Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | |||||
| 6707 | 08/01/1999 | 608441 | Concerns with activating the octane adjust function with ngs or sbds. *tt | 11/03/2000 | |
| 12917 | 07/01/1999 | 610746 | Some vehicles may exhibit a concern in activating the octaine adjust feature when using the module reconfiguration method. *tt | 05/12/2000 | |
| 6546 | 07/01/1999 | 610679 | Some vehicles may exhibit a concern in activating the octane adjust feature when using the module reconfiguration method. *tt | 05/10/2000 | |
| 13336 | 10/01/1999 | 609617 | Information on activating octane adjust function with ngs/sbds. *tt | 04/04/2000 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL | |||||
| 022001 | 10/01/2002 | 10013086 | Replacement speaker installation tips. *tt | 04/07/2005 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||||
| 02208 | 10/14/2002 | 10013060 | Climate control a/c service tech tips. *eh | 04/07/2005 | |
| 13355 | 10/01/1999 | 6092160 | Information regarding a/c peanut o-ring color. *tt | 11/27/2000 | |
| 12525 | 03/01/1999 | 6091773 | Concerns with the left air conditioning panel register discharge temperature that is warmer than the center and / or right vents. *tt | 11/14/2000 | |
| 7249 | 10/01/1999 | 6090834 | Information on using peanut style a/c fittings. *tt | 03/30/2000 | |
| 99196 | 09/20/1999 | 6090087 | Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt | 03/08/2000 | |
| 5849 | 03/01/1999 | 605237 | Some vehicles may exhibit a left air conditioning panel register discharge temperature that is warmer than the center and / or right vents. *tt | 06/04/1999 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | |||||
| 99129 | 06/14/1999 | 606460 | Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump. *tt | 08/24/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | |||
| 02/28/2005 | 1 | 07/24/1999 | |
| 1999 v6 contour se. rh rear spring made by visteon broke from corrosion @ 87k miles. lh rear spring covered with rust visteon is also maker of front springs that had recall on 95-97my front springs. poor spring coating design incl. iron phosphate. ignition switch failure at 75k miles. had to be replaced. top of dashboard was recalled with a kit. kit did not fix problem -- excessive rattles still exist. i understand that was the intent of recall & ford has no additional kits or plans to replace faulty recall. kit was replaced around 60k miles. faulty dpfe sensor on this duratec engine. dealer told me replacement sensors had a re-design that did not have exposed area that constantly triggers check engine light. original sensors get contamination and will trigger the check light continuously. ford did not recall and only replaced if complaints under warranty. i noticed problem around 60000 miles.*ak | |||
| 07/30/1999 | 15000 | 1 | 07/15/1999 |
| This is not an aesthetic complaint as classified by ford motor corporation. dashboard is peeling up from base of windshield and obstructing drivers view, defrost panel is now dislodged from dashboard and creating additional obstruction of driver's view and rendered non functional. the recession of the dashboard is now separating from the air bag deployment section of the dash. i purchased this vehicle new and have been the sole owner since its purchase in july 1999 and have been refused assistance. i contacted first the ford dealership from which i purchased the vehicle and was told there was in fact a recall on this item and had since expired and was directed to call ford motor corporation directly for further assistance. i was not notified of the recall. the three customer service representatives that i have spoken to over the past 24-30 months each confirmed the recall and noted 1) since it was classified as an aesthetic problem it had an expiration date attached it and 2) it was sent to the dealerships to expedite on vehicles that came in for scheduled maintenance visits. again, i was not notified from either the dealership at the time of my service visits or ford motor corporation when the recall was initiated. i have requested second opinions from outside sources that are ford certified in body repair and each noted the ramifications of driving this vehicle without the manufacturer defect corrected is and not limited to a spontaneous deployment of the air bag and a result of a potentially fatal accident for the driver, passengers, and not excluding other drivers on the road that could inadvertently be involved. in my research of this situation i have found complaints of this nature with similar responses since 2001.*ak | |||
| 11/15/2003 | 0 | ||
| Since i took the ownership of my 99 ford contour svt, it has been nothing but trouble. i want to keep this short, so i will breifly tell you of the problems i have encountered. in less than 2 years this has all happened. fog lights have gone out, twice. cv axis boot had to be replaced due to flawed manufacturing. abs system failure, rear window defroster went out. its on its 3rd fuel pump. very tough starts when its cold, stock alarm malufuction, right rear tail light went out, left front speaker went out, drivers door handle malufuction, the dash came up from the windshield back about 6". honestly there is more, i am trying to pull all this from memory. to conclude i would like to say that i will never own a ford again. ever. | |||
| 07/17/2003 | 1 | 12/19/2002 | |
| I bought a 1999 ford contour, and when i bought it i was informed that the dash was coming up, but they were on recall. then about a week ago i found out that my car is not on that recall list. ever since i did buy it in january 2003 the dash has come up even more.the entire top of the dash is warped.i have tried epoxy, but the whole dash just needs to be replaced,it's so bad. i don't agree with that because it is a default on the makers end. i think that it is a big saftey hazard since there are airbags undre the dash. why is this not on a recall list? cause this is a safety hazard for my children and i. please call me with information. (425)355-1703 vin# 1fafp6637xk152629. *ak | |||
| 04/11/2003 | 03/15/1999 | ||
| Engine light stays on; air conditioner will only work on high; will not work on low; relative has same car 2000 model - - having same problem. | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||
