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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | ||||||||||||||||
| 08E033000 | FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS | E (Equipment) | 6903 | 05/22/2008 | MFR | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/14/2008 | 04/17/2008 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. the part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. these parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. if the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. this may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. the recall began on may 22, 2008. owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | This recall only pertains to aftermarket ball joint assemblies and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 7344 | 11/01/1999 | 610781 | Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration at 60-70 mph. *tt | 05/15/2000 | |
| 13364 | 10/01/1999 | 609651 | Customer may comment on vibration at 60 - 70 mph at cruise. *tt | 04/05/2000 | |
| 13387 | 10/01/1999 | 609663 | Vehicles with rear disc brakes may exhibit a squeak in the rear suspension area. *tt | 04/05/2000 | |
| 7132 | 10/01/1999 | 6090733 | Vehicles may exhibit a creaking or squeaking type noise from the rear suspension. *tt | 03/28/2000 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||||
| 15241 | 01/01/2002 | 630024 | Some vehicles may exhibit a noise that appears to come from the front wheel bearings. *tt | 04/11/2002 | |
| 15241 | 09/01/2001 | 625783 | Some vehicles may exhibit a noise that appears to come from the front wheel bearings. *tt | 12/03/2001 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| 8299 | 04/01/2000 | 613633 | Some vehicles may exhibit a creaking noise or squeaking type noise from the rear suspension. **mr | 07/26/2000 | |
| 8299 | 03/01/2000 | 612723 | Some vehicles may exhibit a creaking or squeaking type noise from the rear suspension occurring over bumps during low speed maneuvers only. *tt | 06/12/2000 | |
| 6555 | 07/01/1999 | 610682 | Some vehicles may exhibit a creaking or squeaking type noise from the rear suspension. *tt | 05/10/2000 | |
| 13209 | 09/01/1999 | 6090580 | Information regarding rear spring creak/squeak. *mjs | 03/21/2000 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 09/18/2009 | 37777 | 1 | |
| I was never notified of any recalls. i have had to pay out of pocket expenses lost control of vehicle replaced starter and brakes several times feels like suspension is falling apart and never notified i have small and older children shameful. these events starting taking place when i purchased the vehicle in 1999 arm control 3 times replaced i was lied to by ford and said i must of hit a bump bump my bump 3 times almost dead. *tr | |||
| 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 | |||
| 06/21/2002 | 4 | 02/01/2002 | |
| While shifting vehicle from park into reverse vehicle will shift itself into neutral, and not allow consumer to move.*ak 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. *jg | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| Roads were wet and consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway.he felt vibration inside of steering wheel. without prior warning vehicle flipped twice and landed on top of roof of vehicle. dealership was aware of problem.*ak | |||
| While driving and attemping to make a right or left turn front wheels locked up, causing loss of vehicle control, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| 05/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| Steering wheel vibrated when consumer approached a speed of 60 to 70 mph.also, vehicle idled high when removing foot from brake. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 07/12/2007 | 07/01/2001 | ||
| Took car to dealer because the brakes were acting up . found that both tone rings in the abs system broke. the dashboard had been warping for the last four years, was told at the shop that there had been a recall on the dashboard, and i must have gotten a letter, but it expired and will cost $1164.60 to replace it. the during the inspection they told me that the front coil spring broke. they could get away with the defective dashboard because they could blame the consumer, for driving without clear vision?, but the rings that control the braking action,and the coil spring being made of bad materials was a absolutely a safety problem, that should bring about an immediate recall. when one of these components failed while driving a bus full of children of a cliff whose fault will it be then. not mine for not reporting it, maybe that of nhtsa for not recalling it, maybe fords for not fixing it, or maybe shared blame. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1999 | |||
| Vehicle vibrated at 10 mph. took to dealer, and they stated there was vibration, but it was normal for these cars. at 6000 miles front passenger and drivers side tire were wearing out. at 17000 miles all 4 tire were worn. dealer willingly replaced all 4. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 1 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| Within 6 months of the purchase of my vehicle, the car started having problems with vibrations, shaking, and severe noise while driving. the engine idled rough and got more severe when the heating or cooling system was used. all tires have been replaced, a major brake job with rotors turned was completed, and the struts were replaced. regardless of this work, the shaking in the car has gotten progressively worse. i have taken my car to the dealership five times for the same problems. they have either said that it was normal contour or that it was the tires. finally, they indicate that there is a problem but they cannot determine what it is. my car makes a thumping noise and a squealing noise when i make slow right turns. on several occasions my foot has been on the brake pedal and my car surged forward. at one point i thought that the person behind me had hit me because the car jerked so hard and so unexpectedly. again, i am told that this is normal. this is the worst car that i have ever owned. *ak | |||
| While driving 65-70 mph vehicle pulled to the right, resulting in vehicle being extremely hard to control, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| 11/01/1998 | |||
| 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. *ak (tiresize: p205/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 ) | |||
| 01/01/1999 | |||
| Repeated stalling, missing & loss of power appears mostly when it's very hot out & car has been driven a lot. rough idle even under no load in neutral. no indicators light except during stall which happens even with clutch depressed. missing is most noticeable during acceleration or steady highway speeds, even with cruise on. car sometimes shakes at high speed (70mph). multiple alignments never show same results. dealer can never duplicate, says i am dumping clutch to stall & loss of power is due to a/c. they also claim excessive tire wear is due to my driving habits. *ak( dot number: ) | |||
| 07/14/2000 | 5 | 03/11/2000 | |
| When consumer steered to the left vehicle pulled more than intended. dealer inspected the vehicle & found nothing wrong.*ak the steering problem is caused by bad front end alignment. the transmission failed. broken motor mount was found. the heater failed too. *yh | |||
| 08/30/1999 | 4 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Car has been in shop 1/2 of time owned for numerous problems. brake system had to be replaced in first two weeks and took company 4 weeks to order pads and rotors. alignment is constantly off, since day car was picked up. tires have been replaced once suppossedly,one is again wearing incorrectly and has very loud road noise. paint was bubbly, carpet laid wrong, now power window makes horrible noises going up and down. car has been more of a pain than anything i ever bought. *ak | |||
| 08/06/1999 | 3 | 08/01/1999 | |
| Front end defect causes car to eat tires, unable to align or fix problem, currently dealer is attempting solutions but so far none found. *ak | |||
| 03/04/1999 | 2 | ||
| Brakes would make grinding noises when applied. the tires are going bald. steering wheel feels real loose whn going over bumps or turning. the front end suspension would jerk & pull to the left. will be contacting dealer to have vehicle checked. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||
| 04/13/2004 | 5600 | 1 | |
| When backing out of the driveway there was a popping sound. left front tire went flat. vehicle was towed to the shop, and it was discovered that both struts broke. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||
| 05/22/2003 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Front spring broke which punctured the tire. dealer notified. please provide additional information.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS | |||
| 08/01/2007 | 85000 | 1 | 04/01/2000 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford contour. she stated that the mechanic noticed that there was a crack on the passenger side front coil spring. they stated that the road salt could be a possible cause of the crack. the mechanic made the replacement. the failure and current mileages was 85,000. the vin and engine size was unavailable. | |||
| 05/28/2005 | 149400 | 2 | 03/01/2000 |
| My wife and i own a 1999 ford countour. in august 2004, i had a broken left-front coil spring replaced by a private mechanic with a used part from the identical make/model vehicle. in may 2005, the vehicle was rejected during a nys vehicle inspection for a broken left-front coil spring. after checking on internet and finding a pattern of similar coil spring breakage in recent ford vehicles - including a warranty extension for the 1998 contour - i called ford customer service to request an adjustment, but was informed that the 1999 contour was not covered by any extended warranty relating to this very common defect and that no adjustment would be made. why has ford continued to utilize this defect-prone coil spring design on numerous models, and why is there no extented warranty in place for the 1999 contour as there is for the 1998 model? | |||
| 10/01/2004 | 93000 | 1 | |
| The front coil springs broke while the vehicle was sitting in the driveway. the owner heard a loud noise and went to investigate, it was then discovered that the coil springs had broken tearing into the front tire and causing the front suspension to drop to the ground. *jb the flat tire was on the passenger's side of the vehicle. *sc | |||
| 10/02/2003 | 111000 | 1 | |
| While backing out of the driveway driver's side front coil spring snapped. as a result, the tire was punctured. *ak | |||
| 06/30/2004 | 75785 | 1 | 06/21/2004 |
| I purchased a used 1999 ford contour from a private party on 6/21/04. when i had the required state of vermont inspection done on 6/30/04 a broken right front coil spring was discovered. this is a historic problem, and severe safety hazzard on the ford contour series, as sudden tire failure is commmon with this breakage. years 1995 through 1998 have been recalled for this issue. the problem for the 1998 model year was not discovered until 2001, and a recall was issued that same year. therefore, i believe that ford was still using the defective parts when my car was built in 9/98. this seems to be a prevalent problem as ford is backordered on replacement parts for over a month. it is my feeling at this time that the 1999 model should be subject to a safety recall for this problem.*ak | |||
| 06/10/2004 | 29000 | 1 | |
| While vehicle was parked front coil springs snapped, and vehicle became inoperative. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 06/30/2007 | 65000 | 4 | 11/10/1998 |
| The 1999 contour has 67,000 miles. at 36,000 miles had the left front wheel bearing replaced. since then, i had the front wheel bearings replaced 3 more times. *ak | |||
| 10/20/2004 | 171000 | 4 | |
| The consumer stated the wheel bearings on both sides had gone out on the vehicle four times. the vehicle started to make a loud noise on the highway. after having the vehicle towed, the wheel bearings on both sides failed again. the manufacturer offered no help. *jb | |||
| 01/12/2002 | 1 | ||
| Dash was replaced, but it was installed improperly. also, air conditioning system has leak, and will be replaced next spring. *la vehicle has had the following repairs or replacements: wheel bearings, brakes, tie rods, dashboard, intake manifold, passenger rear struts, left front dome lamp switch, left front speakers, and oygen sensor.*mr | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 09/18/2009 | 37777 | 1 | |
| I was never notified of any recalls. i have had to pay out of pocket expenses lost control of vehicle replaced starter and brakes several times feels like suspension is falling apart and never notified i have small and older children shameful. these events starting taking place when i purchased the vehicle in 1999 arm control 3 times replaced i was lied to by ford and said i must of hit a bump bump my bump 3 times almost dead. *tr | |||
| 09/22/2005 | 60000 | 1 | 11/10/1999 |
| 1999 ford contour se sport dashboard peeling. my dashboard started to peel away at approx 60,000 miles. i now have 80,000 miles on my car. i did not receive notice of a recall on this matter, which was apparently a secret. i have owned 3 fords and will never buy another due to the lax customer service and failure to take responsibility for product failure. i have also had all the head gaskets replaced (i am 60 and hardly hot rodding), rear struts and something related to a loud humming sound under the hood that was essential for the car to remain in working order and problems with the key sticking in the ignition and also a fuel pump. *tr | |||
| 04/13/2007 | 99098 | 4 | 10/12/2003 |
| 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!*ak | |||
| 04/06/2006 | 81600 | 12 | 05/25/2001 |
| 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. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS | |||
| 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 | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - COIL SPRINGS | |||
| 02/25/2007 | 95 | 2 | |
| On my 1999 ford contour with 95,000 km, both rear coil springs have broken, puncturing both rear tires. this car has been driven very nicely and given incredible tlc. the cost of these repairs totaled $1000, and should never have happened if the springs were manufactured properly. *jb | |||