1994 Ford CONTOUR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
1998: 2; 1999: 4; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2003: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 831572 · 1998-12-02 (December 2, 1998)
WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 831572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860755 · 2000-04-21 (April 21, 2000)
TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, AND GEARS WERE STUCK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 831304 · 1998-11-24 (November 24, 1998)
WIRE WITHIN THE FIREWALL CHAFED AGAINST BRACKET, CAUSING THE IGNITION COIL TO SHORT CIRCUIT THROUGH THE COMPUTER WHICH CONTROLS THE ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 831304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 838758 · 1999-06-02 (June 2, 1999)
MANUFACTURERED BATTERY THAT IS IN THIS VEHICLE IS THE WRONG ONE ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 838758 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 133.3% | 216.7%ODI 831572WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION WOULD JUMP INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. *AK | 637.1%ODI 10003035 · 89,000 miAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE SECOND GEAR OR OVERDRIVE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 89000 MILES. | 468.2%ODI 10000682 · 128,000 miTRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER COMPLETE REBUILD. HAVE ALSO HAD TREAD SEPARATION IN TIRES ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS | 167.3%ODI 10042928 · 97,000 miCD4E TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD CONTOUR GL (SAME COMPLAINT AS THE C4DE IN THE MAZDA 626). TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT DUE TO THE TSS SENSOR BREAKING AND FALLING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION - WHICH STOPPED THE PUMP AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE SENSOR IS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDERWELL, WHERE IT IS EXPOSED TO ROAD HAZARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. NOT A GOOD DESIGN. FURTHERMORE, THE REPAIR COSTS $3000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ALL THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE FORD PUT THE SENSOR IN A POSITION WHERE IT CAN BREAK AND CAUSE SIGNIFICA… | 728.5%ODI 10008508THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*JB | 133.1%ODI 10066613CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE IT WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. *PH *NM | 31.5%ODI 10038118 · 40,000 miDASHBOARD WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE DEFROSTER NOT TO WORK PROPERLY AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO JUDGE THE DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO EXPERIENCED DELAYED SHIFTING. *AK *NLM | 125.0%ODI 10192430I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 FORD CONTOUR IN AUGUST, 2006. IT IS NOW JUNE, 2007 AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN!!! I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH CONTOURS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL. THEY HAVE ALL GOTTEN RID OF THEIRS BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 133.3%ODI 721142I PAYED FORD 17,892.00 IN SEPT, 1998, BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO DAMAGE MY CREDIT BECAUSE I HAD TO MAKE SO MANY REPAIRS ON THIS CAR. THEY ONLY EXTENDED MY MONTHLY PAYMENTS SO I COULD REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY NEEDING REPAIRS. I HAD TO GET A USED 92 DODGE TO GO TO WORK IN. I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH FORD AGAIN, THEY ARE NOT FAIR TO THERE CUSTOMERS. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP SOMEONE IN THE FUTURE I HAD TO REFINANCE MY HOME TO PAY FORD MOTOR COMPANY OFF FOR THIS LEMON LINCOLN. *NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 455.1%ODI 10032244CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK | 498.7%ODI 10134493CONSUMER 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 V… | 125.5% | 394.6% | 204.8% | 94.5%ODI 10142678 · 40,000 miTHE DASHBOARD, WHICH WAS ONCE RECALLED, THE RECALL HAS SINCE EXPIRED. IS DELAMINATING OFF THE FOAM , PREVENTING PROPER DEFROSTING OF WINDSHIELD AND HINDERING VIEW OUT OF FRONT WINDOW. THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS RECALLED ON OTHER FORD MODELS FOR EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, FAILS, PREVENTING ACCELERATION ONTO HIGHWAYS. THE WATER PUMP, WHICH IS PLASTIC, DISINTERGRATES IN THE MOTOR.*JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 18.3% | 10.1%ODI 10070549I WAS REAR-ENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BUMPER REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME THAT FORD DISCONTINUED MY BUMPER MODEL, SO THEY REPAIRED IT INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT -- WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! SILVER PLASTIC STRIP THAT RUNS THROUGH CENTER OF BUMPER WAS RE-INSTALLED AS-IS - CRACKED - SINCE BUMPER WAS NOT BEING MADE ANYMORE AND NEW PART WASN'T AVAILABLE. BOTH HORNS WERE REPLACED, IN SPITE OF RARELY BEING USED. RUBBER WINDOW STRIPS LOOSEN, POP UP EASILY. ONE POWER WINDOW IN REAR CAN ONLY GO DOWN ABOUT… | 10.2%ODI 10016232WET/LEAKING TRUNK. ALSO LEAKING FROM TRUNK TO BACK SEAT. CAN'T LOCATE WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. *JB | 10.5% | 20.2%ODI 10069777MY 1998 CONTOUR IS AT 128,225 MILES. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OF AIM AND MOISTURE COLLECTS IN THE HEADLAMP AND WHEN THE MOISTURE DRIES IT LEAVES A FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENS. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS TERRIBLE. I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT EVEN WHEN IT IS A CLEAR NIGHT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. I ALMOST HIT A MAN ON A BICYCLE THE OTHER NIGHT. HE HAD REFLECTORS ON HIS BIKE BUT I DIDN'T SEE HIM TILL I WAS RIGHT UP BEHIND HIM. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS FIXED BECAUSE I C… | 8219.6%ODI 10010192DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGING SYSTEMS HAS POPPED COMPLETELY OUT, THE WARNING BELL FOR THE LIGHTS LEFT ON AND KEY IN IGNITION HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO CONTACTED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (WHO SUPPOSEDLY COVER ME BUMPER TO BUMPER ACCORDING TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM) WHO STATE IF IT IS NOT SAFETY RELATED THEY DON'T COVER IT. I THEN WENT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM AS THE CAR IS A 1999 WITH BARE… | 7336.7%ODI 10009616FORD RECALL 01B78 CONCERNING INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE. *AK CYNTHIA MAYO CALLED 6/6/2003 TO REQUEST A QUESTIONNAIRE TO MAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND TO SEND COPIES OF DOCUMENTS. | 125.0%ODI 10037658 · 36,000 miDASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE STRUCTURE AND LIFTING UPWARDS. THIS IS CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HEAT MOISTURE. *AK |
| Unknown Or Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 212.4%ODI 10069714I'M A HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVER/OWNER OF FORD '95 CONTOUR GL (LOW-INCOMER, AVERAGE $21,000 A YEAR). I'VE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1997 FROM A MINNEAPOLIS-AREA FORD DEALERSHIP (QUALITY AUTO DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA). AT THE TIME, I HAD LESS THAN $10,000 TO PAY FOR A RECENT USED CAR(ONE THAT IS WITHIN 2-3 YEARS AFTER IT CAME ON THE MARKET). I TRIED OUT FEW CARS AND THE WHITE 1995 FORD CONTOUR GL. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT '95 FORD CONTOUR GL WAS A GOOD BUY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. I WAS WILLING TO TRADE UP MY OLD CAR TO REDUCE THE PRICE BUT I… | 285.0%ODI 10025066 · 41,692 miAFTER THE RECALL FOR THE HEAT BLOWER 010I 009 000 WAS COMPLETED. THE DEFECT RE-OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. *NLM | 73.2%ODI 10006962 · 87,000 mi1997 FORD CONTOUR. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*767928 | 333.9%ODI 10042147SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE HAS RESULTED IN CONSUMER PAYING FOR MOST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE ONCE. *NLM | 4611.0%ODI 10003649DASHBOARD IS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLING, OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW OUT OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING.*JB | 2613.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 323.6%ODI 10064073 · 78,000 miTHE CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING OR WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WE CANNOT PREDICT WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK/START. YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS; IT DOES NOT CRANK OR MAKE ANY NOISE AT ALL. IF YOU PARK THE CAR AND GO INSIDE, RETURN AND TRY TO START THE CAR, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES, IF YOU WAIT 20-30 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START UP, BUT YOU CANNOT BE SURE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SCOPED AND VARIOUS REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, AND SINCE THE NON-CRANKING EPIS… | 356.2%ODI 10016135THE 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 | 83.7%ODI 10057363WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON THEY OPERATED PROPERLY BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 10/19/1999. RECALL# 99V103000 SUBJECT: HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS. *NM | 455.3%ODI 10008222THE HEATER WENT OUT IN OUR CAR, SO WE DECIDED TO FIX IT AT HOME. AFTER TAKING OUT THE BAD PART, WE DISCOVERED IT WAS MELTED. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE WEB TO SEE IF YET ANOTHER RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. INDEED IT HAD. WE DON'T REMEMBER BEING NOTIFIED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR. THEY FIXED IT. ONE MONTH LATER, OUR HEATER BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT. WE BELIEVE THIS IS IN DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR THAT WAS MELTED. WE ENDED UP PAYING OUT OF POCKET TO GET A NEW HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, BUT NOT AFTER TRYING TO CON… | 112.6%ODI 10010192DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP FROM THE WINDSHIELD. SINCE THIS HAS STARTED THE VENT FOR THE DEFOGGING SYSTEMS HAS POPPED COMPLETELY OUT, THE WARNING BELL FOR THE LIGHTS LEFT ON AND KEY IN IGNITION HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE RADIO CUTS IN AND OUT. I TOOK IT TO MY AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO CONTACTED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY (WHO SUPPOSEDLY COVER ME BUMPER TO BUMPER ACCORDING TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM) WHO STATE IF IT IS NOT SAFETY RELATED THEY DON'T COVER IT. I THEN WENT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THE PROBLEM AS THE CAR IS A 1999 WITH BARE… | 21.0%ODI 10090810 · 41,650 miON 09/09/2004 THE WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME IN OUR 2000 FORD CONTOUR 2.0 LITER WHEN THE AC AND RADIO SHUT OFF, THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND ELECTRIC WINDOWS OPERATED SLOW. SHE MADE IT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT SET FOR A FEW HOURS. NEXT MORNING SHE MADE ALL BUT 100 FEET OF 1 MILE TO A LOCAL GARAGE, WHO SAID ALT IS PUTTING OUT 12 VOLTS WHEN IT SHOULD BE AT 14, BUT ALT MAY BE OK. THE IDIOT LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL NOT LIGHT UP WHILE STARTING THE CAR. GARAGE THINKS A SHORT TO THE IDIOT DAS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 424.7%ODI 10001478WHILE IN MOTION GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE AND JERK BACK AND FORTH. *JG *JB | 203.6%ODI 10059039HEAD GASKET AND ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR AT 64,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN A PASSING ZONE AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE OVER THE INTERNET, THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH FORD.*AK | 62.8%ODI 552150VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED KNOCKING SOUND, DEALERS CHANGE LEFT BALL JOINT, RIM AND RIGHT WHEEL JOINT, HOWEVER THE SOUND STILL THERE DUE TO PC JOINT FAILURE. YH | 303.5%ODI 10009293THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB | 133.1% | 31.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 687.6%ODI 10004587MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY ARE GETTING SEVERAL VEHICLES WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS BEING COMPROMISED DUE TO HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST. THE HARNESS IS TOO CLOSE TO THE HEAT SIDE OF MOTOR. ALSO, THE WIRE COATING IS NOT MEETING SPECIFICATIONS AND IS CRUMBLING. TS | 152.7%ODI 10025034CONSUMER 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 | 94.1%ODI 10132771ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT, WHEN VEHICLE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD STOP WHEN MAKING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, OR WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM | 131.5%ODI 10040822 · 107,000 miMY CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS IN MOTION AT AROUND 45 MPH. FORTUNATELY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION OFF THE ROADWAY. THE COMPUTER WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, I DROVE AROUND THIRTY MILES AND NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON. RETURNING TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. I REPLACED THAT, AND ABOUT 4 MILES LATER, THE CAR DIED AGAIN, WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD, IN MOTION. THE DEALER MECHANIC SAI… | 61.4%ODI 10172794 · 95,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IN GEAR. A POP NOISE WAS HEARD AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS AND IT WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS PROCESSED.*AK UPDATED 12/11/06. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 242.7%ODI 10016220 · 62,400 miTHE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE STEERING PROBLEM DUE TO A BROKEN SPRING. MECHANIC FOUND ALL FOUR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE MECHANIC STATED ALL FOUR SPRINGS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR A LONG TIME. THE CAR IS ONLY USED ON PAVED ROADS. *JB | 40.7%ODI 10023505 · 78,000 miTHE PARKING BRAKE WOULDN'T RELEASE. WE TOWED THE CAR TO MIDAS. THE INSPECTION IDENTIFIED NORMAL BRAKE WEAR, BUT ALSO SERIOUS FRONT END DEFICIENCIES. THE MANAGER TOLD US BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, CAUSING ONE STRUT TO BEND. HE SAID HAD THE SECOND STRUT BENT OR BROKE, THE CAR BODY WOULD HAVE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE TIRES. HE SAID THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NLM | 41.8%ODI 10049024I BELIEVE ALL 1997 FORD CONTOURS SHOULD BE RECALLED, OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH, WATERPUMP, BLOWER MOTOR, BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS, SWAY BARS, WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT & REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS(BOTH TWICE!!!!), AXLE, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EGR VALVE, COIL SPRINGS, BATTERY, BALLJOINTS, DOOR LATCH, ALMOST ALL OF THE FULL FRONT SUSPENSION!!!! THERE ARE MORE PARTS THAT I HAD REPLACED BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE NAMES OF THE PARTS THERE ARE TOO MANY!! MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, SEAT BELT L… | 728.5%ODI 10009080THE FRONT SPRINGS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER TIRE TO BLOW OUT.*JB *TS | 61.4%ODI 10080318 · 29,000 miWHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, AND VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2000: 62 complaints · 2001: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 | 29 | 62 |
| 2001 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 180 | 17 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | Electrical System:Ignition | Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 885861ENGINE OVERHEATED/ BURNED UP AND FAN NEVER CAME ON. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS RECALL 00S/00M13 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLING FAN.*AK THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY $4922.90 FOR ENGINE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE COOLING FAN WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS ON RECALL AND REPAIR EXPENSE SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. FURTHER MORE, IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING FANS FAILURE WAS IT SELF CAUSED BY A BLOWN UP FUSE. *YH | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 885861ENGINE OVERHEATED/ BURNED UP AND FAN NEVER CAME ON. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS RECALL 00S/00M13 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLING FAN.*AK THE DEALER WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY $4922.90 FOR ENGINE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT THE COOLING FAN WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS ON RECALL AND REPAIR EXPENSE SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. FURTHER MORE, IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING FANS FAILURE WAS IT SELF CAUSED BY A BLOWN UP FUSE. *YH | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.