10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1996 Ford Contour steering problems

steering problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 132001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving vehicle in wet conditions, water is backsplashed by front right tire into the engine compartment, specifically where the main drive belts are. This causes the power steering pulley to slip and sieze, thereby causing a lock up on the steering mechanism. This has occurred numerous times and creates a hazardous situation because you loose control of vehicle momentarily. We lost control of vehicle recently in the expressway, while traveling on wet pavement and puddles. Steering siezed and car went out of control. Fortunately we brought the car under control before causing major accident.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 011998

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer experiencing problem with power steering belt slipping. Whenever vehicle is driven in the wet condition road the water would come underneath onto the power steering belt, causing the belt to slip, and steering to fail. Dealer notified, and refused to correct the problem because claimed vehicle was not under warranty. However, consumer indicated that vehicle wa sunder an extended warranty sold by the dealer. However, warranty doesn't cover any item that the manufacturer is responsible for.

- Elizbeth City, NC, USA

problem #3

Jul 171998

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The steering belt on vehicle is too low to the ground. When it's raining it gets wet & causes the driver to lose control of vehicle when making turns. Took to dealer & informed cannot do anyting. It was designed like that.

- Ocean, NJ, USA

problem #2

Aug 131998

Contour

  • miles
When driving through a small puddle at 20mph, the power steering failed, making it difficult to manuever vehicle into a parking spot. Dealer believes the power steering belt slipped.

- Patuxent R, MD, USA

problem #1

Aug 281996

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Power steering hose and pump failed.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

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