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.
1995 Ford Contour had front coil spring failure. During an inspection the technician informed the consumer that both front coil springs had failed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the consumer that he vehicle was not part of any recalls. The consumer had recently received a recall for his 2001 Ford Taurus for front coil springs and believes this vehicle should be included in the recall.
In 2002, rear spring broke on her 1995 Ford Contour. We were unaware of the breakage, until a repair shop fixing the car for another problem informed us. We took the car to a local tire shop and they replaced the rear spring. Now, Sept. 8, 2004 when taking our 1995 Ford Contour to the shop for noise and difficulty driving, we find that the front spring had broken. We were advised to have the car towed, not driven to a local tire/front end shop for replacement. After getting suspicious, I checked the internet and found out that other people have had trouble with springs breaking on their Ford Contour. This Ford Contour had less than 60,000 miles. I called the local Ford shop and was informed that we could bring the vehicle to them for replacement. At that point, our car had already been disassembled and the bad spring replaced. We had not received any notification of a possible failure of springs, let a lone two springs to break under 60,000 miles and two years apart. So far Ford has not responded to my request to reimburse us for any of the charges from the tire/front end shop. I am very concerned about this failure of a spring in the back and front of this Ford Contour. Now we have three new springs (replaced two in front and one in back), but still have one old spring on the back which hasn't been replaced. This should be a serious recall, not a program, and everyone should be notified. We actually had the car in to the shop in 2001 for another recall, so I can't figure out why Ford did not notify us about the spring problem. Ford needs to replace all their springs on this vehicle. This car has had enormous repairs from airconditioning, timing belts, steering problems, etc., but this spring situation could result in serious accidents. My guess is there are many more vehicles out there unaware that this was a "customer satisfaction program". it should be a recall.
Refusal of Ford Motor Company to reimburse for broken coil springs. The dealer was contacted and denied the consumer reimbursement for the broken coil springs.
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.
- Valdez, AK, USA
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When making a left or a right hand turn whole assembly moves. Also, springs shift, causing poor steering control. Consumer has taken tvehicle to dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem.
Consumer was traveling about 30mph on a side streetand heard a rubbing noise. Then, left front tire exploded. Tire dropped down on consumer, but she was able to pull over. Coil spring on the left front side broke, and punctured tire, causing four inch slash inside of tire. Consumer states there is an extended warranty on the front coils, but believes this is a safety hazard and shouldb a recall.
One of front and two of rear coil springs broke, consumer states the springs were so sharp they could of ruptured tires. The rear struts and the two rear coil springs were replaced by dealer at consumer's cost.
In Oct 1999 american Ford told us that the front drivers suspension spring was broken and needed replacement. Costin us $262 for fix. Now a year later they tell us the rear spring is broken and needs replacement. This time for a cost of $400 aprx.
All 4 coil springs have broken. Ford campaign 98M04 covers the front coil springs for 2.0L engine vehicles. There is no recall or extended warranty campaign for the rear springs. The dealer and their Ford service rep cannot explain why my 2.5L engine vehicle is not covered under 98M04, though the same defective steel is used in both. I have researched front and rear coil spring failures for my vehicle on the internet and discovered a very significant number of 1995 Contour/Mystique owners have complained of both front and rear coil spring failures. These owners, not covered under 98M04, have received no satisfaction from Ford Motor Company. My dealer has reported very little cooperation from Ford Motor Company while investigating my vehicle's coil spring problem.
I heard a noise in the front end when turning the steering wheel looked under front end and found a broken piece of spring hanging near bottom of strut took it to the dealer for repairs. Estimate was $275 for new springs and a front end alignment. Springs were on back order at several dealers, seems to be a hard to come by item as so many are broken that I have seen.
Consumer has been having problems with the front end springs. Had a recall notice for repairs. Tok car in to Ford dealer to have recall work done. Front springs were broke. Wa snot informed that consumer had to pay for the alignment that needed to be done. Evidently, whevever front springs are replaced an alignment has to be done. Dealer insisted that alignment was not covered under the recall.
Recall for the front coil spring only extends warranty coverage to pay for defective front spring replacement caused by corrosion, consumer is not satisfied with warranty and feels that replacement of defective spring should be the repair. Mjs (98V-094)
Each time dealer was contacted, he informed me, "there was no point in contacting anyone because the problems were 'no big deal' ". it seems as though we have replaced a rather significant number of parts for a car that is only three years old. When we had the front coil spring replaced, the mechanic told us he'd never seen so much rust under a 3 year old car. He also said new struts would be needed already next year too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Johnstown, PA, USA