This car is a lemon - it is not safe.
1996 Ford Contour suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 38 of 38, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle constantly vibrated, when coming to a stop it vibrated so hard as if it was going throw consumer out of the car. Mechanic indicated this was the way vehicle was operating.
My 1996 contour has literally broken down. I have 99,000 miles and have completely replaced the transmission, the front suspension system, and the car still is not dependable, and the same problems re-occur. I hpay more in repairs than I do for my monthly payment.
Was driving 20mph when front end broke loose. Struts had broken. Vehcle hit ground, andthen was thrown across 2 lanes of traffic. It finally hit a parked vehicle. No injuries.
Consumer was informed by a mechanic that stabalizer bar was broken when she took vehicle into dealer to have have a realignment. This was a common problem with these vehicles. Consumer was charged a total of $463.26 to have this defect repaired. *ak
Springs are broken at the driver side and making clicking noise . Mechanic ( midas shop) told me that this is a classic problem with this model of cars due to bad design for these cars to break very easy mostly on the left side.
Springs in front broke, and then vehicle started to veer left to right. Also, struts were damaged. Dealership was aware of it.
1. Sterring is vibrating primarily when the A/C is on, 2.in hot weather, vehicle will stall while idling or at a stop.
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.
While driving vehicle makes a whinning sound, and loses power. Dealr has been contacted.
Loud humming noise and vibration during right turn. Taken to dealer and repaired at my cost prior to complete failure.
The air only comes out of the defrost.
Window stuck down, and struts needed.....4 years old???
While driving extreme vibration occurred within the steering column. Also, engine idled very fast, and the vehicle jerked., dealer stated that this was a normal condition. Please give any further details.
Consumer bought vehicle in september. She went outside that morning to start it up her vehicle and she noticed a knocking noise comming from underneath the hood. The dealer replaced starter and water pump but problem still exist.
Sway bar failure caused vehicle to make rattling noise while turning left. Yh
The struts replaced due to noise & the rear bearing's were replaced due to failure. Problem still exist.
Consumer took this vehicle in to be repaired under the recall 99s14 for an ignition switch, the vehicle was repaired, but now theirs is a problem with front end vibrating very hard. The dealer has been contacted.
Vehicle was experiencing electrical problem which caused the cigarette lighter to malfunction, radio and clock went blank and driver side front window will not roll down. Nlm
When driving at any speed and stopping at a stop, their is alot of vibrating within the steering and the dashboard rattles.
Driving 60mph. Heard popping noises. Vehicle uncontrollable. Went off road & down 30ft embankment & flipped over twice. Mechanic checked & noticed left front lower ball joint had fallen out. This caused a loss of control. 4 people were injured & everyone was wearing seat belts.
Was traveling 60mph & driver lost control of vehicle. Had swerved first left & went off road & then swerved to the right into 30ft ditch. Vehicle towed to mechanic & was informed the left ball joint had broken which caused loss of vehicle control. The vehicle was totaled. Driver/passengers suffered injuries.
Idler arm and front control arm failed.
Rubbing noise while driving--noise is louder when turning wheel to left when changing lanes and going around curves.
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.
When traveling at any speed the vehicle cuts off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. In addition, the steering wheel shakes when traveling over 60 MPH, resulting in poor steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.
Consumer had taken vehicle to dealer for a regular oil change. But when he got home, he started smelling something like a burning oil. Checked under vehicle where he saw the front shock asorber rusted for no reason because he left vehicle in on indoor garage.
Purchase car new was driving and lower ball joint came loose . Tt
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