I'M A HEARING IMPAIRED DRIVER/OWNER OF FORD '95 CONTOUR GL (LOW-INCOMER, AVERAGE $21,000 A YEAR). I'VE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1997 FROM A MINNEAPOLIS-AREA FORD DEALERSHIP (QUALITY AUTO DEALERSHIP IN BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA). AT THE TIME, I HAD LESS THAN $10,000 TO PAY FOR A RECENT USED CAR(ONE THAT IS WITHIN 2-3 YEARS AFTER IT CAME ON THE MARKET). I TRIED OUT FEW CARS AND THE WHITE 1995 FORD CONTOUR GL. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT '95 FORD CONTOUR GL WAS A GOOD BUY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. I WAS WILLING TO TRADE UP MY OLD CAR TO REDUCE THE PRICE BUT IT WAS STILL TOO HIGH FOR ME SINCE IT DIDN'T INCLUDED OTHER FEES LIKE THE TITLE AND REGISTRATION LICENSE. AFTER A SHORT, PERSUASIVE NEGOTIATION, I GOT THE DEALER TO AGREE TO MARK DOWN TO $9995 AND I ACCEPTED THAT. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR. AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH IT, SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LATER TOLD ME THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS STUNNED BUT THEY WERE WILLING TO DO THE REPAIR FOR FREE. IT TOOK ME A WEEK TO GET MY CAR BACK. EVERYTHING WENT FAIRLY FINE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS. IN 1999, THE AIR-CONDITIONER IN MY CAR STOPPED WORKING AND IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AT THE TIME. I MOVED TO COLUMBUS, OH IN JAN. 2000. FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, THAT CAR HAS BECOME A TROUBLE FOR ME. ONE REPAIR AFTER THE NEXT. THE BIGGEST REPAIR COST I'VE PAID OUT WAS $2060.43 TO REPLACE A FLYWHEEL. I HAVE TRIED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR BY TAKING IT TO JIFFY LUBE FOR OIL/CHECK-UPS EVERY 3-6 MONTHS FAITHFULLY AND I'M STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR. RIGHT NOW, IT IS AT ANOTHER FORD SERVICE BECAUSE THERE MAY BE DEFECTED WIRING COILS IN MY CAR (A DEALER RECALL THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF). I HAVE KEPT ALL THE SERVICE MAINTENANCE PAPERS IN FILE FOR ALL THE REPAIRS AND SERVICES ON MY CAR. I WANTED A NEW CAR AND I'M NOT VERY HAPPY. I'M TIRED OF PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10069714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY FOR MANY YEARS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET ALLOWED ME TO FIND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. IT APPEARS TO NOT BE SPECIFIC TO ANY ONE MODEL YEAR. MY VEHICLE IS A 1995, BUT I HAVE SEEN INTERNET QUERIES FOR MANY OTHER NEWER VEHICLES. WHAT IS IN COMMON IS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE FORD CONTOUR IS FAULTY CAUSING ONE TO HAVE TO SPEND $4,000 TO GET IT REPAIRED, OR DRIVE WITH LESS AFFECTIVE BRAKES. HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY OTHER QUERIES ABOUT THE FORD CONTOUR ABS FAILURE?
NHTSA complaint #10066284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10009248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CONSUMER SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSED ON THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10009173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallassee, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)
CONSUMER STATES THAT ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRE ARE BURNED IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING DASHBOARD DAMAGE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ENGINE/ BRAKES/ STARTER /CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ FUEL PUMP AND FUSE FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, AND RADIATOR WENT OUT ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #894285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, MACrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WITH 3 TO 4 CAR LENGTHS IN OPTIMAL DRY DAYLIGHT WEATHER CONDITIONS THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AT A CRUISING SPEED OF 35MPH, THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #745701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN IT RAINS IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAR, FEELS LIKE VEHICLE IS LOCKING UP, IN ORDER TO DRIVE CONSUMER HAS TO PUT IN TRACKING CONTROL WHEN IT IS ON THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, VEHICLE HAD 6 CODES IN SYSTEM ALL HAD TO BE CLEARED TO VERIFY PROBLEM, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #560725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Calhoun, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99MO3. VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING POOR TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ON CONSTANTLY. DEALER SAID WIRING HARNESS COULD CAUSE IT NOT TO WORK. DEALER WON'T DO RECALL BECAUSE TITLE WAS BRANDED. DEALER WAS WOOD HOUSE FORD IN BLAIR NE. PHONE NO. 402-926-4126. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #886114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER WAS SMELLING SMOKE INSIDE OF VEHICLE , STARTER/ BRAKES AND OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DESIGN FLAW IN ENGINE IS CAUSING A VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL ,GEAR SHIFT AND DOWN IN BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS BECOME WORSE. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE JERKS AND PULSATES WHILE BRAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #884648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AFTER VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP, WOULD RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKES. REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD STICK AFTER BEING RELEASED. WATER WAS GETTING INTO CABLES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC A NEW CALIPER, WHICH WAS REDESIGNED, WOULD BE NEEDED ALONG WITH BRAKE CABLES.
NHTSA complaint #884020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AFTER VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP, WOULD RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKES. REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD STICK AFTER BEING RELEASED. WATER WAS GETTING INTO CABLES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC A NEW CALIPER, WHICH WAS REDESIGNED, WOULD BE NEEDED ALONG WITH BRAKE CABLES.
