The federal safety agency recall 99 v 060 000/manufacturer's recall 99s06, fmvss 114: ignition switch is able to turn while driving. Dealer was contacted,and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. Feel free to provide any further information.
1999 Ford Contour electrical complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 65 of 65, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Our car has had problems since day one we have 2 different emblams on the fenders, window fell out, speakers busted, carpet ruined by leaks, fan switch only works on high setting, instrument panel smoked up as if burning, hood doesn't meet up with cowl, trunk stays soaked, and there are numerous other problems all happened within six months of original purchase.
Said car had defects almost as soon as we purchased it, we noticed it had 2 different emblams on the fenders and they had to run the VIN# so they could find out which it was. The car started leaking within 6 months of purchase, they worked on it 3 times to no prevail(still leaks) the dash has bowed up at the windshield and at the panel behind the steering wheel, instrument panel has smoked up, heater switch only works on high setting, pass. Side front window fell out of door track while going down the highway, speaker busted, carpet ruined because of leaks. Blancetts had all of these parts ordered for over 6 months and they still did not get all of them in, an d ford motor company has closed them down. I don't know the specifics of the reasons for closing them, but they had trouble once or twice with getting cars and trucks with mileage rollback problems.
Dashboard is coming up, and defroster does not work properly. Also, there are bubbles on dashboard.
Windshield wipers will come on intermittently, and air bag light illuminates while driving, causing vehicle to stall and die. Dealer has been notified. Car was on fire which burned up fuse box.
Rear of fuse box overheated, and one of the plugs melted. Consumer has contacted ford, and they have refused to look at it because it was out of warranty. Please provide any further information.
The dealership admited that a technician left a wire loose when they installed a new motor in my car. They were repairing all damage due to the fire. They did not. My son had an accident 4 months later. When the airbags deployed, the passanger side airbag was burnt and melted, therefore never completely deploying.
Problems started at 119miles, dealers either don't confirm problem or say it's normal for this car. Multiple repair attempts at 4 dealers. Severe vibration and pull at highway speeds are the tires (confired with my winter tires-no problem), klunking from front end when going over bumps, all dash warning lights come on during winter at idle-go out after restart or engine acceleration, front seats wobble side to side-dealer says normal for car-wan't present when new, pulsing front end shimmy on highway-not tire related-possible cv shaft issue-dealers stated npf, engine spark knocks under light loads-no change with different gas grades or brands-dealers says npf, headlamps go dim at idle-dealers says normal-not present when new, poor low beam visibility from headlamps, aluminum wheels are too porous-lose abnormal air amounts-dealer says npf. Most of these have been since new or started within 1st year of new- no dealers has yet "confirmed" problems when they are readily apparent to others. In shop for over 3 months total since new. *ak (tiresize: p205/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 )
We were driving (one mile from home) when it sounded like we had a flat tire. I pulled over and checked. Tires were fine. Heard thumping again. Turned car around because of 87 year old father in vehicle. Smoke came through the vents. I pulled into the driveway. Smoke came out from under hood. Husband was doing yard work. My son adam yelled that there were flames. My husband ran to the garage and got a fire extinguisher. Put fire out. Had to cut two wires to stop the smoking and sizzling. Contacted state farm. A fire investigator said he believes that the way the wires were routed onto the fire wall, rubbed against a screw that was sticking out of the fire wall and over time wore the wire, causing a fire.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Vehicle was making spitting and sputtering noises, and then it stalled. While consumer went inside to call dealer, about a half hour later, went back out and found vehicle on fire consumer did not know why vehicle caught on fire.
My vehicle has a design flaw. The vehicles stalls after splashing through water. Only 1-2 inches are necessary to cause a stall. Also, the vehicle stall when turning in the rain. The engine will squeal, the alternator light will come on, and the vehicle will become very difficult to stop and steer due to loss of electrical power. This problem was identifed in ford's technical service bulletin # tsb 97-11-2. This design flaw is only supposed to affect 1995-1998 contours. However, it must be noted that my contour is an early 1999 (manufactured in september 1998). The tsb describes that the vehicles needs to have a splash guard installed. Repeated requests to ford motor company have not lead to any action being taken. I believe that my vehicle is dangerous to drive through any amount of accumulated water. Its tendency to stall forces me to drive through puddles very slowly which creates a dangerous situation for vehicles around me. I believe that ford should fix this design defect free of charge (labor and parts). I would greatly appreciate any assistance that your agency could provide.
The electrical system was replaced.
Vehicle started smoking, consumer took the problem to the dealer who found that some wires had melted and must have shorted something out.
I wrote a letter to ford (dated august 18) letting them know that I was not happy about having to pay over $700 for an alternator (which was supposedly only 1 year old) and an air flow sensor. I bought the car used in june 1999 and didn't feel that I should be replacing either after only a year. Please see letter attached. This morning (10/17/00), my car wouldn't start until I put it in neutral.
Ongoing problem with horn unable to operate properly when needed. Been in / out of dealer shop on two occasions, and problem could not be resolved. Dealer refused to do anything more.
Intermittently ignition switch malfunctioned, and the vehicle would not start. Dealer has replaced ignition switch, however, problem has reoccurred.
Since 12-15-99 I had cougar in service 3 times for water leak/ 2 times shift lock ,locked down because of brake light failure have complained about rear brake elco noise when backing up/ car hesitating at 50+ miles an hour /pulling to right when passing and giving the car more acceleration/car idling real high and wanting to take off when you first release the brake/ the windows not going up and down / the battery exploded/ the service was terrible at gateway the noise is still in the rear wheels . There is more where this came from the cougar will fall apart/ the engine or transmission is a problem . *ak( dot number: tire size: p/215/s0r1 )
Horn has not worked properly. Vehicle has been taken to the dealer on 3 different occasions. Dealer has not been able to remedy the problem. Horn has been replaced by dealer, but problem still occurs.
I have had car in shop 4 different times,they changed to rotors and brakes the first time at 3,000 miles.they claim the rotors were warped from the factory. The next 2 times they claim the car is fine,the last time ( car is still in the shop since 2/15/00 this is written to you 3-09-00) they are replacing the front rotors and brakes again, they say they are replacing the defrost switch and a wiring harness,the engine drivetrain they don't know???. I have lost time at work and I don't fell safe in the car. I refuse to take my "family" anywhere in this car!!!!!.
While driving; radio & interior lights will shut off when blinker, door & or other electronic component used or for no reason at all. Also have had problems w/ alarm system. Dealer unable to locate sorce of problem, changed radio twice, alarm & fuse box once.
In order to use the horn excessive pressure has to be applied to make it work. Sometimes it does not work at all. Dealer has replaced the contacts and problem still exists.
Horn is inoperable. The dealer has inspected the vehicle.
Fortunately I was able to extinguish fire before it was serious. Ford's concern regarding the incident is minimal
Vehicle experiences continued electrical power failures causing vehicle to loose all electrical power while driving in excess of 50 MPH, unable to rectify failures.
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