1998 Ford Contour steering problems

Filed Sep 17, 2015 · Steering · 137,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford contour. While driving approximately 40 MPH on a wet road, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil springs were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred every time the road was wet. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2006 · Steering · 58,000 miles · CA

My family and I were making a right turn from the parking lot of a movie theater to a moderately busy street. After I completed the turn, I heard a loud "bang", and my car suddenly swerved to the right, and I couldn't stop. I could not go forward, or back around. Thinking that it was caused by a blown tired, I got out; it was not. When I had it towed to my mechanic, he said that one of the steering rods on the front, right passenger wheel had broken. He replaced both the right and the left steering rods.

Filed Oct 26, 2005 · Steering · 52,839 miles · FL

Dt: while driving and without prior warning the consumer could not make a right turn. Took vehicle to the repair shop, and they said the rack and pinion steering rack broke, and needed to be replaced. Also, did a power steering flush. *ak

Filed Mar 31, 2004 · Steering · 74,000 miles · TN

Vehicle experienced complete engine wiring harness failure at 74000 miles. *ph

Filed Mar 14, 2003 · Steering · 120,000 miles · VA

My 1998 ford contour 4-door sedan recently experienced a devastating failure. While my daughter was driving through a parking lot at low speed, a sub-frame assembly under the dash fell down on her feet. The assembly is held in place with two bolts which had come loose. As a result of this, the steering linkage was allowed to disconnect, permitting the steering wheel to spin freely. Had this happened on the highway she would have completely loss control, and because the frame fell on her feet, she probably couldn't have applied the brake. No steering and no brake! I think this is a potentially fatal design defect. Of course, the dealer and ford apologized but refused to correct the problem because the car is out of warranty.

Filed Mar 3, 2003 · Steering · VA

The steering wheel became stuck in one direction. Consumer had to use excessive force to get steering back to the center.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Steering · NY

When driving slowly through a puddle the car can experience a sudden, temporary loss of power steering. This results in difficulty controlling the car.

Filed Aug 5, 2002 · Body, Brakes · CA

Consumer states that the vehicle popped out of gear and went into neutral while making a left hand turn, consumer also states that there are intermittent problems with getting vehicle into gear, vehicle experienced shift and clutch problems.

Filed Jul 24, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · IN

The vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. One day the vehicle stalled 12 times. The engine light has been illuminated since purchased. Nlm the vehicle stalled the second day the consumer ever drove it. The blower on the A/C and heater failed. On one occasion the vehicle wouldn't start. It turned out the problem was with the alarm system.

Filed Jun 15, 2002 · Steering, Transmission · VA

Automatic transmission slipped badly nearly causing accident as car behind me did not anticipate my car not being able to accelarate as I turned onto a busy road. Second time tranmisson has failed in the vehicle - first at approx 25000 miles. Leaking trans fluid also damge seals to power steering "rack" causing seals to fail competely in less than 300 miles.