Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||||||||||||
| 01V230000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 06/01/1996 to 05/31/1998 | V (Vehicle) | 342962 | 08/29/2001 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 07/09/2001 | 07/13/2001 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. the damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. owner notification began august 29, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Ford recall no.01s22.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 03181 | 09/15/2003 | 10004027 | Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt | 11/14/2003 | |
| 16880 | 06/01/2003 | 10002598 | Inoperative shift interlock solenoid or repeat instrument interface module failure. *tt | 09/08/2003 | |
| 00141 | 07/10/2000 | 618528 | Some vehicles may experience a no start condition and / or the 10 amp gfi injector fuse may open. *jb | 04/16/2001 | |
| 00239 | 11/13/2000 | 616520 | A condition may exist with possible electronc damage occuring to the compuvalve from voltage spikes between the compuvalve connections when connecting or disconnecting the main compuvalve harness c4025. *tt | 03/01/2001 | |
| 98246 | 12/07/1998 | 604059 | Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc | 03/16/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||||
| 980309 | 01/01/1998 | 607712 | Stall on cold start when cold. *ak | 02/06/2001 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||||
| 9726 | 01/20/1997 | 51385 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - gaseous fuel prep (gfp) vehicles - powertrain control module (pcm) reprogramming required - vehicles with 2.0l or 4.9l engine. *tw | 06/27/1997 | |
| BC0301961101 | 11/01/1996 | 50709 | Intermittent stalling during high ambient temperatures and parking lot maneuvers. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| 962510 | 12/02/1996 | 50967 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) - diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307 and/or p0308 stored in memory. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| 962511 | 12/02/1996 | 50968 | Powertrain control module -reprogram powertrain control module (pcm) - service procedures - service tip. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| 96265 | 12/16/1996 | 50991 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) - diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, and/or p0308 stored in memory. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 6906 | 09/01/1999 | 6090218 | Exhibiting a starter grinding noise and / or lack of starter drive engagement. *tt | 03/10/2000 | |
| 9913137 | 08/01/1999 | 609049 | Concerns with 2.5l engine equipped vehicles and cd4e transaxle exhibiting a starter grinding noise and / or lack of starter drive engagement. *tt | 12/07/1999 | |
| 97111097234 | 11/10/1997 | 53660 | Vehicles exhibiting a squeaking or chirping from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| 99222 | 10/18/1999 | 6089681 | Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt | 02/11/2000 | |
| 96246 | 11/18/1996 | 50905 | Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||||
| 9903 | 10/01/1999 | 10020445 | Under hood wire harness. additional 10 years or 100,000 miles. ford. *kb | 10/05/2006 | |
| BC0785961014 | 10/14/1996 | 50411 | Diagnosing charging or starting system concerns of potential chafe between circuit 30 & the subframe in the area between the alternator & the mega-fuse. *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||||
| 985089 | 11/01/1998 | 613217 | Some vehicles built prior to 6/16/98 may have a broken / detached instrument panel cluster bezel gaphider. *tt | 06/19/2000 | |
| 7864 | 01/01/2000 | 7864 | 612224 | World wide diagnostics service tip. | 06/07/2000 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ||||||
| EA01001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 01/05/2001 | 07/31/2001 | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS | 01V230000 | |
| A | ||||||
| EA01001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 01/05/2001 | 07/31/2001 | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS | 01I009000 | |
| A | ||||||
| PE00023 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 06/14/2000 | 01/05/2001 | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS | ||
| Allege that the blower switch/resistor overheats and starts or could start a fire. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 10/17/2012 | 148000 | 1 | |
| My car had been having many issues .fixing what we thought were the problem we found that the electrical connected to the cooling fan was melted as well as many problems in wire harnesses in front of engine.. it is very apparent the wiring is defective and caused melting n burn wires throughout the wiring system. i have had 4 mechanics look at it and was told by all that this make n model is very well known for this electrical issue. *tr | |||
| 10/17/2012 | 148000 | ||
| My car had been having many issues .fixing what we thought were the problem we found that the electrical connected to the cooling fan was melted as well as many problems in wire harnesses in front of engine.. it is very apparent the wiring is defective and caused melting n burn wires throughout the wiring system. i have had 4 mechanics look at it and was told by all that this make n model is very well known for this electrical issue. | |||
| 08/27/2010 | 62922 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. while parked the contact smelled smoke and noticed flames near the back of the radio and by the center column that divides the front and rear drivers side doors. the contact put out the flames herself. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 01v230000 (electrical system) that may be related to the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vin was not included in the recall. the contact stated the failure affected the exterior lighting and interior lighting of the vehicle. the the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 62,922. ds | |||
| 03/05/2011 | 130000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. while operating the vehicle in reverse, the contact noticed that the vehicle lost power without warning. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who performed a diagnostic test which concluded that the wiring harness was corroded and cracked. the mechanic confirmed that the vehicle needed to be repaired. the vehicle was included in recall number: 01v230000 (electrical system); however, since the recall had expired the dealer was not willing to offer any assistance. they advised the contact to locate a wiring harness at a junk yard for installation. the contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle repaired due to the cost. the failure mileage was approximately 130,000. | |||
