along with the starter. Also the battery for the car is an international battery which is for BMW's and "international" vehicles. Ford is american yet made a car that needed an international battery. So a year and a half after the transmission was replaced sears has informed me that the transmission is leaking fluid and recommends I not drive the vehicle any more. While that happened the alternator went out on it. This car is junk and Ford knows it!! yet they have done nothing about it!!!

- Toano, VA, USA

My car sporadic stalled in traffic because the new fuel pump would shut off. The cause was faulty wiring that shorted out and in turn destroyed the cars computer. No parts are available so dealer was using parts from different make/model parts for repairs. I was told that this is a recurring problem.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

My dash began to buckle to the point where the defrost vent would not stay in place. The dash face on the left side of the steering wheel is falling off. The floor on both sides in the front seat gets soaked every time I drive through puddles or rain. The dome lights would not go off. The door buzzer has tendencies to come on while you are driving even though all 4 doors are shut tight. The fuel pump went out and when the mechanic was going to replace it, he brought to my attention that all wires connecting to the pump had burned the wiring insulation. The fuel pump happens to be located in the fuel tank. There were bare wires in the fuel tank! (I do still have the fuel pump)the trunk latch located inside the drivers side front seat has not worked since 1 month after purchasing the vehicle. All of these things have happened since I purchased the vehicle in 2001 and I cannot seem to get Ford to own up to any of them. The recall on the dash apparently is not important enough for them to assist me. I cannot get through to someone who will help me solve these problems at any of the dealers in my area. I am currently still paying for a vehicle I am afraid to drive and no longer care to be associated with. Needless to say the car is sitting in the driveway and I will probably never drive it again.

- Sahuarita, AZ, USA

The tail lights became inoperable after four replacements. Also, the windshield wipers did not work in low gear, and the running lights malfunctioned. The electrical connector splice from the headlight switch opened. (the right side tail light was inoperative) the tail lights, front running lamps were out again, a fuse was bad and found some more wires in the trunk wired incorrectly, the dashboard lights and the license plate tail lights worked intermittently, there was a wiring short in the harness in the cowl area, there was a blown fuse in the exterior lighting, on another occasion, the #33 fuse was found open, the sunroof was inoperative due to a shorted motor, bad drive gear and two cables.

- Fitchburg, MA, USA

The dash on my 1999 Ford Contour gl began peeling away more than two years ago. Despite receiving a recall letter from Ford about the problem, I was unable to have it replaced/repaired. About the same time, I started having problems with the radio cutting out. I could push in a cassette then remove it to get the radio to come back on, but nothing else would work. Just yesterday I drove my car with no problem...until I turned off the ignition. When I attempted to restart the car, I was unable to do so. When I turn the key to the first stop, the accessory position, the radio, lights, etc., all work fine. When I turn the key further, to start the car or to the second stop to power other devices (ac, power windows, etc), it behaves as if the battery is dead. The buzzer (door open, keys in ignition) is very faint, radio doesn't work, windshield wipers move one very slow pass (even though they are turned off), can't get the car out of "park". I had the car towed home, but can't afford to have it checked out. Will call the dealership, but am not hopeful of getting the car fixed.

- Columbus, IN, USA

A new battery was installed. It was discovered that there was a constant strain of 32 amps being discharged, causing the battery to drain, and not being charged. The key could be turned off with the ignition in the lock position and the transmission in park. When the drivers side door was opened, the buzzer that reminds the consumer that the key was still in the ignition had gone off even when the key was not in the ignition.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Dashboard is curling up from the windshield. Since this has started the vent for the defogging systems has popped completely out, the warning bell for the lights left on and key in ignition have stopped working and the radio cuts in and out. I took it to my auto repair shop who contacted my extended warranty company (who supposedly cover me bumper to bumper according to the dealer I bought the car from) who state if it is not safety related they don't cover it. I then went to a local dealership with the problem as the car is a 1999 with barely 40,000 miles and expressed my concern about the things that have stopped working as well as the fact that as the dash rolls back it will deploy the passenger side air bag. The dealer stated it was not their problem even though they stated that the earlier models had the same problem which apparently was never fixed and gave me Ford customer service. I then contacted Ford who after 5 days informed me that they felt it was not their problem, that I should take it to my local dealer and pay approximately $1800 to $2000 for a new dash to be installed but that I should save my paperwork after the repairs are done in case of any further trouble. Since the dash is in perfect condition aside from the curling, no cracks, discoloration or drying out I don't feel I should pay to have this problem resolved. If you can assist please let me know.

- Oak View, CA, USA

The electrical system was replaced.

- Shabbona, IL, USA

Vehicle experiences continued electrical power failures causing vehicle to loose all electrical power while driving in excess of 50 mph, unable to rectify failures.

- Alexandria, VA, USA