1996 Ford Contour: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Jan 2, 2003 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · CA

Transmission has failed repeatedly even after complete rebuild. Have also had tread separation in tires on 5 separate occasions

Filed Sep 7, 2001 · Electrical · NY

The car has less than 5,000 miles . The cigarette lighter/accessory outlet developed a short with fuse blowout . The interior lever to the left of the driver's seat does not function to open the outside lid covering the gas cap . The car is in almost new condition with less than 5,000 miles since 1996 . Car is also in for mandatory recall servicing due to notice from ford .have there been other complaints about shorting in the cigarette lighter/accessory outlet system ? Have there been other complaints about the interior gas cap lid lever not functioning ? I am being charged for the repair of these items . I wonder whether there was a basic design deficiency that LED to such malfunctioning after less than 5,000 miles .

Filed Oct 30, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Right rear light continued to go out. Replace bulb few times. Right wheel bearing had to be replaced. Major fan belt replaced. Alternator replaced. Light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. This happened after they fixed my recall for lights. Gas cap cover is very hard to open. Takes several times to try and open. When air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. Owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. These are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. Also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. I have sent a letter to the president of ford and explained how I felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. I never received a response from anyone. They should be made to take back all contours and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. I am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. They need to provide a loan and new car for us. I will be contacting ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. As I told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. I appreciate that you have this web site that I can voice my concerns,problems with the ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. I will help you in any way I can to clear up all of these problems. I keep the letter I sent ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know I did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie jennings hewitt

Filed Oct 10, 2000 · Tires · DC

Prior to receiving recall notice, the left front firestone tire blew out causing damage to the vehicle (00t-005).

Filed Nov 14, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

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.