| 08/22/1996 | 1 | ||
| I have a ford contour (1996 sport w/2.5 v6..nearly all of the wiring under the hood either has broken or no insulation on it. some times the temperature light comes on...today the electric cooling fan smoked then blew a fuse. i've never seen wiring like this. i expect better from ford than this..this car just turned over to 72000 miles....this car is a total fire hazard.....i've owned ford cars and trucks all my life but if nothing can be done about this car it will be the last ford i buy..this wiring should be against the law. i wonder if the safety team knows about this. *tr | |||
| 01/22/2008 | 130000 | 1 | |
| Blower motor failure. the blower controls the defroster and heater. the failure results in fog, frost etc so visibility is greatly limited. if one can see well an accident is possible. *tr | |||
| 02/24/2009 | 109688 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. while driving 55 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor and noticed smoke emanating from the instrument panel. after close inspection, he noticed that the blower switch and all associated wiring were melted. the dealer would not assume responsibility because the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 01v230000 (electrical system). the manufacturer would not assist and the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 109,688. 4/01/09 *nj ford stated the vehicle was diagnosed before it left the factory and they refused to reimburse the consumer. updated 04/07/09. *jb | |||
| 01/27/2008 | 103000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. the contact stated that the wiring harness was malfunctioning, which causes the check engine indicator to illuminate on the instrument panel, engine failure, and electrical fires under the hood. he has been repairing the failure himself, but the wiring harness continues to malfunction. the dealer stated that there were no recalls related to the failure and the repair would cost $1,500. the manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle. the failure mileage was 103,000. | |||
| 07/07/2008 | 186000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. as he started his vehicle, the tail lights or the dashboard did not light up. his mechanic gave him a copy of nhtsa campaign# 01v230000. the dealer and the manufacturer stated that his vehicle was not a part of the recall. the related nhtsa action# is ea01001. the failure mileage was 186,000. | |||
| 10/07/2007 | 101000 | 1 | 02/01/1987 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. after being parked for four hours, the vehicle caught fire without warning. the fire originated on the front driver side. the vehicle was not towed or inspected by a dealer. the fire extinguished on its own. the current and failure mileages were 101,000. | |||
| 01/02/2007 | 10 | 01/01/2007 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. the contact stated that the vehicle has encountered blown fuses and a destroyed alternator. the electrical system also destroyed the battery. the dealer stated that the wiring harness deteriorated, and informed the contact of recall # 01v230000. *ak | |||
| 12/20/2006 | 82650 | 1 | 10/27/2006 |
| Tl* - the contact took his 1997 ford contour to the dealership on 12/20/06 because the vehicle had lost complete power. the dealer stated that the vehicle needed to get the wiring harness replaced. the dealership called the manufacturer to see if the vehicle would be covered under the recall nhtsa campaign id number : 01v230000 and they stated that it wouldn't be covered under recall due to the vehicle being more than 10 years old. the contact can provide copies of repair invoices if needed. *jb updated 2/16/2007 - *nm | |||
| 10/09/1999 | 2 | 07/21/1999 | |
| Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 ford contour.*mr there has been so many recalls on consumer's vehicle that she wasn't aware of because the manufacturer never sent notices. since then consumer has been paying for entire full price and is asking for reimbursement. however, the biggest problem with the vehicle is the gas fumes which is leaking therefore leaving poisonous carbon monoxide fumes coming in through the heater vents. these harsh chemicals are damaging to the lungs, brain, respiratory system and its making consumer very tired among other symptoms. *tt | |||
| 09/09/2004 | 60000 | 5 | |
| Electrical system was defective. consumer took vehicle to dealer on several occasions. however, the electrical system was such that the lights went out and flickered. vehicle locked in to park. consumer applied a 20 amp fuse to get it out of gear. the dealer was unable to solve the problem. *ak | |||
| 01/28/2004 | 56098 | 100 | 05/01/2000 |
| Car stalls out when idle.car stalls out when starting or driving slowly. car has had many sensors replaced including the oxygen sensor and it continues to stall out. ford has not satisfactorilly repaired car after several costly visits.*ak | |||
| 02/10/2004 | 1 | 1 | 09/07/2002 |
| This is a complaint on a 1996 ford contour. within 15-20 after my daughter drove to work on the interstate, the car burst into flames. she had already gotten inside her job. it occurred about 8:25.*ak | |||
| 1 | 07/21/1999 | ||
| Problems with 1996 ford contour front brakes, transmission, fuse box, heater blower motor, electrical and steering and suspension. *mr for the second time, the vehicle had problems with the brakes making a loud rubbing sound, the stabilizer bar was replaced and needs to be replaced again. the transmission was leaking, water was inside of the headlight seals, which made the lights very dim, the selector mode switch on the heater motor blower did not work properly, which made the heat not work at a 100%. the upper ball joints, rack and pinion and wheel bearing were all defective. *jb *nm | |||
| 05/26/2003 | 1 | ||
| The wiring harness of my 1996 ford contour caught fire. i had prior problems with the vehicle in the past such as tail light going out constantly and also headlights, as well as problems with the o2 sensor. i have put more that$2000 dollars alone on this car just getting it repaired. *jb | |||
| 06/03/2003 | 1 | ||
| Nhtsa#99-v-103-000: vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating. this recall failed.*ak | |||
| 03/02/2003 | 1 | 04/11/2003 | |
| While normally driving at 35 mile's per hour, the car suddenly stalled. 10 minutes later started normally. just in case i took the car to mechanic because 20 minutes later i started to noticed an odor, like burned plastic. this morning the mechanic called me and asked me to stop by the shop, he showed me the fuse box and the electrical cables (harness) that are connected to the box, 75% or more are without insulation (cracked or the insulation is gone). according to him i was just lucky, ford do not offer a complete electrical harness as a part, and the only solution is to search for one in a junk yard, besides is a costly electrical job replacing the wires. i am going to contact ford because as a consumer i think that there is a defect with the mentioned vehicle.*jb | |||
| 04/17/2003 | |||
| The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of recall 01-v-230-0000. recall deescription: passenger vehicles. the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. *nlm | |||
| Engine check light and battery light illuminates.took vehicle to dealer, and had electrical problem; repaired but problem still exists.*ak | |||
| Loss of electrical power while driving. 3 dealers have inspected, but could not duplicate defect or cause. *ak | |||
| 02/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving with headlights on tail lights and dashboard lights went out without a prior warning. dealer had been contacted, and cause could not be found. *ak | |||
| 12/14/2000 | |||
| Whenever starting vehicle or even driving electrical system would start acting up. windshield wipers would go on by themselves, have not been turned on. lights, interior & exterior, would go out. ignition will not start vehicle sometimes.also, would hear a clicking noise. did not have a battery problems. heater blower failed to work. no recalls on vehicle for electrical problems. *ak | |||
| 07/27/2000 | 0 | ||
| Smoke was coming from hazard switch, and consumer could hear noise at same time. there was no signal of warning on this problem. *ak | |||
| The consumer stated that dealership had car over twenty two days, and vehicle still has electrical problems. *ak | |||
| 2 | 03/01/1996 | ||
| Dashboard has had several electrical shorts. | |||
| 1 | 06/01/1997 | ||
| Vehicle was experiencing electrical problem which caused the cigarette lighter to malfunction, radio and clock went blank and driver side front window will not roll down. nlm | |||
| 08/17/1999 | |||
| On-going / intermittent problem with vehicle shutting off due to loss of electrical powe; whenever vehicle ran over a water puddle it caused loss of power, which shut down everything. this condition could cause an accident. dealer notifed and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer. seeking help or provoide additional information from nhtsa in this matter. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 06/10/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2098 | |
| This car is a lemon - it is not safe. *ak | |||
| 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. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1999 | |||
| 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. | |||
| 08/06/1999 | 4 | ||
| 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.*ak | |||
| 06/01/1998 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| Alternator does not charge properly therefore having to be replaced often. *ak | |||
| 07/14/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1999 | |
| 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. *slc | |||
| 10/01/1996 | |||
| 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. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 6 | 04/01/1997 | |
| 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 contours 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 | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| There are too many problems with our car to write down. please contact us. | |||
| 10/15/1997 | 2 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 2 | 02/01/1996 | |
| 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 contours & 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. | |||
| 05/05/1999 | |||
| 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. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1998 | |||
| 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. | |||
| 11/22/1996 | 1 | 03/26/1996 | |
| Alternator failed. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| Engine check light and battery light illuminates.took vehicle to dealer, and had electrical problem; repaired but problem still exists.*ak | |||
| 08/10/2001 | |||
| Vehicle had no power causing consumer to purchase a new battery. vehicle wouldn't work with new battery because consumer noticed wires were not attached. dealer stated ford has a program which is 10 year or 100,000 miles, but can only be fixed if a problem occurs. consumers is responsible for the cost of repairs.*ak | |||
| 08/06/1999 | 4 | ||
| 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.*ak | |||
| 09/28/2000 | 15 | 04/01/2000 | |
| Whenever i turn on the heater, a/c, defrost, or fan my abs light turns on and my brakes are spongy. i have lost all brakes on two occasions when the abs light came on. when my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. installed a new battery, still dies. ford cannot find a cause for either problem. i have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. also, my a/c fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced. *ak | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| There are too many problems with our car to write down. please contact us. | |||
| 10 | 11/01/1996 | ||
| Occasionally, when the vehicle rolls through a puddle, the steering will fail and the battery light will appear, with the engine almost stalling. this has happened with the car going as fast as 35 mph and as slow as 5 mph. the problem has been reported to the dealer on several occasions, and the dealer has reportedly contacted the manufacturer regarding this particular problem. additionally, the first time the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to report the problem, the service personnel was aware that the problem existed with the specific model. after repeated returns to the dealer (at least three separate complaints), the dealer informed us that the problem was fixed and that the car was even driven through several puddles without any steering failure. the last time the vehicle was taken in was approximately august, 1999. the warranty has since expired, and the dealer says that it is our responsibility to pay to have the problem fixed. unfortunately, we have taken the car back several times, and the problem still exists. on 02/13/00, the vehicle again experienced steering failure. | |||
| 12/06/1999 | |||
| Battery not able to hold the current. also, headlights and interior lights are not working. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1999 | 1 | 10/01/1996 | |
| Have had numerous problems: interior/brake lights failed to light. replaced switch twice. fuel filler door will not open with latch inside. never worked. cigarette lighter failed. power window on driver's side has failed. car intermittently will not start due to drained battery. mechanic could find no cause for this related to alternator/charging system of car. never able to fix this. trunk leaks water around seal. abs light keeps coming on . mechanic could find no problem with abs. air conditioner/heater would only blow out defrost setting. also bad smell comes from ac when on. rear seat belts keep jamming; not able to use sometimes because they won't come out. worst problem so far: transmission has failed. not yet fixed. i loved this car once, now i hate it! the whole thing should be recalled. *ak | |||
| 04/19/1999 | |||
| The fuse keeps blowing out. this causes the air conditioner not work. took to dealer. vehicle failed to start & needed a jump. informed battery was needed. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1998 | ||
| When making sharp turns in either direction, horn will sound on its own. consumer has disconnected fuse.*ak jlg | |||
| 06/18/1999 | |||
| Vehicle was taken in for recall # 99 v 103 000 for the head lights. headlights and wiring harness were replaced. a month later , headlights and tail lights and all dash lights went out. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 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. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 08/01/1996 | |||
| The car has less than 5,000 miles . the cigarette lighter/accessory outlet developed a short with fuse blowout . the interior lever to the left of the driver's seat does not function to open the outside lid covering the gas cap . the car is in almost new condition with less than 5,000 miles since 1996 . car is also in for mandatory recall servicing due to notice from ford .have there been other complaints about shorting in the cigarette lighter/accessory outlet system ? have there been other complaints about the interior gas cap lid lever not functioning ? i am being charged for the repair of these items . i wonder whether there was a basic design deficiency that led to such malfunctioning after less than 5,000 miles .*ak | |||
| Recall 99v103000. remedy did not correct problem. while vehicle was being driven instrument panel and tail lights completely went out. please give any further details. *ak | |||
| 02/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| While driving with headlights on tail lights and dashboard lights went out without a prior warning. dealer had been contacted, and cause could not be found. *ak | |||
| 12/14/2000 | |||
| Whenever starting vehicle or even driving electrical system would start acting up. windshield wipers would go on by themselves, have not been turned on. lights, interior & exterior, would go out. ignition will not start vehicle sometimes.also, would hear a clicking noise. did not have a battery problems. heater blower failed to work. no recalls on vehicle for electrical problems. *ak | |||
| 09/28/2000 | 15 | 04/01/2000 | |
| Whenever i turn on the heater, a/c, defrost, or fan my abs light turns on and my brakes are spongy. i have lost all brakes on two occasions when the abs light came on. when my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. installed a new battery, still dies. ford cannot find a cause for either problem. i have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. also, my a/c fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1998 | |||
| I have previously had problems with this vehicle and have taken it more than eight different times to be service and problem still has not been resolved even after having engine replaced i am having some of the same problems. car has been serviced on a regular basis and still it has problems.e . . | |||
| 05/25/2000 | |||
| While driving tail lights and instrument panel lights went out. dealer was notified about the problem. the problem was corrected at owner's expense. problem due to water condensation in the fuse box. *ak *ml | |||
| 03/10/2000 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| It seems like when one thing started to short on my contour everything started to go...first the lights started going on and off then ..the a/c started shorting then it completely froze causing timing to jump and noew ..i'm told the car needs new computer ..it dies in middle of road the sensors are bad ...please help me regarding this matter .. | |||
| Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 99v103000/ manufacturer's recall 99s14 concerning headlights. dealer corrected the problem prior to the recall. consumer received a refund. currently, consumer is having the same problem as stated in the recall, dealer refuses to correct the problem. please provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 12/06/1999 | |||
| Battery not able to hold the current. also, headlights and interior lights are not working. *ak | |||
| 04/19/1999 | |||
| The fuse keeps blowing out. this causes the air conditioner not work. took to dealer. vehicle failed to start & needed a jump. informed battery was needed. *ak | |||
| Tail lights along with the interior lights do not work. dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 04/16/1999 | |||
| Pe98063, the headlights and tail lights malfuctioned, which caused the lights to go on and off. this may cause visual difficulty, and may result in an accident. dealer replaced headlights, but problem is reoccurring. eadelr did determine an electrical problem. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1999 | |||
| Consumer experienced a series of electrical problems which resulted in a fire. all lights inside and outside went out except the headlamps. also, fuses blew out too often and smoke came from the turn signal. mechanic replaced the turn signal and noticed that all other wires in the steering column were damaged. dealership insisted that if there was no extnded warranty they would not repair. *ak | |||
| 11/14/1998 | |||
| Consumer was driving vehicle on the highway when the instrument and tail lights went out. learned that the switch was burnt out and needed to replace the electrical harness & switch. *ak | |||
| 09/21/1998 | |||
| Headlights and dashlights did not work when switch was turned on. dealer contacted, and stated the headlight switch was burnt out, wires and the connector were all burnt out also, vehcile should not be driven due to a fire hazard. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| Was driving vehicle at approximately 40mph when it suddenly stalled out without any warning. *ak | |||
| 01/14/2001 | 3 | 04/01/1996 | |
