This contour has a moderate steering/ hydraulic noise when turning at any time. Ford acknowledged the defect during the warranty period. The dealer stated that the rack and pinion component would have to be replaced. Then they changed their mind ford told dealer not to change the unit. Stated that ford was working on a fix for problem. May take up to six months. I had a lawyer write a letter to ford asking for a buy back. They refused and stated that the noise was "normal." well, which is it? A noise that a dealer was going to replace the unit to fix, that the ford engineering is suposedly working on, or a normal noise? My wife is scared to drive vehicle says the noise is getting worse. I thought steering system is a safety sensitive system.
1997 Ford Contour steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 16 of 16, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle in number of times for power assist going out when driving in rain or water. 2/99 acceleration lost while driving vehicle in traffic, no power. Had vehicle in previous week before was supposedly repaired.
Steering failure.
When driving the vehicle in wet conditions, the power steering stops for about 3-5 seconds. When taken to the dealer on two occasions, dealer stated that the manufacturer is aware of the problem and working on a correction.
Power steering pressure switch failed causing fluid to leak, resulting in engine fire.
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.
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