Abs failed to stop vehicle after brakes were applied. Vehicle started slowing up after ABS light came on. Brake pedal went to the floor. Eventually was able to stop vehicle. Been to mechanic 4 times, master cylinder proprtional valve was replaced to correct problem, which still was present. *ak consumer stated this has been an reocurring problem.
1996 Ford Contour brakes complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Brakes have little resistance when pressure is applied to brake pedal, feels "mushy. Also, ABS light on instrument panel came on. Dealership examined vehicle and reset ABS light. As the consumer was driving away from dealership, ABS light came back on. Dealership then determined they have to perform rewiring work to correct the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Rear calipers locked uo, causing overheating of brake rotors, odor and potential to boil hydralic fluid leading to brake failure.
Brakes were making a loud squeaking noise coming from left front brake drum. Took to mechanic, and they replaced both left and right front brake system. Consumer has not contacted dealer. Please provide any further information.
While traveling at 70 MPH,odometer gauge dropped to 10 MPH. Engine light and odometer light came on. Consumer states that vehicle was towed to mechanic. Mechanic stated it was the speed sensor. *ak
Intermittent problems with ABS, when applying brakes at 5 MPH ABS kicks in, there is a pulsing noise at that time. Dealer numerous times, cannot remedy problem.
Vehicle has a crack in transmission housing.*ak consumer states while mechanic was performing routine maintenance he observed a crack in the bottome of the transmission housing, since no transmission work has ever been performed under consumer's ownership roughly since 41,000 miles in the mechanic's opinion that either the transmission housing was cracked when installed or another transmission was put in resulting in a cracked housing, he also observed what might be bad front coil springs, they are making a rubbing nosie on an uneven surface or in a sharp turn to the right,consumer has contacted manufacturer they have called her consumer back but they have turned the complaint into a feedback report consumer has also had rotors turned and serviced twice.
In october, 2000, on a highway offramp, the brake pedal went fully to the floor. Car crashed into the rear of another vehicle with approx. $5000 damage to my car. In mid-december, 2000, my daughter was driving the car and pedal once again went straight to floor. She pumped once, brake worked, avoided accident. Will install new master cylinder on technician's suggestion. At 77 years old I am afraid of the next occurrence. Have others had this experience??
I got this car in april 96. I have had it in the shop several times because the car just completely loses power without any warning at all. It locks up the steering and brakes. It happens at all speeds and in varying temperatures. They have never been able to find the problem. The most recent episode was jan 14, 2001. Sometimes I have to tow the car, other times it will start back up. This last time it started back up after about 5 minutes. Fortunately, other drivers have been paying attention, and I haven't been killed. This car has also experienced: check engine light always on...dealer cannot find problem, but charges $110 to diagnose it each time!....the accelerator pedal cable broke in 2000. Again, fortunately, I was in my neighborhood and no cars nailed me. The paint on this car is beginning to peel/crack even though it is garage kept. I have had to put 3 sets of brakes on this car...have also had the dash and tail lights go out (which they did fix) also the AC knob broke (which they fixed) I have taken it in for all known recalls. Ford has never responded to my concerns about the complete power loss I keep experiencing and the dealer just suggests totally useless repairs that cost alot and do not solve the problem.
While driving about 20 MPH next to a close curve saw a deer in front of vehicle on road. Tried to avoid hitting it by stepping on brakes. They locked up, and vehicle rolled over. None of front air bags deployed.
Whenever I turn on the heater, A/C, defrost, or fan my ABS light turns on and my brakes are spongy. I have lost all brakes on two occasions when the ABS light came on. When my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. Installed a new battery, still dies. Ford cannot find a cause for either problem. I have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. Also, my A/C fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced.
When depressing brakes with normal force vehicle continued to travel, causing a crash.
Consumer received recall notification (00v‑075), however dealership denied service, vehicle does not apply.
Consumer does not feel the vehicle is safe, due to the extensive amount of recalls (6) that have been sent regarding the safety of the vehicle, request vehicle to be exchange or recalled completely due to manufacturer errors, most recent recall (00v‑075) brake system.
About 2-3 months after I had my car I tried to trade it in for another car because of the deffects on it, but the dealer would not help me out then. Is there anything I can do about it now? No safety defect listed in the summary.
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall 00v075000/ rear brake valve. Dealer stated parts were not available. Dealer refused to correct recall problem. Please provide any further details.
While driving and braking engine revved and suddenly accelerated and the brakes would not slow down the vehicle. Had to use the emergency brake, and run up an a curb in order to stop the vehicle. Manufacturer contacted. Please provide further information.
Have had numerous problems: interior/brake lights failed to light. Replaced switch twice. Fuel filler door will not open with latch inside. Never worked. Cigarette lighter failed. Power window on driver's side has failed. Car intermittently will not start due to drained battery. Mechanic could find no cause for this related to alternator/charging system of car. Never able to fix this. Trunk leaks water around seal. Abs light keeps coming on . Mechanic could find no problem with ABS. Air conditioner/heater would only blow out defrost setting. Also bad smell comes from AC when on. Rear seat belts keep jamming; not able to use sometimes because they won't come out. Worst problem so far: transmission has failed. Not yet fixed. I loved this car once, now I hate it! The whole thing should be recalled.
The front end of vehicle shakes and rattles when slowing down..the smell of burning wires are present when AC and heaters are utilized.very dangerous if you live in cold climate area. Could cause injury or even death during winter months. Ford should do a safety recall on all engine, internal wiring harness, and fix rotors.
While driving the car began to malfunction and then cut off , when vehicle cut off, driver lost control because the wheels locked up.
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes there is a grinding noise coming from the brakes.
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, brakes are working intermittently, and brake pedal goes straight to the floorboard.
In june 1998 replaced brake pads, and had rotors turned because they were warped. Had to replace brake pads again, including rotors in february 1999. Two months later rotors again warped. In july 1998 had to replace alternator. In april 1999 dash lights and tail lights quit working - had headlight switch replaced.
The left front axle broke while I was driving the car and it punctured my tire and damaged the rim of it. The mechanic says it was just worn out even though the car is only 3 years old. The check engine light stays on all the time, and there is nothing wrong. The engine rumbles when it idles. The brakes grind all the time, and I have replaced the left rotor 3 times in less than a year. The carpet comes out from under the rear seats an the passenger's side.
When pressing brakes it vibrates and makes noise. Rotors have been replaced twice with because of same problem. Service tech says it will be a continuous problem due to the type of brake pads the vehicle uses.
Ford need to replace this car with a safe one! Come on 6 electrical failures? When will the fire start from the failures?..dateline nbc next!
While driving at any speed and when applying the brakes, they are not hard but medium. When driving over any speed bump there is a very loud noise coming from the back of the vehicle by the fuel tank.
When turning could hear a bumping sound in steering. Took vehicle to dealer. Nothing was found. Noise was louder. Could not control vehicle during rain. The brakes failed to slow & stop vehicle. Had cracked front end. The front suspension sway bar also broke.
Gas tank failed.
Emergency hand brake failed.
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