| I got this car in april 96. i have had it in the shop several times because the car just completely loses power without any warning at all. it locks up the steering and brakes. it happens at all speeds and in varying temperatures. they have never been able to find the problem. the most recent episode was jan 14, 2001. sometimes i have to tow the car, other times it will start back up. this last time it started back up after about 5 minutes. fortunately, other drivers have been paying attention, and i haven't been killed. this car has also experienced: check engine light always on...dealer cannot find problem, but charges $110 to diagnose it each time!....the accelerator pedal cable broke in 2000. again, fortunately, i was in my neighborhood and no cars nailed me. the paint on this car is beginning to peel/crack even though it is garage kept. i have had to put 3 sets of brakes on this car...have also had the dash and tail lights go out (which they did fix) also the ac knob broke (which they fixed) i have taken it in for all known recalls. ford has never responded to my concerns about the complete power loss i keep experiencing and the dealer just suggests totally useless repairs that cost alot and do not solve the problem. *ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| My ford contour has been stalling out and dying on me while moving along in traffic, at stop signs, and while stopped at traffic lights. the loud fog horn sound usually begins when i am slowing down to stop or while i am stopped, but it has begun even when i am at full drive speed of approx. 35 miles per hour. the stalling out and dying seems to happen more often when the temperatures outside are very cold. the car also tends to rev itself (up to 1500 rpms) when i'm stopped at a stop sign, etc. after i had the maf sensor replaced the first time, back in jan. 2000, the car continued to rev itself and tried to stall out. i took the car back to the auto service ctr. and was told they needed to reprogram the computer and that would take care of the problems. while the car did not rev itself at stop or idle, as much as before, it did still continue to rev at a full stop. the vehicle has also been roaring like a fog horn and completly stalled out and died on me when i was stopped at stop signs, traffic lights, in parking garages in long lines of traffic, and while i was driving at slow speeds. i recently took the veh. back to the service ctr. and was told it was again the maf sensor and that a replacement would indeed fix the problems. the car is still roaring and stalling/dying on me when i'm out in traffic. this is very dangerous and i certainly consider it a safety hazard. i finally went to the nhtsa website after the 2nd maf sensor (01/01) did not correct the problems. service bulletins on the nhtsa indicate the same problems (stalling/dying out) are happening in other contours. now, the ford service ctr. is telling me that i need a duct and resonator assemby (part # f-6rz-9b659-ca) to correct the noise and stalling out problems that i was told the maf sensor would correct. evidently, the entire air intake system has a real problem in this contour. please review and do a recall. *ak | |||
| 12/14/2000 | |||
| Whenever starting vehicle or even driving electrical system would start acting up. windshield wipers would go on by themselves, have not been turned on. lights, interior & exterior, would go out. ignition will not start vehicle sometimes.also, would hear a clicking noise. did not have a battery problems. heater blower failed to work. no recalls on vehicle for electrical problems. *ak | |||
| 08/19/1999 | 1 | 09/01/1997 | |
| Ignition wire under cowl severed by windshield wiper components that caused engine shutdown, loss of power assist to brakes and steering, battery discharge and blown fuses. | |||
| 07/30/1996 | |||
| Consumer was driving and car stalls, dealer can't find the problem. please describe . *ak | |||
| While driving, vehicle's engine shuts off. please describe. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 03/10/2000 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| It seems like when one thing started to short on my contour everything started to go...first the lights started going on and off then ..the a/c started shorting then it completely froze causing timing to jump and noew ..i'm told the car needs new computer ..it dies in middle of road the sensors are bad ...please help me regarding this matter .. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 06/02/2001 | 1 | 06/01/1998 | |
| Ignition fails to completely shut vehicle off when turned to off position, and the key is removed. consumer stated that it also takes excessive effort to insert or remove key from ignition. dealership has examined vehicle, and was going to replace ignition. *ak | |||
| 01/10/2001 | 1 | 03/01/1996 | |
| Consumer is able to pull key out of ignition in any gear. *ak | |||
| 03/26/1999 | 04/01/1998 | ||
| The ignition switch is in an operating condition to enable the ignition key to be pulled from the ignition switch with the engine still running. spoke to capistrano ford, stated car used and cost of repair: $200.00. *ak | |||
| Consumer took this vehicle in to be repaired under the recall 99s14 for an ignition switch, the vehicle was repaired, but now theirs is a problem with front end vibrating very hard. the dealer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1996 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Ignition switch failed. | |||
| Experienced intermittent failure of ignition switch, upon turning key, engine won't start, instead windshield wipers movedwithout engaging wiper switch.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 02/20/1996 | |||
| Consumer bought vehicle in september. she went outside that morning to start it up her vehicle and she noticed a knocking noise comming from underneath the hood. the dealer replaced starter and water pump but problem still exist. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 03/05/2002 | 90000 | 3 | 04/05/2001 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. one month ago, the contact discovered that there is a recall for her vehicle. she stated that the engine lights continue to illuminate while driving 40 mph, and a wiring repair was performed in the transmission. she also stated that the wiring harness was damaged by the heater blower. the vehicle was purchased in 2001 and the contact has been experiencing engine failure ever since. the engine size is not available. the current mileage is 110,000 and failure mileage was 90,000. | |||
| 11/15/2006 | 168000 | 1 | 11/15/2006 |
| Car has 168000 miles . my daughter just purchased it. 11/06 after checking over i found insulation on wires is rotted and falling off. i noticed some repairs have been attempted but still looks unsafe to operate because of possibility of fire .she now has a car she cant use and cant afford to repair. *nm | |||
| 12/01/2005 | 107880 | 1 | 09/05/2003 |