| 10/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| Nhtsa website confirms 79 similar complaints of ford's known manufacture defects in dashboard assembly is a safety hazard that compromises the occupant/pedestrian saftey: warped dash panel and sprung out front defrost grill obstructs driver's view; loose grill strikes windshield while car in motion and could break it; deflects proper airbag deployment; proper airflow of defrost is deflected; ford knowingly manufactures and sells defective vehicles. then immediately issues a customer satisfaction program notice (in this case cps # 01b78) that has an expiration date designed to preempt manifestation of the defects by the customer. on my 1999 ford contour se, the defroster grill has sprung out and juts out of alignment so that the airflow from defrost mechanism is obstructed. dashboard warped and separated from windshield on the driver's side with the fissure spreading toward the passenger side. ford customer service declined to do repairs/replacement at no charge, stating ford is no longer liable because the customer service program expired august 2002. instead, the ford dealer service department offered me the loyal customer service deal of making the repair for cost of only $1638.12. i purchased the vehicle new in february 1999 for $18077.16 (financed price of $24318.40)!!! my car loan has been paid in full february 2004 with no late payments. my vehicle's routine maintenance was done by the ford dealer's service department. i am a second time ford owner; my previous vehicle was a 1992 ford tempo. however, lord willing, the 1999 contour will be my last. these are just some of the additional expenses i incurred seldom used a/c repair $275 faulty engine light 02 sensors replace $500 dealer cut brake roters too low $800. *nm | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 65000 | 6 | 11/01/1999 |
| Dt: 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. *ak | |||
| 07/05/2003 | 8 | ||
| Several items first the dash bowed in from both sides,a month after picking the car up the air conditioner went out the dealership said my problem, the tires were bad we replaced them they are bad all the time have to be replaced more then a normal tire should , the car broke down last year on the highway again my problem the rotors and other things were bad somthing i as a consumer would not have known about , cannot get car inspected because the horn does not work and cannot be fixed due to airbag again my problem o yes was in a finder binder airbag did not work minor injries , the drivers seat rocks the rear seat belt will not work more problems this car is worth nothing i on;y drive to and from work in it and the way it is falling apart youd think i travel across country in it ...this is not a good car to ever purchase will never buy from ford again!!! srb this prblems have been on going from 2000-2003. *ak | |||
| 06/23/2003 | 9000 | 3 | 05/01/2000 |
| Ac does not blow cold. third time for this repair. car has only 35,000 miles. *jb | |||
| 06/24/2002 | 1 | ||
| I want to know if this is a recall. no safety defec tmentioned. *ak | |||
| 04/03/2002 | 1 | 07/01/2000 | |
| The passenger side seat belt locked while i was driving on the interstate. the econd time, it just would not release, and i had to cut the seatbeat so the passenger could get out. air conditioner blower switch just went out one day. the air conditioner will only work if i keep the control turned to high. i would like to have both of these items replaced by ford, if possible. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2001 | |||
| Whenever turning on air conditioner car hesitates and on highway, it won't pick up speed.*ak | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | |||
| 03/14/2007 | 99279 | 3 | 03/08/2006 |
| I have a 1999 ford contour i bought it and 6 months later the timing belt went out this cost me $800.00 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. *tr | |||
| 06/01/2004 | 65000 | 6 | 11/01/1999 |
| Dt: 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. *ak | |||
| 03/01/2003 | 3 | ||
| Nar 06/19/2003. *mr the consumer had his vehicle towed to vista ford approx 3 times in one month for a broken fuel pump that needed to be replaced.the vehicle had a b roken radio antenna and a vibration which was coming from the tires. in addition to all the other problems the dashboard was coming apart and the floor material under the hood of the driver and passenger seat was coming apart. ford has not offered any assistance in expediting fees and cost of repairs. please assist in resolving matters. *cb *jb | |||
| 05/03/2002 | 50000 | 1 | 02/12/2000 |
| The dash board on my 1999 contour has curled back and the vent mechanism has come out. now, the defroster is obstructed and does not defrost my windshield properly. my windshield has now cracked. the dealer said this was the subject of a recall, but the recall is now expired.other problems with the car: the radio speakers have failed. the driver's side were replace under my warranty, but now that i am out of the warranty, the passenger side speakers are shot; the dome light does not turn on when i open the driver's door but it does when the other doors are opened; my blower motor stopped working and i had to have it replaced, and it now smells like it is burning when i use it.*ak | |||
| 13 | |||
| The vehicle had poor gas mileage. the drivers window jammed. the rubber piece around the frame of the right side rear passenger's seat constantly came off. the shoulder harness on driver's side and in the rear seats twisted and jammed. the dashboard cover came loose. the radio operated poorly. the trunk latch often required multiple pulls to open the trunk. the air bag light intermittently came on. while driving there was a whining/grinding noise. *ak *nlm | |||
| 10/19/1999 | 15 | 10/01/1999 | |
| Our car has had problems since day one we have 2 different emblams on the fenders, window fell out, speakers busted, carpet ruined by leaks, fan switch only works on high setting, instrument panel smoked up as if burning, hood doesn't meet up with cowl, trunk stays soaked, and there are numerous other problems all happened within six months of original purchase. *ak | |||
| 12/20/1999 | 4 | 11/01/1999 | |
| While driving; radio & interior lights will shut off when blinker, door & or other electronic component used or for no reason at all. also have had problems w/ alarm system. dealer unable to locate sorce of problem, changed radio twice, alarm & fuse box once. | |||
| EQUIPMENT - MECHANICAL - JACKS | |||
| Jack that comes equipped with vehicle is too short , will not pick up vehicle enough to actually take off the tire, causing vehicle to slip off jack. *ak | |||