Ford Contour wipers problems

Filed Oct 21, 2008 · Visibility · 157,000 miles · MI

Happened around oct 15, 2008 at night, between marshall and olivet mi. Failure was windshield wiper linkage, causing wipers to blow off the vehicle. Part is hard to find, looking to get it fixed for safety obviously. Was not able to see well, since next exit was still miles away. No easy way to fix this in an emergency, like this. This type of linkage is unsafe, and I believe any vehicles with it should be recalled.

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · NC · fire

Dt: 01s22 ford recall. Consumer had recall work done . Dealer should have replaced the heater blower switch and a wire jumper harness. Dealer completed work on march 15, 2002. Dealer iwas mike shad ford in jacksonville, florida. Last tuesday july 12, 2005 the wire jumper harness caught on fire while consumer was driving vehicle on side street, glenwood ave., at night. Flames shot up from where windshield wipers were located. Flame lasted a couple seconds then were gone. Consumer pulled over, contacted fire department, and had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer don jenkins ford in suquay, north carolina. Consumer contacted insurance company and they said it was a defect so they would not pay. Consumer found on the federal safety agency website that ford offered a warranty on this recall of 10 years from original date of sale or 150,000 miles. When she contacted ford they told her that warranty was only 100,000 miles and the federal safety agency website information was incorrect. Ford will not fix vehicle for consumer.

Filed Jun 20, 2005 · Visibility · 85,000 miles · MI

Dash has curled up so badly that my window will not defrost. This condition has also caused my winshield to crack from on side of the car to the other. It is so bad that at times I need to wipe the windshield with one hand while driving with the other just so I can see while driving. I also have a problem with the windshield linkage that keeps coming apart during operation of the wipers causing the wipers to stop working.

Filed Dec 21, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 35,000 miles · MA

The tail lights became inoperable after four replacements. Also, the windshield wipers did not work in low gear, and the running lights malfunctioned. *ak the electrical connector splice from the headlight switch opened. (the right side tail light was inoperative) the tail lights, front running lamps were out again, a fuse was bad and found some more wires in the trunk wired incorrectly, the dashboard lights and the license plate tail lights worked intermittently, there was a wiring short in the harness in the cowl area, there was a blown fuse in the exterior lighting, on another occasion, the #33 fuse was found open, the sunroof was inoperative due to a shorted motor, bad drive gear and two cables. *sc

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Visibility · NV

I own a 1999 ford contour. Around thanksgiving 2003 I noticed that the defrost vent on my dash came lose. Next the dash started to curl up. Then the dash started to pull away from the frame. I can see the glue used to hold it to the frame. The dash is now curled so high I can't see the wipers & part of the hood. I am fearful passenger airbag will deploy. I called my local ford company in nv & was told about a recall but it expired. I had several estimates done & have been told parts alone are approx $800 & labor at least $1000. August 9th 2004 I called the worldwide service line at ford & was told there was not a recall but a customer satisfaction program #01b78 that ran from august 2001 thru august 31 2002. I never got anything. I told them I didnt feel I should have to pay for it when they know faulty equipment is in the vehicle. They told me the program had expired. When I told them in their eyes no one has died yet so it is not serious enough to issue an actual recall. The rep acknowledged this statement saying I was correct, that it was not a safety issue. I told them they are wrong, it is a safety issue, the airbag is under that dash and could deploy. Fords only answer to me was to take it to a certified ford dealer in my area & have them inspect it. A tech will tell me the cost to fix. Then it was repeated that the program has expired. Ford is not going to do a recall for equipment they know is faulty & they are not going to pay for the repairs. I am left with an unsafe vehicle to pay for repairs that I feel I should not have to pay for in the first place. I dont know how many complaints need to be made in order for a recall to be issued but I hope it doesn't take someone actually getting seriously hurt or a fatality for them to do something about this, please let me know.. Thanks ljr

Filed May 20, 2004 · Electrical · IN

The dash on my 1999 ford contour gl began peeling away more than two years ago. Despite receiving a recall letter from ford about the problem, I was unable to have it replaced/repaired. About the same time, I started having problems with the radio cutting out. I could push in a cassette then remove it to get the radio to come back on, but nothing else would work. Just yesterday I drove my car with no problem...until I turned off the ignition. When I attempted to restart the car, I was unable to do so. When I turn the key to the first stop, the accessory position, the radio, lights, etc., all work fine. When I turn the key further, to start the car or to the second stop to power other devices (AC, power windows, etc), it behaves as if the battery is dead. The buzzer (door open, keys in ignition) is very faint, radio doesn't work, windshield wipers move one very slow pass (even though they are turned off), can't get the car out of "park". I had the car towed home, but can't afford to have it checked out. Will call the dealership, but am not hopeful of getting the car fixed.

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · OR

I believe all 1997 ford contours should be recalled, over the past 3 years I have replaced the clutch, waterpump, blower motor, both lower control arms, bushings, sway bars, wheel bearings, front & rear brakes and rotors(both twice!!!!), axle, 2 oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, egr valve, coil springs, battery, balljoints, door latch, almost all of the full front suspension!!!! There are more parts that I had replaced but I can't remember all the names of the parts there are too many!! My check engine light will not turn off, seat belt light will not turn off, short in the drivers side power window, the engine will (rev) up by itself when it's in gear and when it's not, short in the drivers side power seats, water leakage in the trunk, A/C leaks onto the passenger side floor, all doors squeak no matter what you do, carpet is falling out, horn will not work most of the time, same for the cruise control, windshield wiper sprayer does not work, knocking noise coming from the engine, ended up in very bad debt because of this and no one will take it, I still owe money on the piece of crap. Contacted ford motor at one time regarding all the parts I replaced after the first year I had it, they say it's not there problem. Dealership who sold it to me says it was just fine, bull crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe that those are too many items for a 1997 to go wrong on.

Filed Sep 13, 2003 · Electrical · 121,869 miles · TX

1995 ford contour recall letter #99m03 issued oct.1999. I purchased car apr.2001 without knowledge of this recall. Mileage when purchased, 98,042. Mileage when wiring harness was determined as problem, 121,869. I have receipts for parts and labor that was not necessary due to this problem. There is a total of 20 recalls as of jan. 1995 on my VIN number. Ford motor states recall #99m03, is not considered a safety recall and expires at 100,000 miles. Other recalls extend to 150,000 miles because they are considered customer satisfaction courtesy. The car was manufactured and sold with a wiring harness defect and several other defects. Because I purchased the car used I was not aware of all defects. I believe ford should be responsible for their defective products and not force the second owner of the car to pay for their mistakes. The car doesn't start but all light and warning signals come on, the windshield wipers won't turn off and door locks or windows don't work. The defective wiring harness has caused damage to the motor as well. Boyd's automotive will verify damage to the vehicle due to the wiring harness, and unnecessary expenses paid before discovery of defect(s). Texas department of transportation motor vehicle division, enforcement section and the texas department of transportation motor vehicle division, consumer affairs section, referred my complaint to you because of the numerous recalls.

Filed Mar 4, 2002 · Visibility · IL

When consumer turned on the windshield wipers, the wiper assembly fell apart, there was a loud grindindg noise when she turned windshield wipers on.*ak during a rain storm the drivers side windshield wiper failed.*ak. The dealer informed consumer that the entire assembly housing needed to be replaced.

Filed Dec 17, 2001 · Airbags, Electrical · MO · fire

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.