NHTSA complaint #884020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AFTER VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP, WOULD RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKES. REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD STICK AFTER BEING RELEASED. WATER WAS GETTING INTO CABLES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC A NEW CALIPER, WHICH WAS REDESIGNED, WOULD BE NEEDED ALONG WITH BRAKE CABLES.
NHTSA complaint #884020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ayer, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 34MPH WHEN BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WENT UP AND DOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #881809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHILE BACKING UP AND A RUBBING NOISE IS HEARD, CONSUMER HEARS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, BRAKES ARE GRABBING, ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES (DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISC BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, MACHINED ROTORS, CLEANED/LUBED CALIPER SLIDES, REPACKED WHEEL BEARINGS, ABS SENSOR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #558904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
GAS SENSOR FAILED EARLY ON, HAD IT FIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, HAD THAT FIXED. NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, ONE FRONT BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILISER BAR. CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR "VERIFICATION PURPOSES" UNFORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE POSES A DANGER DUE TO A LOOSE SPRING IN THE BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY "GROSSE POINTE AUTOWORKS" LOCATED 1/2 BLOCK OFF MY HOUSE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. DEALERSHIPS ARE CA 9+ MILES AWAY AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONSUMER FRIENDLY WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THEM. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO RECOURSE REGARDING THE IRRESPONSIVE FORD MOTOR CO.
NHTSA complaint #733673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairport, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairport, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Angelo, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HVAE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR 8 MONTHS AGO, STARTING WITH ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A MISSING VACUUM CAP. NEXT, I ENCOUNTERED A DRIVE BELT THAT WAS ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING, IT WAS SEVERLY CRACKED. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE STICKING CAUSING MAJOR VEERING WHEN STOPPING AT SPEEDS OVER 40, AND THIS ALSO RESULTED IN WARPING MY ROTORS. ALSO, FOR THE FIRST 7 MONTHS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY, BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF FUEL INJECTOR CLEANERS, IT WAS MUCH BETTER. THEN, ON A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP, THE CAR'S IDLE WORSENED, ITS POWER DECREASED,AT A STOP, THE CAR WOULD START HAVING A CONVULSION LIKE FEEL AND SOUND, FROM A STOP, IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE UNTIL A CLICK IN THE ENGINE COULD BE HEARD. THEN THE ACCELERATION WAS VERY LURCHING AND SPUTTERY. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL ENGINE. THE MECHANICS SENT ME TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THE SUPPOSED CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. $400 LATER, MY AIR MASS SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DO MUCH BETTER. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE DURATION OF DRIVING, AND THE CAR HAS CONTINUED ITS LURCHING ACCELERATION AND CONVULSION LIKE PROBLEM. THE UNPREDICTABLENESS IN MY CAR HAS MADE ME SOMEWHAT FEARFUL TO DRIVE BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT, AND IF I CAN AFFORD TO FIX IT. I'D LIKE TO KNOW MY BUYER'S RIGHTS AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY RESOLUTION TO BE HAD..
NHTSA complaint #727789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simpsonville, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
AIR CONDITIONER HOSE IS ROUTED AGAINST THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE, CAUSING IT TO GET HOT AND BURN A HOLE THROUGH THE BRAKE HOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #868013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dungannon, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER , TOTALLING $1200. CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THERE IS STILL NO TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS BRAKES. CURRENTLY, DEALER INDICATED THAT CONSUMER NEEDED WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO COMPUTER. A MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR CARS THAT WATER GETS IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND SHORTS OUT THE COMPUTER. ALSO,CONSUMER SAID IF BRAKING IN SKID CAR WOULD KEEP GOING.
NHTSA complaint #859448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #548088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aberdeen, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAD TO REPLACED BRAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED,INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN LEFT TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT (REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 1996) STEERING WHEEL BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHEN SITTING WITH CAR RUNNING AND IN GEAR MUST PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHTS OR SITTING IN GEAR, SO AS TO NOT GET VIBRATED TO DEATH, MECH-NOT ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, JUST THE WAY CAR IS BUILT.
NHTSA complaint #719709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Windsor, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FAILURE OF DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED POWER ASSIST FAILURE IN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE SITUATION. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND STOPPED CAR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID COLLISION DUE TO DRASTIC REDUCTION IN BRAKING. DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS RECENTLY. GASKET IS UNAVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT FOR OVER 2 WEEKS BECAUSE IT IS BEING REDESIGNED. CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED NOT TO TAKE IN PERSONAL THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECT IS THAT IT IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT NOTICE. CAR RAN ROUGH FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT GAVE NO INDICATION OF POTENTIAL BRAKE FAILURE UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST TOO LATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #717959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union Town, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING AND BRAKES. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE POWER BRAKES FAIL. ALSO, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #832707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FRONT AND REAR BRAKE MAKING EXCESSIVE GROANING NOISE. REPEATED REPAIRS HAVE BEEN NESSARY YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS. YH *MJS
NHTSA complaint #701230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grover Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #713650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seaside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
POSSIBLE DEFECT IN BRAKE DESIGN RESULTING IN REPAIRS SEVEN TIMES WITH MULTIPLE ROTOR, CALIPER, AND PAD REPLACEMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #548198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grimstead, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE PROBLEMS--HAS HAD THE CAR SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #514366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.