10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 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.

1997 Ford Contour brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Ford Contour Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 242003

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles

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

While driving the consumer noticed that the brake pedal descended to the floor and the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. The vehicle has been in for the same repairs three times.

- Logansport, IN, USA

problem #11

Jun 152000

Contour

  • miles
When I tried to make a sudden stop the rear wheels locked, the car spun about 90 degrees and hit a bridge.air bags both deployed, I was injured and taken to a hospital. There was a recall of this vehicle for this problem in April 2000 but I was not sent a recall notice. I received a recall notice on 6-23-2000 after complaining to Ford; Ford did not fulfill their obligation to notify me of this safety recall. My compaint is two-fold: First, Ford has produced a defective product and is responsible for damages caused by this product, and second, Ford failed to notify me in a timely manner about this defect so that I could have the defect corrected. I have suffered minor personal injury, vehicle repair expenses, added insurance premiums (future), trip interuption, and loss of use of the vehicle for approximately 30 days. When I contacted Ford by telephone I was offered kind conversation but no explanation for their negligence, no offer to compensate me for damages, and no other contact at Ford who could respond to my complaint.

- Mears, MI, USA

problem #10

Oct 011998

Contour

  • miles
1. parking brake seized without warning in wet weather with outside temperatures below freezing, especially when parking brake was left engaged for several hours while car was parked outdoors. Left rear wheel would lock up intermittently, causing difficulty in maintaining control of vehicle and nearly causing two accidents. Also made ascending icy hills from a stop very difficult, as both rear wheels would lock. This sometimes caused the vehicle to slowly roll backward into path of oncoming traffic. 2. transmission shifted only at very low engine speeds (less than 2500 RPM), causing much slower than normal acceleration, and excess use of brakes when descending long, steep grades. Driving with knowledge of problem allowed me to avoid situations where rapid acceleration or extended periods of brake use were necessary, but problem still reduced margin of safety. Both these problems were eventually repaired under warranty after numerous dealership denials and delays. Dates and mileages of components failures are estimates, and not exact.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #9

Apr 212000

Contour

  • miles

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

Recal 00V075000/rear brake valve: Dealer refused to honor recall because consumer was involved in an accident due to brake failure. Consumer registered a complaint with manufacturer. Dealer told consumer that repairs would not be done until they get the approval from manufacturer.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 012000

Contour

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Hydraulic control unit failed, causing erractic performance of ABS. Cause is unknown.

- Logansville, IN, USA

problem #7

Oct 011999

Contour

  • miles
While braking there is a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle, and the brake pedal goes to the floor, caused extended stopping distance, which may result in a crash. Dealer replaced a bar in the rear brakes. Problem still exists.also, dealer is going to replace pins in the rear brakes even though the noise is coming from the front of the vehicle.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #6

Aug 231999

Contour

  • miles

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

Driver was in an front end accident that was caused by application of the brakes which failed. Consumer lost control and hit a gaurdrail head-on. Upon impact, passenger's side air bag deployed, but driver's side air bag failed to deploy.

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #5

Aug 131999

Contour

  • miles
Was driving 70mph & started to apply brakes to slow down, vehicle went into a 180 degree spin. Another vehicle hit the right side. Vehicle winded up facing opposite direction towards traffic. Will be taking to dealer.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #4

Aug 161999

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When coming to a stop and applying the brakes they make a roaring sound. Dealer claims the brakes are working properly.

- Philladelphia, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 031999

Contour

  • miles
While drivng in snowy/wet conditions ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing the wheels to lock up/vibrates/shake. Then vehicle slid in the direction it was going, causing an accident. Vehicle had no braking ability at all. Also, dealer replaced the rear left caliper. Dealer was aware of the problem, but said it was the way the system operated. Please provide further inforamtion.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 021999

Contour

  • miles
Problems occurred since car was less than 500 miles old. The cutting off of the engine has been reported from that time and still occurs after 17,600 miles. Problem cannot be found. Loss control of vehicle when the ABS and engine shut down when driving during a snowy weather. Loss control of car and went off the road. Other problems include driver seat moves forward intermittently when braking.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 281997

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driving approximately 45mph and attempting to change lanes, got into right lane and touched brakes lightly to steer car straight, steering locked up, couldn't steer left or right, steering stuck in slant position. Pumping brakes and the brakes were not working. Car ran into guardrail and flipped three times. Air bag deployed.

- Hyde Park, MA, USA

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