| I paid to have the car towed again to get a second opinion. while doing this i also did some research on the internet and found that my car had a recall on the under wire harness but that the recall had expired after 100,000 miles after seeing how many recalls where done on my car i realized that what genes evans ford told me was that it would cost me $2500.00 to fix the under wire harness problem. i obtained a second opinion which confirmed the wire harness, issue and ford built the car., and gene evans ford knew nothing about the recalls! i want my car fixed! on april 28,2004 when i was not sure if my car had a problem i took it to gene evans ford for a diagnostic reading, the odometer read 95904 and on may 3,2004 when the odometer read 96037, which is considerably less than the statute of limitations with regard to the electrical problem as well as the under wire harness recall,99m03, which is 100,000 miles or ten years. if the automotive technician at ford service could not elaborate that there was a recall that may cause problems . how was i to know? i continued to drive my car, trusting ford's opinion on any concerns i may have had. this situation has cost me endless distress as well as financial setbacks, fixing problems that now i see where related to one recall or another . i have but one car, pay my premiums on time and a clean driving record. i feel that this can happen to anyone and i am most dissatisfied , with the way gene evans ford has handled this matter. i want my car fixed! or if need be replaced, with functioning non-defective parts, should my car get fixed i want all recalls on my car researched and fixed since the underwire harness was not the only recall i found on my car,and i want it all in writing! thanking you in advance for your careful consideration in this matter. my car is now completely dead. with no attempt at gene evans ford or dearborn michigan addressing my concerns.*jb | |||
| 07/25/2005 | 1 | 07/25/2005 | |
| I bought a 1996 ford contour from and individual in july of this year. it ran well, for a few days, and then the od light kept coming on, and it felt like it was shifting into low. i kept mashing the button on the shift arm and the light would go out and then come back on this would go on for several days, then it would be ok for several days, just to start up all over again. then i had the old changed in november and the would not stay cranked for me to get home. the wires under the hood are all flaking of there plastic covering. i assume this is why it will not stayed cranked. i can not drive it in this condition. *nm | |||
| 10/01/2004 | 1 | 08/01/1997 | |
| Dt: 1996 ford contour. the contact states the wiring harness failed. the vehicle was inspected, and this was how they found the problem. recall 01v230000 was issued, but this vehicle was not included. there has been nothing done to correct this problem. the contact stated it will cost $1700 to fix it. this problem was discovered approximately a year ago. there has not been a fire yet, but this could be the consequence of the recall.*ak updated 11/16/2005. *nm | |||
| 02/02/2005 | 4 | 03/07/2001 | |
| Major harness & electrical wiring which is under recall that the ford dealership will not honor. | |||
| 02/01/2005 | 4 | ||
| Dt: consumer states that she has had problems with the electrical system. she has had the vehicle in to the mechanic several times and the mechanic called a local ford dealer and inquired on recalls on the vehicle. at that time they were told there were two recalls, 01i009000 and 01v230000. consumer called the customer service department at ford and was told the recall had expired and she would have to pay for the recall work. *jb | |||
| 08/05/2004 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was parked and it caught on fire. the neighbor noticed that blinker was on, and suddenly there was a loud bang, assumed to be the battery.*ak | |||
| 10/11/2003 | 135000 | 10 | |
| Intermittently transmission went in and out of overdrive by itself. when this failure occurred and the system failed to correct itself vehicle was taken to a dealership. dealer determined that an electrical malfunction affected the speed control sensor, and the sensor needed to be replaced. the electrical failure was caused by wiring harness plastic installation disintegrating and falling off. manufacturer issued an extended warranty on this part, but consumer's vehicle was over the warranty mileage.*ak | |||
| 12/01/1996 | |||
| The main electrical wires in the engine compartment are all peeling. the insulation of all the connectors are all dry rotted, causing numours odb codes to pop up. because of the short in the wires.*ak | |||
| 11/14/2000 | 1 | 09/27/1996 | |
| The wiring was damaged by corrosion which caused the abs light to malfunction, the alarm system to be defective, the heating system to work improperly, and the cigarette lighter to not work. *slc | |||
| 08/03/2000 | 5 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. *ak | |||
| 08/01/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1997 | |
| Screw for driver side sunvisor fell off while vehicle was in motion, causing blocked vision totally. *ak the driver side visor fell off twice. the second fall shorted electrical wires causing radio, clock and other components to fail. *yh | |||
| 05/14/1999 | |||
| There is a short within the electrical wires which melted, causing truck light wires to hang down, and door light to work intermittently. *ak | |||
| 07/30/1999 | |||
| There is a defective switc/ panel & wire assembely parts components of the wiring panel. this causes problem with air conditioner, blower, etc. will be taking vehicle to dealer to have electric component checked out. *ak | |||
| 04/01/1999 | |||
| Consumer experienced a series of electrical problems which resulted in a fire. all lights inside and outside went out except the headlamps. also, fuses blew out too often and smoke came from the turn signal. mechanic replaced the turn signal and noticed that all other wires in the steering column were damaged. dealership insisted that if there was no extnded warranty they would not repair. *ak | |||
| 01/22/1999 | 1 | ||
| The plastic insulation on the electrical wiring burned off, causing a short circuit in the heating system, heat remains on high. *ak.et. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 1 | 10/25/1997 | |
