U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Ford CONTOUR: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

846 owner complaints analyzed

9 distinct recall campaigns

85,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 161 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 72 of 846 complaints (8.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	100	11.8%
Transmission and shifting	74	8.7%
Electrical and battery issues	65	7.7%
Engine operation	45	5.3%
Steering behavior	38	4.5%
Fuel system concerns	30	3.5%

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.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Air Bags

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Unknown Or Other

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

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	72
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs	72
Air Bags	50
Electrical System	45
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	39
Unknown Or Other	33
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	31
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	30

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 72; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 72; Air Bags: 50; Electrical System: 45; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 39; Unknown Or Other: 33; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 31; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 30

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: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 51; 100,000 to 149,999: 38; 150,000 and above: 10

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 685 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.

1997

1998

1999

165

2000

144

2001

143

2002

102

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2018

2024

1997: 4; 1998: 50; 1999: 165; 2000: 144; 2001: 143; 2002: 102; 2003: 65; 2004: 52; 2005: 38; 2006: 23; 2007: 16; 2008: 10; 2009: 8; 2010: 9; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2018: 2; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 100 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 74 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 65 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10001915 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OCTOBER 2002. DEALER STATES PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001915 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004329 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLES ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LOSS OF SPEED AND ACCELERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 48,619 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004329 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004468 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD LIGHT SWITCH BEING INOPERABLE (CONNECTOR WAS BURNED CAUSING NO FUNCTION TO THE TAIL LIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004468 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008222 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008222 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008508 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008508 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008554 · 2002-11-15 (November 15, 2002)

VEHICLE OPERATOR NOTICED ODOR OF NATURAL GAS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO FRAMINGHAM FORD VIA FLAT BED DETERMINATION FUEL TANK LEAKING. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY, EXPIRES MAY 2003. FORD DENIES COVERAGE. THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY HAZARD.----- DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-----------------769739. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 41,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008554 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009080 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)

THE FRONT SPRINGS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER TIRE TO BLOW OUT.*JB *TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009080 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009293 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009293 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components

Reported: 2000-03-09 (March 9, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly

Reported: 2000-10-30 (October 30, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

01V230000 · Electrical System

Reported: 2001-07-09 (July 9, 2001)

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

01V255000 · Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Reported: 2001-08-08 (August 8, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Reported: 1998-02-10 (February 10, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

98V233000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift

Reported: 1998-09-18 (September 18, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

Reported: 1999-05-05 (May 5, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 1999-07-20 (July 20, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

99V243000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

Reported: 1999-09-08 (September 8, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

846 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

19.0%Usable mileage161 / 846 records

78.3%Valid incident date662 / 846 records

100.0%Valid filing date846 / 846 records

78.0%Ordered incident and filing dates660 / 846 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
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	66,000–105,250 mi	85,109 mi	16	ODI 10016619 · 54,000 mi VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JERKS WHEN SHIFTING, SOMETIME VERY VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE HAS ALSO STALLED WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. VIBRATES OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS (30 MPH), AS THOUGH IT'S IN TOO HIGH OF A GEAR FOR THE TERRAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN GOES OFF FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE COMING BACK ON AGAIN. I'VE GOTTEN TWO ESTIMATES FOR THE REPAIR, BOTH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $2,500 FOR A REBUILD OF MY TRANSMISSION OR INSTALLATION OF A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE COOLANT SEN… Look up ODI 10016619 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10021182 · 75,500 mi 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE 4CYL VIN [XXX] - 4SPEED TRANSMISSION. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION MADE SUDDEN, ERRATIC, JERKY SHIFTS ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND LOSING CONTROL AND LEAVING THE ROAD AND FINALLY STOPPING IN A FIELD. I HAD TO TOW HER OUT. THE CAR NOW DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, BUT DOES HAS REVERSE. FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE NET HAS REVEALED OTHER FORD/MAZDA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURES. I AM SURPRISED THE NHTSA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS. AK … Look up ODI 10021182 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10033426 · 121,600 mi AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2001 (SEE ODI # 759046 SUBMITTED 3/02). TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND REMAINED IN SERVICE UNTIL 2003. IN JUNE 2003, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS AND WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE. TRANSMISSION WAS DEEMED "UNREBUILDABLE" AND REPLACED WITH NEW FORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.AK Look up ODI 10033426 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs	65,100–96,000 mi	81,320 mi	29	ODI 10011969 · 145,000 mi THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. NLM Look up ODI 10011969 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023661 · 77,490 mi LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING A TIRE THAT WAS ONLY A YEAR OLD, WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. A RECALL HAD BEEN DONE ON VEHICLE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO TO PREVENT THIS. APPARENTLY IT DIDN'T WORK. HAD I BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE I'M SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. ESPECIALLY, HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AS 50% OF MY DRIVING IS. I OFTEN HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME AND IT IS QUITE FRIGHTENING TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. JB Look up ODI 10023661 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10051861 · 90,000 mi THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND SUSPECTED THAT ONE OF THE COIL SPRINGS WAS BROKEN. BUT WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, HE WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER HUSBAND KEPT HEARING A THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. AK SHORTLY AFTER, TWO TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RECAL#'S 01I013000 AND 01V255000. SC *JB Look up ODI 10051861 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	88,359–102,000 mi	95,463 mi	5	ODI 10011479 · 88,359 mi THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 99V-234. THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS COMPONENT PER THE RECALL NOTICE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER TO THE CONSUMER. PH NLM Look up ODI 10011479 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10071143 · 95,463 mi I WAS REAR ENDED INTO ANOTHER CAR ON OCT.29 2002 AND NIETHER THE AIR BAG WORKED AS WELL AS THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. I HAD HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES AT THAT TIME. I DID'T QUESTION THESE THINGS NOT WORKING BECAUSE I WAS NOT HIT HARD. OCT. 27,2003 I WAS INVOLVED IN THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF ACCIDENT ONLY THIS TIME I WAS HIT HARD FROM BEHIND AND HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME HARD. AGAIN NOTHING WORKED AND THIS TIME THE POLICE EVEN QUESTIONED THE AIR BAG. AGAIN I HAVE INJURIES TO MY FACE, HEAD, NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK BUT TO WHAT EXTENT I DO NOT KNO… Look up ODI 10071143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10111402 · 35,000 mi THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE. TT Look up ODI 10111402 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	71,500–135,038 mi	93,000 mi	28	ODI 10037076 · 18,000 mi CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. AK Look up ODI 10037076 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10057576 · 80,500 mi THE VEHICLE'S BLOWER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. NM Look up ODI 10057576 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10065523 · 93,000 mi INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUN… Look up ODI 10065523 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	190,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10082112 · 190,000 mi RECALL NO.#99S23, AIRBAG SENSOR MODULE: RECALL NO.#01F22, HEATER BLOWER RESISTER: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY THE HEATER WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED. THE HEATER WILL ALSO BLOW OUT A FOUL ODOR SIMILAR TO SULFUR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE BUT, THE CONSUMER'S IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. *NM Look up ODI 10082112 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Too few reports for a range	83,205 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10086659 · 118,410 mi BRAKE FAILURE. ON A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT (~118,440 MILES), THE BOLT ATTACHING THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RESULTED IN A SINGLE POINT FAILURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. JB WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON US 301, JUST SOUTH OF LAPLATA, MD, I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR FELT AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING APEARED IN THE ROAD (FROM THE MIRRORS). LATER WHEN SLOWING WHILE APPROACHING AA TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I HAD NO BRAKES. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ABLE TO GEAR DOWN AND USE WHAT LITTLE BRAKES REMAINED TO STOP THE CAR AND CRAWL IT TO A PARK… Look up ODI 10086659 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10094947 · 48,000 mi THE BLOWER AND ABS SYSTEM WERE DEFECTIVE. THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AFTER INSPECTION WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VEHICLES THROUGH 1997. AK Look up ODI 10094947 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	70,250–94,200 mi	82,000 mi	6	ODI 10024672 · 70,000 mi CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.AK THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT OCCURRED A LOT AT IDLE OR WHILE COASTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. DEALER CONFUSED. PH JB Look up ODI 10024672 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043985 · 71,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIRTEEN RECALLS SINCE OWNERSHIP BY THE CONSUMER. AK LA JB Look up ODI 10043985 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10065523 · 93,000 mi INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUN… Look up ODI 10065523 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs	Air Bags	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Unknown Or Other	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	0	1 ODI 559301 INTERMITTENT RATTLE IN STEERING WHEEL NEAR AIR BAG, DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND FOUND NO CASE, HOWEVER, THE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED AS PER RECALL 99V-243, ON 9/16/00 AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, NO RECORD OF CODE FOUND IN SYSTEM, ON 11/11/00 AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN, APPARENTLY, RH CRASH SENSOR NOT MOUNTED, BRACKET RUSTY AND BROKEN, BOLT BROKEN, REPAIRS MADE. CJ AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE, DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2001 AND STILL FOUND NO PROBLEMS, CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH A DEA… Look up ODI 559301 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10037076 · 18,000 mi CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. *AK Look up ODI 10037076 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 728526 I WAS IN TRANSIT TO REPLACE MY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR NOW STALLS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THESE ISSUES, AMONGST A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR FAILURES HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS LEMON ( COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, ETC.). NEITHER THE FORD MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIPS HAVE RESPONDED, AGREED OR OFFERED ANY INVESTIGATION, CORRE… Look up ODI 728526 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 835668 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE DIED OUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, THERE IS SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER AND OVER AND THE TRANMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BUT DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 835668 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 8010314 WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE.AK Look up ODI 8010314 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 867621 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY. VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE BEYOND 30 MPH IN FIRST GEAR. THEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN SECOND GEAR IT GOES UP TO 70MPH. AK Look up ODI 867621 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	4 ODI 10263740 · 150,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE DID NOT KNOW THE BOLTS WERE MISSING AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD HAVE THEM ORDERED. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. Look up ODI 10263740 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 548798 OIL PAN GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. MJS Look up ODI 548798 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	1 ODI 559301 INTERMITTENT RATTLE IN STEERING WHEEL NEAR AIR BAG, DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND FOUND NO CASE, HOWEVER, THE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS REPLACED AS PER RECALL 99V-243, ON 9/16/00 AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, NO RECORD OF CODE FOUND IN SYSTEM, ON 11/11/00 AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN, APPARENTLY, RH CRASH SENSOR NOT MOUNTED, BRACKET RUSTY AND BROKEN, BOLT BROKEN, REPAIRS MADE. CJ AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE, DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2001 AND STILL FOUND NO PROBLEMS, CONSUMER HAS ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH A DEA… Look up ODI 559301 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	2 ODI 10111402 · 35,000 mi THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TT Look up ODI 10111402 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10396745 · 135,000 mi MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS THREE SAFETY RECALLS. HOWEVER, I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME GETTING FORD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLS ARE: (A) 01S22 - HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR, (B) 99S14 - HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND (C) 99S23 - FRONT CRASH SENSORS. PRESENTLY MY AIRBAGS ARE OFFLINE AND OFFER NO CRASH PROTECTION. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED (BASICALLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR - THE SELLER DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED TO ME). THE BLOWER STOP… Look up ODI 10396745 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 552024 THE PCRV IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY HAVE FAILED PER RECALL NOTICE 00V-075 PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORN, JUMPED A DITCH AND LANDED ON FRONT BUMPER. NO DELPOYMENT OF AIR BAG OCCURED DURING ACCIDENT. NLM Look up ODI 552024 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 8011497 WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. MINUTES LATER, LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.AK CONSUMER ADDS WITH FULL TANK OF GAS, FUEL LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. TT Look up ODI 8011497 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 831581 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT GIVING ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY ARE HARD AND FOOT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACED THE AIR BAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIERE WASN'T ANY AIR IN THE AIR BAG. *AK Look up ODI 831581 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 714896 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD LFICKER ON AND OFF BUT NOW STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKE. HEATER FAN STOPED WORKING REPLACED IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM, THE PIGTAIL CONNECTING TO A REGULATOR BOX HAD SHORTED OUT AND MELTED. FORD PLACE SAID THE WHOLE PIGTAIL WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED COST ABOUT $400.00 TO REPLACE DIDN'T HAVE IT DONE.AK Look up ODI 714896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 898923 ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT HAVE ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR CAMPAIGN 99V243000 PREVIOUSLY, CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW DATE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.AK Look up ODI 898923 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 10037076 · 18,000 mi CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. *AK Look up ODI 10037076 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10111402 · 35,000 mi THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TT Look up ODI 10111402 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10396745 · 135,000 mi MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS THREE SAFETY RECALLS. HOWEVER, I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME GETTING FORD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLS ARE: (A) 01S22 - HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR, (B) 99S14 - HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND (C) 99S23 - FRONT CRASH SENSORS. PRESENTLY MY AIRBAGS ARE OFFLINE AND OFFER NO CRASH PROTECTION. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED (BASICALLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR - THE SELLER DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED TO ME). THE BLOWER STOP… Look up ODI 10396745 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 719290 WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM CHICAGO ON I55, THE WATER PUMP (WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED) WENT OUT. WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE ONLY INDICATION THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG WAS A WHINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHICH STOPPED AFTER A SHORT INTERVAL. WITHIN AN HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS DESTROYED. A NEW ENGINE, WATER PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THAT IS STILL BEING DONE, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK WITHOUT CHARGE, AND HAVE GIVEN ME A … Look up ODI 719290 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10209371 I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND WITHIN A 1 YEAR REMAINDER OF A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL DEFECTS AND NHTSA RECALLS THAT ARE STILL IN EFFECT FOR THIS CAR MODEL YEAR. ONE OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS PERFORMED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER DONE TO MY SATISFACTION AND IT DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AS EXPECTED FOR THE RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO KEEP DRIVING IT AFTER WHAT I HAVE READ. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS … Look up ODI 10209371 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10065523 · 93,000 mi INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUN… Look up ODI 10065523 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	4 ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 728526 I WAS IN TRANSIT TO REPLACE MY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR NOW STALLS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THESE ISSUES, AMONGST A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR FAILURES HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS LEMON ( COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, ETC.). NEITHER THE FORD MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIPS HAVE RESPONDED, AGREED OR OFFERED ANY INVESTIGATION, CORRE… Look up ODI 728526 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 835668 WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE DIED OUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, THERE IS SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER AND OVER AND THE TRANMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BUT DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 835668 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 552024 THE PCRV IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY HAVE FAILED PER RECALL NOTICE 00V-075 PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORN, JUMPED A DITCH AND LANDED ON FRONT BUMPER. NO DELPOYMENT OF AIR BAG OCCURED DURING ACCIDENT. NLM Look up ODI 552024 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 8011497 WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. MINUTES LATER, LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.AK CONSUMER ADDS WITH FULL TANK OF GAS, FUEL LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. TT Look up ODI 8011497 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 831581 WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT GIVING ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY ARE HARD AND FOOT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACED THE AIR BAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIERE WASN'T ANY AIR IN THE AIR BAG. *AK Look up ODI 831581 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 719290 WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM CHICAGO ON I55, THE WATER PUMP (WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED) WENT OUT. WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE ONLY INDICATION THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG WAS A WHINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHICH STOPPED AFTER A SHORT INTERVAL. WITHIN AN HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS DESTROYED. A NEW ENGINE, WATER PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THAT IS STILL BEING DONE, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK WITHOUT CHARGE, AND HAVE GIVEN ME A … Look up ODI 719290 at NHTSA ↗	—	3 ODI 831269 THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. ENGINE IS VERY LOUD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. AK Look up ODI 831269 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 854796 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STALLED OUT. NOTICED A REFLECTION OF FLAMES ON THE GROUND. LIFTED HOOD OF VEHICLE & NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER PUT FLAMES OUT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS JUST REPLACED, TWICE, PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS NO WARNING. AK Look up ODI 854796 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 894952 VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS FIXED SO CONSUMER WOULD SEE THE WARNING SIGN. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT CURRENTLY AN ONGOING ISSUE. ENGINE NEEDS A VCT SOLENOID REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.*AK Look up ODI 894952 at NHTSA ↗	0	3 ODI 543551 VALVE ROCKER ARM COVE FAILED. Look up ODI 543551 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 758181 MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN 8/26 DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR CORRECTLY AND THEN MY ENGINE BLEW UP BEFORE I LEFT TOWN. THEY REPALCED ENGINE AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS AGAIN. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH ALL THESE ISSUES AND THE SERVICE I HAVE REC. MIRACLE FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ME FOR ITEMS THEY PROMISED, NOR HAVE THEY SENT ME INFORMATION I REQUESTED SINCE SEPTEMBER. HOW CAN A CAR KEEP HAVING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. I HAVE RECORDS OF TAKING MY CAR IN FROM THE BEGINNING WITH THE SAME ISS… Look up ODI 758181 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	2 ODI 8010314 WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE.AK Look up ODI 8010314 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 867621 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY. VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE BEYOND 30 MPH IN FIRST GEAR. THEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN SECOND GEAR IT GOES UP TO 70MPH. AK Look up ODI 867621 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 714896 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD LFICKER ON AND OFF BUT NOW STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT NO ONE CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKE. HEATER FAN STOPED WORKING REPLACED IT WASN'T THE PROBLEM, THE PIGTAIL CONNECTING TO A REGULATOR BOX HAD SHORTED OUT AND MELTED. FORD PLACE SAID THE WHOLE PIGTAIL WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED COST ABOUT $400.00 TO REPLACE DIDN'T HAVE IT DONE.AK Look up ODI 714896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 898923 ENGINE LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT HAVE ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR CAMPAIGN 99V243000 PREVIOUSLY, CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW DATE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.AK Look up ODI 898923 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10209371 I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND WITHIN A 1 YEAR REMAINDER OF A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL DEFECTS AND NHTSA RECALLS THAT ARE STILL IN EFFECT FOR THIS CAR MODEL YEAR. ONE OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS PERFORMED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER DONE TO MY SATISFACTION AND IT DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AS EXPECTED FOR THE RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO KEEP DRIVING IT AFTER WHAT I HAVE READ. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS … Look up ODI 10209371 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 831269 THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. ENGINE IS VERY LOUD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. AK Look up ODI 831269 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 854796 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STALLED OUT. NOTICED A REFLECTION OF FLAMES ON THE GROUND. LIFTED HOOD OF VEHICLE & NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER PUT FLAMES OUT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS JUST REPLACED, TWICE, PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS NO WARNING. AK Look up ODI 854796 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 894952 VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS FIXED SO CONSUMER WOULD SEE THE WARNING SIGN. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT CURRENTLY AN ONGOING ISSUE. ENGINE NEEDS A VCT SOLENOID REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.*AK Look up ODI 894952 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 8001657 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON DASH,AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BREAKS WERE FINE NOW SINCE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE VALVE. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD NO 3RD SPEED DUE TO BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH FAILURE. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE TAKES FUEL VERY SLOW DUE TO FUEL PIPE FLAPPER VALVE FAILURE. YH Look up ODI 8001657 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 732821 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT REPLACED. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY HAD THE REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED. JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT REPAIR THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND FOUND THAT IT WAS AT THE PROPER LEVEL.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NOW I HAVE APPEALED TO FORD MOTER CO. TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THEIR COST. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN UNDER WARRANTY BUT ONLY MANIFESTED ITSELF 3 WEEKS AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. Look up ODI 732821 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	1 ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 891622 TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT, THERE IS A SLIP WHEN YOU APPLYING GEARS. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND GRABS A LITTLE BIT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES HAVE FAILED, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER ALMOST HIT A CHILD, BRAKE PEDAL SLIPS FROM UNDER FOOT. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY CHANGES GEARS ROUGHLY, AT TIMES JARRING OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: LIGHT OF THE CLOCK HAS BURNED OUT TWICE, CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SHORTS IN THE… Look up ODI 891622 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 8001657 ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON DASH,AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BREAKS WERE FINE NOW SINCE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE VALVE. THE BLOWER MOTOR HAD NO 3RD SPEED DUE TO BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH FAILURE. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE TAKES FUEL VERY SLOW DUE TO FUEL PIPE FLAPPER VALVE FAILURE. YH Look up ODI 8001657 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4 ODI 10263740 · 150,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE DID NOT KNOW THE BOLTS WERE MISSING AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD HAVE THEM ORDERED. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. Look up ODI 10263740 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 548798 OIL PAN GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. MJS Look up ODI 548798 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10065523 · 93,000 mi INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUN… Look up ODI 10065523 at NHTSA ↗	3 ODI 543551 VALVE ROCKER ARM COVE FAILED. Look up ODI 543551 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 557054 VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM Look up ODI 557054 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 758181 MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN 8/26 DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR CORRECTLY AND THEN MY ENGINE BLEW UP BEFORE I LEFT TOWN. THEY REPALCED ENGINE AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS AGAIN. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH ALL THESE ISSUES AND THE SERVICE I HAVE REC. MIRACLE FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ME FOR ITEMS THEY PROMISED, NOR HAVE THEY SENT ME INFORMATION I REQUESTED SINCE SEPTEMBER. HOW CAN A CAR KEEP HAVING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. I HAVE RECORDS OF TAKING MY CAR IN FROM THE BEGINNING WITH THE SAME ISS… Look up ODI 758181 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 732821 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT REPLACED. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY HAD THE REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED. JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT REPAIR THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND FOUND THAT IT WAS AT THE PROPER LEVEL.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NOW I HAVE APPEALED TO FORD MOTER CO. TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THEIR COST. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN UNDER WARRANTY BUT ONLY MANIFESTED ITSELF 3 WEEKS AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. Look up ODI 732821 at NHTSA ↗	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

7 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

48 mentions · 5.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 71,000 mi (13 usable records).

ODI 10009293

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

Look up ODI 10009293 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10016619 · 54,000 mi

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JERKS WHEN SHIFTING, SOMETIME VERY VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE HAS ALSO STALLED WHEN NEGOTIATING A TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. VIBRATES OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS (30 MPH), AS THOUGH IT'S IN TOO HIGH OF A GEAR FOR THE TERRAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY, USUALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN GOES OFF FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE COMING BACK ON AGAIN. I'VE GOTTEN TWO ESTIMATES FOR THE REPAIR, BOTH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $2,500 FOR A REBUILD OF MY TRANSMISSION OR INSTALLATION OF A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE COOLANT SEN…

Look up ODI 10016619 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10024672 · 70,000 mi

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT OCCURRED A LOT AT IDLE OR WHILE COASTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. DEALER CONFUSED. *PH *JB

Look up ODI 10024672 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

41 mentions · 4.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 89,714 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10001915

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE OCTOBER 2002. DEALER STATES PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Look up ODI 10001915 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10012033

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM

Look up ODI 10012033 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10016619 · 54,000 mi

Look up ODI 10016619 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

15 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,950 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10016619 · 54,000 mi

Look up ODI 10016619 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10021182 · 75,500 mi

1998 FORD CONTOUR SE 4CYL VIN [XXX] - 4SPEED TRANSMISSION. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION MADE SUDDEN, ERRATIC, JERKY SHIFTS ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND LOSING CONTROL AND LEAVING THE ROAD AND FINALLY STOPPING IN A FIELD. I HAD TO TOW HER OUT. THE CAR NOW DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD, BUT DOES HAS REVERSE. FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE NET HAS REVEALED OTHER FORD/MAZDA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURES. I AM SURPRISED THE NHTSA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *AK …

Look up ODI 10021182 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10064527

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING. *NM

Look up ODI 10064527 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

14 mentions · 1.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 114,205 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10086659 · 118,410 mi

BRAKE FAILURE. ON A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT (~118,440 MILES), THE BOLT ATTACHING THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RESULTED IN A SINGLE POINT FAILURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON US 301, JUST SOUTH OF LAPLATA, MD, I HEARD A POP AND THE CAR FELT AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING APEARED IN THE ROAD (FROM THE MIRRORS). LATER WHEN SLOWING WHILE APPROACHING AA TRAFFIC SIGNAL, I HAD NO BRAKES. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ABLE TO GEAR DOWN AND USE WHAT LITTLE BRAKES REMAINED TO STOP THE CAR AND CRAWL IT TO A PARK…

Look up ODI 10086659 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10094566 · 140,000 mi

WHENEVER FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FOR STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS. CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

Look up ODI 10094566 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10127011 · 50,000 mi

DT: VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CALLER SAID BRAKES DID NOT WORK VERY WELL WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME. DEALER SAID THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR BROKE ,AND REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT . MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.*AK

Look up ODI 10127011 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

14 mentions · 1.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 52,839 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10138164 · 52,839 mi

DT: WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CONSUMER COULD NOT MAKE A RIGHT TURN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING RACK BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, DID A POWER STEERING FLUSH. *AK *NM

Look up ODI 10138164 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 566887

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *SLC

Look up ODI 566887 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 708425

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 6+ TIMES OVER THE DURATION OF OWNERSHIP , CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN , STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND ALL POWER FAILS. HAPPENS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS . TOLD THAT FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT NO PROTOCOL TO FIX THE PROBLEM . DEALER CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW CAUSE OF PROBLEM AS TOLD BY FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT

Look up ODI 708425 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Fuel smell or leak mentions

6 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10014283 · 70,000 mi

CAR IS 5.5 YEARS OLD, AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACING. THE TANK WAS LITERALLY FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS, LEADING TO GAS LEAKING FROM THE GAR AND GASOLINE FUMES THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE. IN ADDITION, NO REPLACEMENT PART WAS AVAILABLE DUE TO A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE. *JB

Look up ODI 10014283 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10025941

FUEL LEAKING FROM TANK BECAUSE THE NECK WARPED. FORD MOTOR CO. SAYS IT WILL NOT COMPENSATE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

Look up ODI 10025941 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 548572

GAS LEAK DUE TO FAILURE OF THE LINE. MJS

Look up ODI 548572 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 0.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 135,150 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10169842 · 135,150 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE HARNESS, COOLING FAN HARNESS, AND POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Look up ODI 10169842 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8005588

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND CONSUMER FOUND OUT BY TRYING TO START VEHICLE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK

Look up ODI 8005588 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8016842

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VHEICLE WAS TOWED TO GARAGE AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT FLYWHEEL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Look up ODI 8016842 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule