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1998 Ford Contour electrical complaints

Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 130, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Ford Contour electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

While driving at about 5mph and making a right turn right front wheel came off due to loose lugs: nuts. Dealer has seen vehicle. *ak consumer states the vehicle has experienced problems with the following: fuel filter, spark plugs, transmission, cv boot, brakes, air filter, wire, rotors need turning, timing gear, timing belt, and vehicle will not start.

Filed Jun 28, 2001 · Body, Brakes · CA

Transmission has a defect, there is a slip when you applying gears. Also, brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor, and grabs a little bit. Dealership is aware of problem. Brakes have failed, on one occasion consumer almost hit a child, brake pedal slips from under foot. Emergency brake is only effective 50 percent of the time. Transmission intermittently changes gears roughly, at times jarring occupants in the vehicle. Possible electrical problem: light of the clock has burned out twice, consumer states there are shorts in the dashboard, causing the heater or A/C to only have one speed working, dome lights work intermittently, light under dash works intermittently, warning bell does not chime all the times it should, consumer states a sensor causes heater to act as the AC and vice versa. Hinges not made properly, causing door movement while opening/closing, does not stop when it should. Seat blet retarction does not have enough elast, causing it not to retract properly, has gotten caught in the door jam. Alarm system has failed. Wheel cover cracked when a tire was being changed and another one fell off, consumer was not aware of the time or place it fell off.

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Electrical · FL

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Jun 8, 2001 · Electrical · KY

Wiring harness located behind the headlight switch melted, causing failure of headlight and parking lights. Dealership repaired this problem, and manufacturer informed consumer that his vehicle was not included in recall 99v103000. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Filed May 16, 2001 · Acceleration, Airbags · NY

Airbag light is on/ horn, and cruise control are not working. Consuemr stated this was same problem as stated in recall 99 v 243 000. Consumer was scared that airbag may deploy in face.

Filed May 16, 2001 · Electrical, Lights · TX

The short caused the dashboard lighting and backlights not to function.

Filed May 11, 2001 · Electrical · WV

Fuse box melted due to a loose wire. Dealer has inspected vehicle.

Filed Mar 12, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MO

First day car was bought engine died, took to dealer, and they gave consumer another contour. Currently, vehcile will shut off in middle of intersection. Dealer replaced transmission, and engine was acting up. *ak consumer states vehicle has been in 3 times for transmission problems, it jerks and vibrates, consumer does not think that dealer replaced transmission like they said. 1 time for engine problems. Consumer has been in 2 accidents due to sudden acceleration. Front sway bar replaced, steering would shimmy and rattle. Blower motor assembly replaced, due to rattling noise in air conditioner, also cycling switch replaced due to air conditioner not cooling. Left front seat belt buckle assembly replaced, belt would not buckle. Starter failed and was replaced. Engine light illuminated, dealer found loose connection at act. Rear struts replaced, noisy.

Filed Mar 12, 2001 · Electrical · CO

My car frequently smells like an electrical fire. I hardly ever drive it. I am especially concerned about the recent articles about possible fires in contour models. I would like more information about this situation.

Filed Mar 7, 2001 · Electrical · NY

Wiring harness problems are same symptoms as mentioned in investigation # ea01001. Has replaced wiring harness 8 times.

Filed Mar 5, 2001 · Electrical · GA

Blower started functioning sporadically. Took to a dealer and they reported that there was a resistor failure in blower. Ford refused to acknowledge the problem.

Filed Feb 22, 2001 · Electrical · MD · fire

Consumer was traveling on highway and noticed that smoke was coming from underneath vehicle. He parked and vehicle burst into flames. Fire department was notified. Fire marshall stated that electrical system started fire.

Filed Jan 31, 2001 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

After noticing a whining sound at approximately 30 MPH in second gear and an increase in vibration when the air conditioner was on, the transmission was rebuilt on 10/10/98, on 8/3/2000 the transmission was replaced because of sudden and violent slipping, on 8/28/00 check engine light came on because oxygen sensor had been disconnected while transmission was replaced, sensor reconnected/replaced. Cj

Filed Jan 30, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

Had to slam on brakes suddenly/ABS light came on, and fuse between blower and heater popped out. This happened every time brakes were applied suddenly. Would have no codes. Would put 80 amps fuse in & same thing happened. Heater motor wold still be running & ABS light on. Front end brakes would lock up. Back brakes did not work.

Filed Jan 29, 2001 · Body, Electrical · CA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Jan 17, 2001 · Electrical · OH

Ignition power module shorted out. Please provide futher details.

Filed Dec 22, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

When appyling ABS brakes system failed. This was caused by a malfunction within blower switch and wiring harness. *ak when brakes are released the lights and the blower motor worked normal. The dealer indicated that water intrusion caused wire damage requiring complete wire harness. The consumer had to skip the repair due to a very high cost of repair.

Filed Dec 11, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

Abs did not work in snow. Dealer said wire harness had moisture in it. Have to replace harness. Cost: $3000+

Filed Dec 11, 2000 · Electrical, Suspension · NY

Front coil spring broke and punctured front tire, car left road and had to be towed.

Filed Dec 4, 2000 · Electrical · TX

Vehicle was parked and wouldn't start. Ignition switch damaged key. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Nov 7, 2000 · Electrical · FL

Intermittently while driving vehicle at any speed vehicle cut off. Vehicle has cut off 3 times since september of this year. A total of 6 six times over last 3 years. Each time vehicle had to be towed to dealership, it will not restart. Dealership has tried to correct this problem, but problem still exists. Please provide any further information.

Filed Nov 1, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

A/c not cold enough due to faulty seal o-rings at the evaporator top and lower line outlet. Nlm

Filed Oct 25, 2000 · Electrical · GA

I have taken my car to the ford dealer twice and they have been unable to fix my car. Yet they find it neccessary to keep my car for weeks at a time. I am at the point to where I want them to take this car back and give me a nother one. Please help me. I have no more rental car fees and they are looking at my situation like oh well. That is not fair to me. If you have any suggestions or any knowledge that will eleviate my problem please get in contact with me.

Filed Sep 17, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

I am very displeased with the ford contour. About 2 month after I purchased my car I had to have the brake pads replaced, then replaced again after that. I've had several recalls on the car, not to mention all the other headaches I've dealt with. I'm really considering not to ever buy another ford car, this has been the worst car I've ever owned

Filed Aug 25, 2000 · Electrical, Tires · TN

Fusebox: bought car in july 1999, had to have three recalls fixed, one of them was on the air bag sensor, we went and had one of the recalls corrected, the next week we were scheduled to have the remaining two finish, on wednesday of that week the air conditioner stopped working while we were driving home from work, we had the mechanic check it that friday when they fixed the air bag sensor, the mechanic said the fuse box was broken and needed to be replaced, he replaced the fuse box (free of charge) and we went on our way, then on 8/14/2000 as we were again driving home from work on the expressway at about 55 the air conditioner died again, we read through the car manual and found the correct fuses to the blower motor and A/C, we changed those fuses, that didn't fix the problem, we then changed the relays, (which were very hard to get replacements for), that didn' t fix it either, finally we took it to a ford dealer and had them chack it, they said there was a fuse in the front (which the owners manual said should only be changed by an authorized ford mechanic) that had blown and when it did it fused the fuse to the connector and that the entire fuse box would have to be replaced, this time at a cost of over $400.00 tires: we have just had to replace two firestone firehawk gta p205/60r15 90t m+s tires because the tread was coming away from the sidewall at the seem, it was so bad there were small flaps of the tread that stuck straight out like someone had peel a banana.( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 )

Filed Aug 1, 2000 · Electrical · IL

The fuse to turn signals continue to blow, and there is no warning until attemped to use the signal. Dealer has been contacted. *ak the vehicle was taken to a dealer in may 2000 for shift indicator problem recall. The vehicle was returned to the dealer again several times because the problem continued and approximnately 12 fuses blew over all.

Filed Jul 14, 2000 · Electrical · PA

Intermittently when horn blows there is a burnt wire smell, and the horn becomes inoperable. Dealer has been notified.

Filed Jun 8, 2000 · Electrical · TX

60 amp mega fuse blew, this caused anti lock failure, light and ventilation/heater/defroster failure. Nlm

Filed Apr 17, 2000 · Electrical · NJ · crash · fire · 1 injury

Consumer was traveling about 55 MPH and without warning the heat went off. There was rattling noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Then, vehicle started to lose speed. Consumer was looking out of rearview mirror and noticed black smoke coming from the manifold. Consumer applied emergency lights and veered over to the shoulder lane, and she was struck by a truck on the rear. Car was towed. Consumer suffered internal injuries.

Filed Apr 14, 2000 · Electrical · TN · fire

Consumer's vehicle was sitting at a friend house, and vehicle started to burn from the dashboard. Vehicle was totaled.

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