| This problem started way back at the date below and i could not get ford to fix this problem so i have been attempting to keep the car running by electrical taping the exposing wires. i wonder why amercian made vehicles are loosing to foreign companies... self explanatory i think. no pride in the american worker. just do the job and make living. complaint is ford contour gl engine wiring harnesses severely deteriorating. i work with electrical wiring on aircraft daily and have never seen wiring like this. i've worked in areas where aircraft wiring go through severe temperature changes, high humidity, and sea spray to name a few. no aircraft that i've worked on has had wiring like this. transportation such as aircraft don't or should say cannot have wiring like this why can cars? obvious safety hazard for car owners around the country, car fails from wiring in the middle of rush hour traffic and what happens to the owner and possible other innocent drivers around them? this incident i believe requires immediate action. as i stated i am currently using electrical tape to attempt to keep the wires from touching and causing a fire or damage to other engine components. currently chasing air conditioning, engine fan, and fuel injector problems with this wiring. a vehicles wiring should never become this brittle. this goes to prove why ford is closing plants and nissan and toyota are on top of the automotive sales. think about it ford, trying to get by with cheap stuff and see where you are now, verge of bankruptcy. *jb | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 135000 | 100 | 02/06/2004 |
| The problem started on the incident date, wire problem cause the entire fan/ac/heater panel so no longer work, the wire got so hot hot it melted our under-dash fuse box, we went for 9 months and a baby with no a/c in hot and no heat in the cold, husband(josh murphy) went to junk yard after being turned away by dealership and got replacement parts off an identical car. that was in june of 2005. on that date we saw that all of the wires under the hood were severely cracked and damaged after eltrcial taping a few of the exposed wired there became a short that now cuases a computer problem and a loss of power then trying to accelerate anf pull into traffic, or just anytime it wants to. the over-drive light comes on and transmission starts to get really jerky and the odometer and everything else in the panal starts to malfunction, most of the time we dont even know how fast we are going or how many miles we have gone. we have a 18 month old and a new baby due in just weeks and i am scared that one time when i go to pull out the car just isnt going to go at all and we might get hit by someone, o and sometimes it just turns itself off in traffic too. the deaalership tell me that all of those wires were replaced in 2000 but they should have made it longer that 4 years without degenerating again. the local dealership also tells me that i would have to just pay for the work and being a new family we cannot afford something like that, especially since it was a recall item at one time. please there has to be something done about this, i know we are not the only 96 ford contour owners with this exact problem either. | |||
| 06/26/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and had the mechanic look underneath the hood. vehicle was melting inside due to this problem. she had no air condition or heat. *ak | |||
| 08/15/2002 | 05/01/2000 | ||
| Mr | |||
| A failure in wiring harness resulted in wires overheating, damaging wiring harness. ford customer relations are neglecting service based on a letter from them with a mileage restriction of 100,000 miles. please describe details.*ak | |||
| 06/10/2002 | 1 | 01/01/2098 | |
| This car is a lemon - it is not safe. *ak | |||
| 01/16/2002 | 02/01/1997 | ||
| Engine check light coming on. took to kinsel ford in june 2001...told catalytic converter going out. engine light went off...started coming on again and car had alot of exhaust and running rough. took to silsbee ford and was told that the engine was out due to the engine cooling fan not coming on like it was suppose to so it also fried the wires. ford is willing to pay for parts but refuses to pay for labor due to the fact that they say it was out of the 100,000 warrenty for the repair. i explained that the problem was going on when i brought it in in june and they didn't correct it then, according to the check out sheet they didn't even check it for that and i specifically asked for that recall to be checked. i had even been in in march of 2000 for the check engine light coming on. i was told by ford that my car had no recall for the engine and engine cooling fan. just extremely upset that you can have a recall, take your car in and it not be checked for it and when it goes out due to the recall that the company penalizes the consumer.*ak | |||
| 08/10/2001 | |||
| Vehicle had no power causing consumer to purchase a new battery. vehicle wouldn't work with new battery because consumer noticed wires were not attached. dealer stated ford has a program which is 10 year or 100,000 miles, but can only be fixed if a problem occurs. consumers is responsible for the cost of repairs.*ak | |||
| 02/12/2001 | 1 | 12/01/1995 | |
| Consumer had just parked car and turn it off and heard a popping noise. then, 10 to 15 minutes later, consumer saw smoke and fire coming from engine. called fire department. *ak | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| What exactly are they recalling on the 1996-1998 ford contour? is it the whole car or just the electric system? is that considered the wiring harness? the reason we're so interested is because we've had many major problems with our 1996 ford contour. we sent our car to the ford of ocala,fl for the wiring harness recall, and they gave us a very hard time about fixing it. they were trying to get us to replace parts that weren't even bad, at the cost of $400.00 for one part. but then they said there was a whole list of things that were wrong with it, and after they fixed each of these parts, if our car still didn't start, then they'd get to fixing the wiring harness. we had 2 mechanics check these parts and they weren't bad at all. it took them 2 and a half weeks before they gave us our car back.then when we got it back, we had to take it to our regular mechanic who said they wired it wrong, and left the wiring to the air-conditioning and the alternator undone. that was 2 months ago, and we just had to replace our alternator. the mechanic that fixed the alternator said they did a lousy job, because half the wiring wasn't even done right. there is wiring in our car that is bare, and he said it could cause our car to catch on fire. also, the wiring leading to the alternator is bare, which he said most likely shorted out the alternator. so now we need to have the wiring redone, and all of this has cost us hundreds of dollars. this car is the worst car ever made, we've had nothing but problems with it from the day we gotit! we had the air fixed, and after they did the recall, the air no longer worked anymore. also, after they worked on the recall, there are many wires that are still cracked and brittle, and left bare. the wiring to the battery is completely bare, also, and we've had to replace the battery 3 times since we've had the car. the seatbelt locks up while driving where it is so tight i can't move at all.we're afraid it will catch fire! also more problems! | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| There are too many problems with our car to write down. please contact us. | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| What exactly are they recalling on the 1996-1998 ford contour? is it the whole car or just the electric system? is that considered the wiring harness? the reason we're so interested is because we've had many major problems with our 1996 ford contour. we sent our car to the ford of ocala,fl for the wiring harness recall, and they gave us a very hard time about fixing it. they were trying to get us to replace parts that weren't even bad, at the cost of $400.00 for one part. but then they said there was a whole list of things that were wrong with it, and after they fixed each of these parts, if our car still didn't start, then they'd get to fixing the wiring harness. we had 2 mechanics check these parts and they weren't bad at all. it took them 2 and a half weeks before they gave us our car back.then when we got it back, we had to take it to our regular mechanic who said they wired it wrong, and left the wiring to the air-conditioning and the alternator undone. that was 2 months ago, and we just had to replace our alternator. the mechanic that fixed the alternator said they did a lousy job, because half the wiring wasn't even done right. there is wiring in our car that is bare, and he said it could cause our car to catch on fire. also, the wiring leading to the alternator is bare, which he said most likely shorted out the alternator. so now we need to have the wiring redone, and all of this has cost us hundreds of dollars. this car is the worst car ever made, we've had nothing but problems with it from the day we gotit! we had the air fixed, and after they did the recall, the air no longer worked anymore. also, after they worked on the recall, there are many wires that are still cracked and brittle, and left bare. the wiring to the battery is completely bare, also, and we've had to replace the battery 3 times since we've had the car. the seatbelt locks up while driving where it is so tight i can't move at all.we're afraid it will catch fire! also more problems! | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 3 | 11/01/1997 | |
| There are too many problems with our car to write down. please contact us. | |||
| 10/15/1997 | 2 | 03/01/1997 | |
| 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. | |||
| Recalls 99v103000/99s14/99m03/99m04, and 99m07: all of these recalls have not been remedied. dealer dobbs ford, 2515 mt moriah, memphis, tn 38115 901-367-4976, had no parts available. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 08/10/1998 | 1 | 01/01/1998 | |
| The front end of vehicle shakes and rattles when slowing down..the smell of burning wires are present when ac and heaters are utilized.very dangerous if you live in cold climate area. could cause injury or even death during winter months. ford should do a safety recall on all engine, internal wiring harness, and fix rotors. *ak | |||
| 03/23/1999 | 2 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Electrical wiring harness failed, causing tail lights/interior lights, and parking lights to go out.had it fixed for $181.90 3/23/99 as of 7/2/99 dealer says he has no information on recall. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 02/15/2005 | 105900 | 1 | 06/01/1998 |
| I own a 1996 ford contour (vin 1falp6539tk158348) that the instrument panel lights and tail lights went out on. there was a recall on this item (recall 99s14) back in 1999. upon bringing the car into an brookdale ford (brooklyn center, mn), they told me that they would fix the problem free of charge because it did not apply to my vehicle. i then called ford motor company customer relationship center. they told me that the problem was already fixed on my car (even though i never brought the car in for this service). they refused to help. even if the recall was fixed on my car, the fact that the same two parts of my car (instrument panel and tail lights) failed, tells me that the recall repair was not done correctly.*ak | |||
| 01/10/2005 | 101000 | 3 | |
| Consumer complained about a mass air flow sensor problem. owner took the vehicle to the dealer to have the work done. also, owner was informed that the wire harness under the hood was defective. *ak | |||
| 06/18/1999 | |||
| Vehicle was taken in for recall # 99 v 103 000 for the head lights. headlights and wiring harness were replaced. a month later , headlights and tail lights and all dash lights went out. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 1 | 10/01/1995 | ||
| Ford fixed blower switch and resister under warranty years ago. do i need to be concerned about the recall? i think it's all fixed. *ak | |||
| 09/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| Consumer was traveling on highwayand vehicle started smoking blue smoke. then, vehicle caught on fire dashboard was badly burned. no injuries. *ak | |||
| 03/01/1998 | |||
| I have previously had problems with this vehicle and have taken it more than eight different times to be service and problem still has not been resolved even after having engine replaced i am having some of the same problems. car has been serviced on a regular basis and still it has problems.e . . | |||
| 02/12/1999 | |||
| Smoke came out of the dashboard . *ak | |||
| 06/16/1999 | |||
| While driving instrument panel flickered on and off, and vehicle stalled unexpectedly which could have caused a crash. the occupant was not able to restart the vehicle. dealer has not yet looked at vehicle. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 04/22/1999 | 1 | 03/01/1997 | |
| Headlight switch and mount failed/burned up/lights won't turn off/on, needed replacing, dashboard components always run hot; fuel door lever inside car doesn't work reliably & door sticks; egr hose failed, took ford 1.5 weeks to get one in, no guidelines re: this hose ever needing replaced, & it costs $93??!?! | |||
| 05/01/1996 | |||
| An electrical short under the dash caused headlights to become inoperable, also resulting in damages to the electrical wiring harness. cause unknown. *ak | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 10/01/1997 | ||
| Ford need to replace this car with a safe one! come on 6 electrical failures? when will the fire start from the failures?..dateline nbc next! | |||
| 05/11/1998 | 1 | ||
| Wiring harness failure caused short in electrical system. | |||