2 major powertrain failures. Timing belt pulley broke at 68,000 miles. $600 to repair. Automatic transmission broke at 85,000 miles. Both occurred out of the blue. Car has always been treated gently, all fluids have been changed consistently, and all routine maintenance has been completed on time. Transmission must be replaced or rebuilt with a price tag of $2K-$3K.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

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

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

While driving the vehicle on the highway, it lost power and would not respond to the gas pedal. I had to steer it to the shoulder and after a while it responded long enough for me to take it to a service station where it was diagnosed to have a defective fuel pump and flywheel.

- Asheville, NC, USA

The consumer could hear the radiator coming on/over and over again. Previously it overheated in June 2004. When the consumer took vehicle to dealer for repairs they changed the thermostat, added more water to the radiator, and something else in the transmission area. When the consumer picked up the vehicle the problem recurred. Afterwards, there was a rattling noise coming from the dashboard. They told her that it was due to a bracket that broke.. dealer replaced the radio. The consumer stated that the air conditioner was no longer working properly since they replaced the radio. Also, the dashboard was loosening and there were wires showing. The front driver's side window knob came off. These were the only known problems with the vehicle at this time. There had been no accidents concerning these issues.

- Vista, CA, USA

Consumer was able to rotate the ignition key to the lock position and remove it without the shift lever and transmission being in park.

- Chamblee, GA, 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

While shifting vehicle from park into reverse vehicle will shift itself into neutral, and not allow consumer to move. When coming to a sudden stop, the vehicle shifts itself into neutral. The vehicle vibrates when going at speeds between 50 and 65 miles per hour. A leak was found in the transmission that caused damage after driving around with low fluid.

- Westfield, IN, USA

Transmission shifts from drive to neutral and into any gear while driving at any speed. Vehicle has not been inspected by dealer.

- Bridgewater, MA, USA

While traveling on highway transmission locked up. Then had it repaired, but later found out that it was not completely repaired. Also, after about 2 weeks found out that it was a technical error that caused transmission to leak fluid.

- Talahassee, FL, USA

Vehicle is making clunking noise that was coming from underneath hood. Back lights were not working. O dealership was aware of problem.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

In addition to the other defects I have listed on the questionaire, my vehicle occasionally does not go into forward gear, and then violently jerks into gear.

- Aurora, IL, USA

Problems started at 119miles, dealers either don't confirm problem or say it's normal for this car. Multiple repair attempts at 4 dealers. Severe vibration and pull at highway speeds are the tires (confired with my winter tires-no problem), klunking from front end when going over bumps, all dash warning lights come on during winter at idle-go out after restart or engine acceleration, front seats wobble side to side-dealer says normal for car-wan't present when new, pulsing front end shimmy on highway-not tire related-possible cv shaft issue-dealers stated npf, engine spark knocks under light loads-no change with different gas grades or brands-dealers says npf, headlamps go dim at idle-dealers says normal-not present when new, poor low beam visibility from headlamps, aluminum wheels are too porous-lose abnormal air amounts-dealer says npf. Most of these have been since new or started within 1st year of new- no dealers has yet "confirmed" problems when they are readily apparent to others. In shop for over 3 months total since new. (tiresize: P205/60R15)( dot number: Tire size: P205/60R15 )

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA