This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while parked, a burning odor began to emit from the vents. In addition, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics, where the mechanic stated that the insulation on the wiring harness melted. The mechanic replaced the thermostat, radiator, oxygen sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter. The failure continued. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 00V367000 (engine and engine cooling) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 2/23/12
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Contour. The contact's vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 00V367000(engine and engine cooling) in 2004. Five years later, the fan motors have overheated and caused the electrical components to melt. The dealer and manufacturer stated that they would not assume responsibility for any repairs because the vehicle was previously repaired according to the recall. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,109. Updated 07/28/09 updated 07/30/09.
My car has continually to run hot, the part that sends the information the engine for the fan to come on was defective. I took my car to the dealership to try to purchase the part and the dealership told me that this part was a recall part. By this part being defective it has damaged my engine and the dealership told me that my car was over the miles and the recall date was over and they was not going to honor the recall. They told me that I can purchase the part, but they was not going to replace my engine. This part has damaged my engine and they should not only replaced the defective part with not charge, but they should also replace my engine due the defective part. The dealership service center stated that they were only following Ford Motor Company guidelines.
I bought the car from my sister she sold it to me because when it rains, run over a puddle or the water is up some the car starts sputtering -if the rain is heavy the brakes lock as well as the steering wheel. She has taken it to several mechanics, they say they can't fix 1995 Contour--has it been recalled--or is there a possible way to fix this??
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 6 inches, squeaking terribly as it moves down; too expensive to fix. Outer gas door release sticks. Both methods of opening the door (floor lever and trunk strap) stopped working this year. Paid for repair at dealership, but both methods stopped working again after a few days. I now have to open up my trunk every time I go to the gas station, pull the release strap and rap lightly on the outer door in order for it to pop open. I am scheduled for a new repair in a few days at the dealership for rough idle and stalling. Problem involves mass air flow sensor and/or PCM, and is detailed in tsb article no. 98-20-7. had contacts cleaned on radiator tank and driver's door panel (beeping signal for when door opens and key is left in ignition stopped working). Had complete tune-up at dealership this summer, with mileage at only 40,000. Driver's side speaker wire has loosened, with sound drifting in and out depending on bumps hit on the road. Driver's door lock collapsed inside keyhole. Lock cylinders are only available in sets of five, so all five of my lock cylinders had to be replaced by dealership. Replacement cylinder on my glove compartment vibrates too much while driving. Reverse lights stopped working. Wiring had to be repaired. Paint is thin and scratches easily, even from non-abrasive contact. Driver's window opens all the way, sliding down at a quick speed. Very indifferent treatment by dealership.
- Warren, MI, USA
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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 it was still too high for me since it didn't included other fees like the title and registration license. After a short, persuasive negotiation, I got the dealer to agree to mark down to $9995 and I accepted that. So I bought the car. After a few days, I was experiencing a problem with it, so I had it towed back to the dealership and later told me that the whole engine was bad and need to be replaced. I was stunned but they were willing to do the repair for free. It took me a week to get my car back. Everything went fairly fine for the next couple years. In 1999, the air-conditioner in my car stopped working and it was too expensive to repair at the time. I moved to columbus, oh in Jan. 2000. For the last 3 years, that car has become a trouble for me. One repair after the next. The biggest repair cost I've paid out was $2060.43 to replace a flywheel. I have tried to take good care of my car by taking it to jiffy lube for oil/check-ups every 3-6 months faithfully and I'm still having trouble with my car. Right now, it is at another Ford service because there may be defected wiring coils in my car (a dealer recall that I'm not aware of). I have kept all the service maintenance papers in file for all the repairs and services on my car. I wanted a new car and I'm not very happy. I'm tired of paying for the repairs. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The car has always run hot and I have had the compressor fixed and a month later I know have a burnt out blower motor that seems to be a common problem. I never was notified about the recall and than was told I missed the cut off date to file for a repair, bottom line I wasnt covered. I also brought my car in a day before my warranty was up and they didnt honor it, I was told it was too late.
Consumer stated didn't receive a recall letter, and manufacturer stated consumer's vehicle was over 100,000 miles, and was not covered any longer under this recall. Vehicle was unsafe to drive.
Engine cooling fan caught fire in 1999 - car under warranty and repaired by dealership. 2 more engine cooling problems in 1999 the most serious problem was when the water pump failed. The engine had to be replaced. In 2002 the engine began overheating and we had to replace the thermostat, other problems encountered were replacement of oxygen sensor and fuel pump due to leakage. In June 2003 car overheating, the cooling fan connection had become disconnected. In July 2003 car overheating, checked by mechanic who noted that there water pump was leaking, recommended dealership repair due to cost. On day one dealership estimated cost of water pump replacement $380. Day two dealership calls - head gasket blown and fan belt worn bill now $1100. Day three dealership calls - one of the oxygen sensors and another part needs replacing an additional $300-400.00. Total bill $1600.
Consumer states that while driving and with no warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.
Consumer states since vehicle was brought in for safety recall 00V367, the vehicle has begun to overheat. Because consumer was unaware of the function of the positive temperature coefficient device (installed as part of the recall), which is to turnoff the engine fan, consumer was unaware why vehicle was overheating and steps taken to solve it which included flushing the radiator and replacing the thermostat did not remedy the problem. Consumer found other complaints about heating problem on the internet. Consumer is appalled there was a $100 fee for bringing vehicle back for failures due to recall repairs. Consumer is also concerned that manufacturer is not responsible enough to make any further repairs or modifications to her vehicle.
The engine light illuminates on and off. The vehicle starts when it wants too. Also, the vehicle overheated. The dealer repaired the vehicle after a recall came in the mail. Consumer had to pay out of pocket for repair.
Vehicle developed a noise and dealer replaced the power steering pump, however noise did not go away, dealer stated noise was due to pulley that had rusted and corroded, recall 00V367, regarding the fan motor, caused the pulley to rust and corrode, therefore causing the noise, vehicle had overheated and dealer had to replace the engine and many other components due to the failure of the recall component, consumer states the engine light has illuminated.
Consumer received a recall notice 00S-440 on engine cooling fan electronic fuse and took the vehicle to the dealer, after repair the vehicle continued to overheat worse than before.
Electrical system burned up, causing vehicle to become inoperable. Contacted dealer. After dealer performed recall campaign 00V367000, consumer could smell something burning, another mechanic found wiring harness was completely destroyed. Consumer adds that the oil pump also failed.
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed a smoke smell coming through the vents. He pulled over to the shoulder and vehicle was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem. Prior to recall 00V367, engine was overheating and burning excess oil from overheated piston rings, after recall repairs, there was an internal antifreeze leak that was going into motor oil, engine cooling fans were operating intermittently when engine was hot, dealer found upper radiator hose at water pump had a pinhole leak, engine cooling fan wiring overheated and burned out at fan relay and fan connectors, then consumer received recall 01I009 and had these repairs completed on vehicle, after recall repairs, engine and in-dash wiring overheated and burned, dealer installed recall parts for blower motor again, consumer later informed a new motor was needed due to no compression due to overheating damage. This took place prior to vehicle fire. Headlight and taillight lenses replaced. Overdrive light was inoperative, shift lever internal sliding bezel had a stress crack, at times it was hard to get out of park when temperature was cold. A/C did not blow cold air and was noisy. Fuel door would not open at times. Speedometer cable was replaced due to a ticking noise.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Benton Harbor, MI, USA