U.S. public vehicle records

1999 Ford CONTOUR problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

419 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

60,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 137 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 82 of 419 complaints (19.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	53	12.6%
Engine operation	29	6.9%
Electrical and battery issues	22	5.3%
Fuel system concerns	22	5.3%
Transmission and shifting	19	4.5%
Steering behavior	17	4.1%

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.

Structure

Unknown Or Other

Tires

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Air Bags:Frontal

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Structure	82
Unknown Or Other	46
Tires	22
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	20
Air Bags:Frontal	15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	14
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	13
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	13

Structure: 82; Unknown Or Other: 46; Tires: 22; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 20; Air Bags:Frontal: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 7

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 282 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.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2023

1998: 1; 1999: 27; 2000: 52; 2001: 42; 2002: 42; 2003: 62; 2004: 68; 2005: 55; 2006: 20; 2007: 18; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 53 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 29 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 22 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 10016462 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)

1999 FORD CONTOUR W/ 2 LIT. ENGINE AND FACTORY INSTALLED/AUTHORIZED 8" BRAKE SYSTEM. SAFETY HAZARD: POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND/OR FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES. TRYING TO STEER THE CAR THROUGH EVASIVE MANEUVERS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IS CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUDDER EXCESSIVELY. ON APX APRIL 7 I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-71 APX 1 MILE NORTH OF I-270. ACCIDENT APX 1/4 OF A MILE AHEAD FORCED EVERYONE TO SLAM ON BRAKES. CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER EXCESSIVELY. HAD ANOTHER CAR CLOSE ON MY TAIL AND BEGAN TO …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016462 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10018030 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)

WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018030 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007358 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007358 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008244 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)

SOMETHING IN MY WIRING HAS BURNT AND SHORTED OUT WIRES IN MY CAR FROM TRUNK TO UNDER HOOD. CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AS I WRITE AND IS GOING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. A NEW WIRING HARNESS IS BEING ORDERED AND ALL WIRING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE CAR JUST STALLED RIDING DOWN ROAD, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. HAVE BEEN WITHOUT CAR FOR APPROX. 1 WEEK NOW. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008244 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10018441 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BLINKERS WILL NOT WORK, A/C WILL NOT COME ON, LIGHTED SWITCHES ON THE DOORS WILL NOT LIGHT, AND WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. HAVE BEEN TOLD POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS BAD. WAS TOLD BY FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT FORD WILL NOT MAKE ANY RECALLS ON IT.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018441 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022106 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)

THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE FLOATED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE FUEL FLOW METER INSIDE THE FUEL TANK.*AK *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022106 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10024449 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024449 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057952 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)

A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT STRAIN OF 32 AMPS BEING DISCHARGED, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN, AND NOT BEING CHARGED. *AK THE KEY COULD BE TURNED OFF WITH THE IGNITION IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE BUZZER THAT REMINDS THE CONSUMER THAT THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION HAD GONE OFF EVEN WHEN THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057952 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10065040 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ROTATE THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LOCK POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. *AK ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ROLLED WHILE PARKED, BECAUSE THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065040 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10030826 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR. BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DON'T SEEM TO RETRACT AND GET TANGELED AND TWISTED ALL THE TIME. I HAVE MANUALLY ADJUSTED THEM EVERYTIME I DROVE. JUST 5 MONTHS AGO I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME A CONCUSION. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT TO HOLD ME BACK AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOUL…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030826 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

419 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

32.7%Usable mileage137 / 419 records

86.4%Valid incident date362 / 419 records

100.0%Valid filing date419 / 419 records

86.4%Ordered incident and filing dates362 / 419 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	133.3% ODI 490677 NO ACCELERATION DURING FIRST SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. *SD Look up ODI 490677 at NHTSA ↗	216.7% ODI 831572 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 Look up ODI 831572 at NHTSA ↗	637.1% ODI 10003035 · 89,000 mi AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE SECOND GEAR OR OVERDRIVE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 89000 MILES. Look up ODI 10003035 at NHTSA ↗	468.2% ODI 10000682 · 128,000 mi TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER COMPLETE REBUILD. HAVE ALSO HAD TREAD SEPARATION IN TIRES ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS Look up ODI 10000682 at NHTSA ↗	167.3% ODI 10042928 · 97,000 mi CD4E 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… Look up ODI 10042928 at NHTSA ↗	728.5% ODI 10008508 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*JB Look up ODI 10008508 at NHTSA ↗	133.1% ODI 10066613 CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 10066613 at NHTSA ↗	31.5% ODI 10038118 · 40,000 mi DASHBOARD 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 Look up ODI 10038118 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10192430 I 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 Look up ODI 10192430 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	133.3% ODI 721142 I 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. … Look up ODI 721142 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	455.1% ODI 10032244 CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK Look up ODI 10032244 at NHTSA ↗	498.7% ODI 10134493 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 V… Look up ODI 10134493 at NHTSA ↗	125.5% ODI 550229 WHEN WIND BLOW 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WANDERS WHILE DRIVING. YH Look up ODI 550229 at NHTSA ↗	394.6% ODI 539092 OIL FUMES ENTERING INTO VEHICLE. Look up ODI 539092 at NHTSA ↗	204.8% ODI 550204 VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *MJS Look up ODI 550204 at NHTSA ↗	94.5% ODI 10142678 · 40,000 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10142678 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10022203 DASHBOARD HAS STARTED PEALING UP FROM WINDSHIELD. *AK Look up ODI 10022203 at NHTSA ↗	10.1% ODI 10070549 I 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… Look up ODI 10070549 at NHTSA ↗	10.2% ODI 10016232 WET/LEAKING TRUNK. ALSO LEAKING FROM TRUNK TO BACK SEAT. CAN'T LOCATE WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. *JB Look up ODI 10016232 at NHTSA ↗	10.5% ODI 550229 WHEN WIND BLOW 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WANDERS WHILE DRIVING. YH Look up ODI 550229 at NHTSA ↗	20.2% ODI 10069777 MY 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… Look up ODI 10069777 at NHTSA ↗	8219.6% ODI 10010192 DASHBOARD 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… Look up ODI 10010192 at NHTSA ↗	7336.7% ODI 10009616 FORD 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. Look up ODI 10009616 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10037658 · 36,000 mi DASHBOARD 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 Look up ODI 10037658 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	212.4% ODI 10069714 I'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… Look up ODI 10069714 at NHTSA ↗	285.0% ODI 10025066 · 41,692 mi AFTER THE RECALL FOR THE HEAT BLOWER 010I 009 000 WAS COMPLETED. THE DEFECT RE-OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES. *NLM Look up ODI 10025066 at NHTSA ↗	73.2% ODI 10006962 · 87,000 mi 1997 FORD CONTOUR. NLM DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS767928 Look up ODI 10006962 at NHTSA ↗	333.9% ODI 10042147 SEVERAL 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 Look up ODI 10042147 at NHTSA ↗	4611.0% ODI 10003649 DASHBOARD IS COMING UNGLUED AND BUCKLING, OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW OUT OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING.*JB Look up ODI 10003649 at NHTSA ↗	2613.1% ODI 10009168 THE DASHBOARD DETACHED FROM THE GRILL.*JB Look up ODI 10009168 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi THE 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… Look up ODI 10064073 at NHTSA ↗	356.2% ODI 10016135 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 Look up ODI 10016135 at NHTSA ↗	83.7% ODI 10057363 WHEN 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 Look up ODI 10057363 at NHTSA ↗	455.3% ODI 10008222 THE 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… Look up ODI 10008222 at NHTSA ↗	112.6% ODI 10010192 DASHBOARD 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… Look up ODI 10010192 at NHTSA ↗	21.0% ODI 10090810 · 41,650 mi ON 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… Look up ODI 10090810 at NHTSA ↗	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 10001478 WHILE IN MOTION GOING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE AND JERK BACK AND FORTH. JG JB Look up ODI 10001478 at NHTSA ↗	203.6% ODI 10059039 HEAD 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 Look up ODI 10059039 at NHTSA ↗	62.8% ODI 552150 VEHICLE 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 Look up ODI 552150 at NHTSA ↗	303.5% ODI 10009293 THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB Look up ODI 10009293 at NHTSA ↗	133.1% ODI 10007358 THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB Look up ODI 10007358 at NHTSA ↗	31.5% ODI 10017682 THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND LOST POWER. *JB Look up ODI 10017682 at NHTSA ↗	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 10004587 MECHANIC 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 Look up ODI 10004587 at NHTSA ↗	152.7% ODI 10025034 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 Look up ODI 10025034 at NHTSA ↗	94.1% ODI 10132771 ELECTRICAL 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 Look up ODI 10132771 at NHTSA ↗	131.5% ODI 10040822 · 107,000 mi MY 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… Look up ODI 10040822 at NHTSA ↗	61.4% ODI 10172794 · 95,000 mi DT: 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 Look up ODI 10172794 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10016220 at NHTSA ↗	40.7% ODI 10023505 · 78,000 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10023505 at NHTSA ↗	41.8% ODI 10049024 I 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… Look up ODI 10049024 at NHTSA ↗	728.5% ODI 10009080 THE FRONT SPRINGS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER TIRE TO BLOW OUT.JB TS Look up ODI 10009080 at NHTSA ↗	61.4% ODI 10080318 · 29,000 mi WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED, AND VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 10080318 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Structure	37,920–67,500 mi	48,000 mi	27	ODI 10020938 · 50,000 mi 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… Look up ODI 10020938 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10021101 · 24,000 mi DASHBOARD HAS WARPED UPWARD AND RIGID AIR PLASTIC GRIL POPPED OUT OF LOCATION. WARPING HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND IS BEGINNING TO OBSTRUCT LOWER EDGE OF WINDSHIELD AT CENTER OF DASH. DEALER SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT SERVICE BULLETIN AUTHORIZING REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THEY SAY CUSTOMER MUST PAY $1,400 TO REPLACE ENTIRE DAHBOARD TO EFFECT REPAIR. CAR IS 40 MONTHS OLD AND HAS ONLY 28,000 MILES.AK Look up ODI 10021101 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023830 · 17,000 mi INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE - UNSAFE, BLOCKING FORWARD VIEW OF VEHICLE.FORD WILL NOT HONOR RECALL 01B78 BECAUSE IT EXPIRED IN AUGUST OF 2002.THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC ISSUE, AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR IF NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED.AK THE PANEL WAS ALREADY REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRENTY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY. Look up ODI 10023830 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	38,333–76,750 mi	58,323 mi	18	ODI 10008102 · 50,000 mi WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB Look up ODI 10008102 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10021495 · 5,000 mi I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE RECALL FOR THE CONTOUR'S DASH COMING UP DUE TO BAD GLUE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT MY DASH WAS SO BAD IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME ALSO. NOW MY DASH IS COMMING UP JUST LIKE IT DID BEFORE, EVIDENTLY THE DASH THEY REPLACED IT WITH STILL HAD THE DEFECTIVE GLUE IN IT. I CONTACTED FORD EXPLAINING THIS TO THEM AND FINDING OUT THAT THE MAINTENANCE ORDER HAD ENDED LAST YEAR. I TOL… Look up ODI 10021495 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10069149 · 64,645 mi LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAS CAME ON , COOLANT OK SECERAL MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. HOW CAN I GET THE FUSE BOX CHECKED WITHOUT COSTING ALOT. ONLY HAVE 64645 MILES ON CAR. CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS PROBLEMS ALREADY. Look up ODI 10069149 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	Too few reports for a range	94,514 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10012462 · 38,858 mi BOTH PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR TIRES BLEW OUT AT THE SIDEWALL, THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD WAY AND FLIPPED OVER. ONE TIRE BLEW WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AND THE OTHER WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SECOND FAILED TIRE IN THEIR POSSESSION. JB PH Look up ODI 10012462 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10220272 · 150,170 mi TIRE WAS PURCHASED ON 9-03-07 AT WALMART IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH. TODAY IS MARCH 6,2008. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND GET THE FLAT TIRE SHUDDER. JACK UP CAR, PULL OFF TIRE, SLIT MY HAND ON THREADS ON THE INTERIOR. THE PART OF THE TIRE THAT IS CLOSEST TO THE CAR IS COMPLETELY BALD, AND THREADED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF PURCHASE 144,296. MILEAGE TODAY, WHEN TIRE BLEW 150,177. *TR Look up ODI 10220272 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	65,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10056762 · 12,000 mi I OWN A 1999 FORD CONTOUR WITH A HORRIBLY WARPED DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL, ONLY A COURTESY CALL TO COME TO FORD AND HAVE IT FIXED. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY LOCAL DEALER, WHO DID NOT HAVE ANOTHER DASH TO REPLACE. THEY HAD TO ORDER IT. WHEN I CALLED BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT TIME HAD EXPIRED AND THEY SENT THE DASH BACK TO FORD AND THERE WAS NOTHING I CAN DO. THIS WARPED DASH IS DANGEROUS, INTERFERES WITH MY FIELD OF VISION, THE DEFROSTER WON'T WORK PROPERLY AND NOW IS INTERFERING WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I WANT YO… Look up ODI 10056762 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10057239 · 99,000 mi WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. IN RETURN, THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED A BUS. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.AK JB Look up ODI 10057239 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10102198 · 65,000 mi ON DEC. 3, 2004 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE, 1999 FORD CONTOUR, AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, A 1999 FORD PICK-UP. I WAS GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION DOING 30-35MPH WHEN THE TRUCK WENT THROUGH HIS RED LIGHT, PLOWING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, I HIT (T-BONED) HIS TRUCK. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE RAN INTO THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE (HE WAS DOING 30MPH AT THE VERY LEAST). MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD HAVE. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN PARAMEDICS ARRIVED I WAS TH… Look up ODI 10102198 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Too few reports for a range	56,744 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10119640 · 60,000 mi THE ABS ENGAGED CONTINUALLY DUE TO CORROSION IN THE TONE RING APPARATUS. DEALER SAYS IT IS UNUSUAL, AND WILL COST $600. JB Look up ODI 10119640 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10145098 · 53,488 mi DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER'S CAR HAD BRAKING PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES LAGGED ON REACTION TIME IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES.AK Look up ODI 10145098 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10145604 · 51,200 mi I HAVE OBSERVED AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR WHERE THE ABS COMES ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 15 MPH). I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FAILED TO CAUSE THIS CONDITION AND OFFERED TO BRING THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY DECLINED TO HAVE ME DO SO. *NM Look up ODI 10145604 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	49,750 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10008102 · 50,000 mi WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB Look up ODI 10008102 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10058632 · 38,500 mi FORD MOTOR CORP IS AWARE OF A DEFECTIVE VALVE IN IT'S FORD CONTOURS WITH 6 CYL 2.5L ENGINES THAT CAUSES AN OIL OUT AND OVER-PRESSURIZED CONDITION. MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THIS AND MY MECHANIC CONTACTED A FORD SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING A SILENT RECALL, AND EACH CASE WILL BE HANDLED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD AND AFTER KEEPING IT FOR A WEEK THEY DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAD NOT RECEIVED MY OIL CHANGE FROM THEM. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO FORD AND SPENT… Look up ODI 10058632 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10106316 · 49,500 mi THE LOWER TENSIONER ON MY TIMING BELT DISINTEGRATED AT 49,500 MILES, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS THIS NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL AT LEAST 90,000 MILES. THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER TENSIONER CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE UPPER TENSIONER, WHICH NECESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH TENSIONERS AND THE TIMING BELT. I WAS CHARGED $455 FOR THESE REPLACEMENTS, WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING TO WORK AND NOT NOTICED THE NOISE THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND, THE CAR WOULD HAVE COME TO A DEAD STOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND MYSELF AND PROBABLY AT LE… Look up ODI 10106316 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	65,750–73,290 mi	68,079 mi	6	ODI 10101775 · 35,000 mi THE TAIL LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER FOUR REPLACEMENTS. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK IN LOW GEAR, AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. AK THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SPLICE FROM THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OPENED. (THE RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE) THE TAIL LIGHTS, FRONT RUNNING LAMPS WERE OUT AGAIN, A FUSE WAS BAD AND FOUND SOME MORE WIRES IN THE TRUNK WIRED INCORRECTLY, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE LICENSE PLATE TAIL LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THERE WAS A WIRING SHORT IN THE HARNESS IN THE COWL AREA, THERE WAS A BL… Look up ODI 10101775 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10136271 · 65,000 mi 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 LON… Look up ODI 10136271 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10170989 · 68,158 mi WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER AND AFTER A WHILE IT RESPONDED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND FLYWHEEL. NM Look up ODI 10170989 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2000: 62 complaints · 2001: 3 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Structure	Unknown Or Other	Tires	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Air Bags:Frontal	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Structure	—	4 ODI 10010192 DASHBOARD 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… Look up ODI 10010192 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10048706 THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS WARPED. THIS ALLOWED BIG PIECES OF PLASTIC TO FLY THROUGH. SOME OF THE PLASTIC PIECES WERE SHARP AND CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OCCUPANTS. THE DASHBOARD WARPING IS DUE TO THE SUNRAYS AND HEATER BLOWER. *NLM Look up ODI 10048706 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129765 · 40,000 mi I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY DASH BOARD PEELING BACK. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT THEY JUST REGLUED IT. A YEAR LATER IT CAME APART AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AGIN. I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED BUT SINCE I DID HAVE IT FIXED ONCE I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY AND FEEL AS IF THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. Look up ODI 10129765 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10024449 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 Look up ODI 10024449 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10025656 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… Look up ODI 10025656 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10072466 MY FORD CONTOUR ONLY HAS 69000 MILES. ALREADY, BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, DASHBOARD CURLING UP ABOUT 6 INCHES AND DEFROST COVER HAS COME LOOSE BLOCKING VIEW, NOW THE TIMING BELT IS GOING BAD, HAD TO REPLACE TO MOTOR MOUNT. FUEL PUMP ALSO WENT OUT.*AK Look up ODI 10072466 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10142373 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) T… Look up ODI 10142373 at NHTSA ↗	0
Unknown Or Other	4 ODI 10010192 DASHBOARD 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… Look up ODI 10010192 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10048706 THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS WARPED. THIS ALLOWED BIG PIECES OF PLASTIC TO FLY THROUGH. SOME OF THE PLASTIC PIECES WERE SHARP AND CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OCCUPANTS. THE DASHBOARD WARPING IS DUE TO THE SUNRAYS AND HEATER BLOWER. *NLM Look up ODI 10048706 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129765 · 40,000 mi I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY DASH BOARD PEELING BACK. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT THEY JUST REGLUED IT. A YEAR LATER IT CAME APART AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AGIN. I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED BUT SINCE I DID HAVE IT FIXED ONCE I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY AND FEEL AS IF THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. Look up ODI 10129765 at NHTSA ↗	—	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10008102 · 50,000 mi WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB Look up ODI 10008102 at NHTSA ↗	0
Tires	2 ODI 10024449 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 Look up ODI 10024449 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10025656 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… Look up ODI 10025656 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	—	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 844471 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 Look up ODI 844471 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 746237 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-DEA… Look up ODI 746237 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 561480 CONSUMER STATES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN ONLY 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION GIVEN. *SLC Look up ODI 561480 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 550204 VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *MJS Look up ODI 550204 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	0	1 ODI 550204 VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *MJS Look up ODI 550204 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	1 ODI 10072466 MY FORD CONTOUR ONLY HAS 69000 MILES. ALREADY, BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, DASHBOARD CURLING UP ABOUT 6 INCHES AND DEFROST COVER HAS COME LOOSE BLOCKING VIEW, NOW THE TIMING BELT IS GOING BAD, HAD TO REPLACE TO MOTOR MOUNT. FUEL PUMP ALSO WENT OUT.*AK Look up ODI 10072466 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 844471 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 Look up ODI 844471 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 730429 SINCE 12-15-99 I HAD COUGAR IN SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR WATER LEAK/ 2 TIMES SHIFT LOCK ,LOCKED DOWN BECAUSE OF BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REAR BRAKE ELCO NOISE WHEN BACKING UP/ CAR HESITATING AT 50+ MILES AN HOUR /PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN PASSING AND GIVING THE CAR MORE ACCELERATION/CAR IDLING REAL HIGH AND WANTING TO TAKE OFF WHEN YOU FIRST RELEASE THE BRAKE/ THE WINDOWS NOT GOING UP AND DOWN / THE BATTERY EXPLODED/ THE SERVICE WAS TERRIBLE AT GATEWAY THE NOISE IS STILL IN THE REAR WHEELS . THERE IS MORE WHERE THIS CAME FROM THE COUGAR… Look up ODI 730429 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	1 ODI 10142373 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) T… Look up ODI 10142373 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10008102 · 50,000 mi WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES IT JUST MAKES A WHINING NOISE AND WONT START, THAT HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, ALSO THE DASH BOARD IS COMMING UP.*JB Look up ODI 10008102 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	1 ODI 746237 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-DEA… Look up ODI 746237 at NHTSA ↗	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.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

30 mentions · 7.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (11 usable records).

ODI 10007358

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND DID NOT RESTART.*JB

Look up ODI 10007358 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10008244 · 62,000 mi

Look up ODI 10008244 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10053139 · 57,394 mi

CAR JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST THREE TIMES.

Look up ODI 10053139 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

9 mentions · 2.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 73,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10069149 · 64,645 mi

LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAS CAME ON , COOLANT OK SECERAL MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. HOW CAN I GET THE FUSE BOX CHECKED WITHOUT COSTING ALOT. ONLY HAVE 64645 MILES ON CAR. CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS PROBLEMS ALREADY.

Look up ODI 10069149 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10102802 · 83,000 mi

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF A RECALL THAT OCCURRED IN 2001 ON 1995-1999 FORD CONTOURS, MERCURY MYSTIQUES, AND COUGARS. THE DASHBOARD IN MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR IS TEARING AND A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK THE RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE. INSTEAD I FOUND OTHER DISTURBING INFORMATION. ACCORDING TO A REPORT LISTED, THE BLOWER SWITCH / RESISTOR OVERHEATS AND STARTS OR COULD START A FIRE. IT ALSO STATES THAT "FAILURE OF THE BLOWER SWITCH CAUSES LOSS OF ONE OR MORE BLOWER SPEEDS". HOWEVER, I WA…

Look up ODI 10102802 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10116231

1999 FORD CONTOUR, CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, CAR JERKING/STALLING, TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DELAERSHIP (KEY SCALES FORD, LESSBURG, FLORIDA), THEY KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, CHARGED OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $165 TO REPLECE SPARK PLUGS (SERVICE DECLINED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED BY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $50), "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STILL ON, CAR STILL JERKING/STALLING. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR OUT OF IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGE…

Look up ODI 10116231 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

8 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 59,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10008276 · 50,000 mi

WHILE WEARING MY SEAT BELT WHICH I ALWAYS CHECK TO BE SURE IT IS FASTENED I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. I HIT THE LEFT BARRIER AND JERKED THE WHEEL. THAT IS ALL I REMEMBER. WHEN I WOKE UP THE CAR WAS UPSIDE DOWN AND I WAS LAYING ON THE ROOF ON MY STOMACH FACING FORWARD. THE SEAT BELT CAME UNBUCKLED AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT APPEARS I WAS THROWN INTO THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT AS IT WAS BROKEN. I AM UPSET THE BELT CAME UNBUCKLED. THE CAR WAS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE. I HAD NO BUCKLE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. *JB

Look up ODI 10008276 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10010654

THE VEHICLE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY IN A YEAR, THE VEHICLE HAD 5 NEW FUEL PUMPS PUT ON WITHIN A 8 MONTH PERIOD, TOWED 3 TIMES AND PERIODICALLY JERKS AND DIES . THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10010654 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10078763 · 68,000 mi

VEHICLE HESITATES AND JERKS VIOLENTLY ON ACCELERATION, FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL.DASHBOARD CURLED UP IN FRONT BY WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING VIEW AND POPPED OUT VENT TRIM. DEALER WOULN'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THE RECALL ON IT HAD EXPIRED. HAD TO TRY TO GLUE IT DOWN OURSELF.*AK

Look up ODI 10078763 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 105,600 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10145604 · 51,200 mi

I HAVE OBSERVED AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR WHERE THE ABS COMES ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 15 MPH). I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FAILED TO CAUSE THIS CONDITION AND OFFERED TO BRING THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY DECLINED TO HAVE ME DO SO. *NM

Look up ODI 10145604 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10270171 · 160,000 mi

REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON 99 FORD CONTOUR SE CONTACTED DUTRO FORD ZANESVILE OHIO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. *TR

Look up ODI 10270171 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 752090

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 TH…

Look up ODI 752090 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 862630

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING 70MPH, EXITED OFF THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN TO BRAKE WHEN ENGINE CUT OFF. ALSO, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN. ENGINE TURNED BACK ON, AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 862630 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 873587

WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH A SMALL AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER AT LOW SPEED, ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING CORRECTLY. *AK

Look up ODI 873587 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10144888

RECALL 00V350000: FUEL GROMMET LEAKAGE IS FOR BI-FUEL CARS (CONTOURS) AND MY VEHICLE WAS AT THE MECHANICS AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT A BI-FUEL VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS HAVE MY VEHICLE WORKED ON I ASKED TO CHECK THE FUEL BECAUSE AS I STORE MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FOR THE WINTER I NOTICED A GASOLINE SMELL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL AND I CONTACTED 2 FORD DEALERS AND FORD ITSELF AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL. THE IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS THE…

Look up ODI 10144888 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b