1996 Ford Contour headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

I OWN A 1996 FORD CONTOUR [XXX] THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM (RECALL 99S14) BACK IN 1999. UPON BRINGING THE CAR INTO AN BROOKDALE FORD (BROOKLYN CENTER, MN), THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED ON MY CAR (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS SERVICE). THEY REFUSED TO HELP. EVEN IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON MY CAR, THE FACT THAT THE SAME TWO PARTS OF MY CAR (INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS) FAILED, TELLS ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10110741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

I OWN A 1996 FORD CONTOUR [XXX] THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM (RECALL 99S14) BACK IN 1999. UPON BRINGING THE CAR INTO AN BROOKDALE FORD (BROOKLYN CENTER, MN), THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED ON MY CAR (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS SERVICE). THEY REFUSED TO HELP. EVEN IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON MY CAR, THE FACT THAT THE SAME TWO PARTS OF MY CAR (INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS) FAILED, TELLS ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10110741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

I OWN A 1996 FORD CONTOUR [XXX] THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM (RECALL 99S14) BACK IN 1999. UPON BRINGING THE CAR INTO AN BROOKDALE FORD (BROOKLYN CENTER, MN), THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED ON MY CAR (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS SERVICE). THEY REFUSED TO HELP. EVEN IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON MY CAR, THE FACT THAT THE SAME TWO PARTS OF MY CAR (INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS) FAILED, TELLS ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10110741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CAR STALLS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, OR WHEN PARKING SLOPES. CAR STALLED WHEN STARTING UP FROM RED LIGHT IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA INTERSECTIONS. HEADLAMPS OUT OF ALIGNMENT (DON'T SHINE DOWN ONTO ROAD, BEAMS NOT CENTERED). AIR BAG LIGHT ON CONTROL PANELS BLINKS SPORADICALLY, FREQUENTLY; ANXIETY THAT AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COMMENT ON STALLING: "PROBABLY SOMETHING STUPID" AND WASN'T ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A VACUUM TUBE. DEALER CHARGED $95 TO TELL ME THAT THE MEMORY IN THE VEHICLE DIDN'T GIVE ANY CODES FOR THE STALLING OR AIR BAG PROBLEMS, THEN ADDED THAT THE MEMORY IS WIPED CLEAN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. QUESTION: IF THEY KNOW THAT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHY CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FOR A POINTLESS DIAGNOSTIC? HEADLIGHTS STILL OUT OF ALIGNMENT AFTER HAVING BEEN "ADJUSTED" BY DEALER IN JANUARY 2005.

NHTSA complaint #10107781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10048678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS ARE INOPERTIVE, CAUSING IMPAIRED VISION. DEALER STATES HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS MELTED, CAUSING ALL LIGHTS TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10037654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE SO CLOUDY THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ON LOW BEAMS.HAS BEEN EVIDENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN '1999.

NHTSA complaint #10030714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10024372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10024372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT TO GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALL ONCE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM HAS REOCURRED. MANUFACTURER STATED SINCE THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED ONCE, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. *PH *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10004296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH TERMINALS AND WIRING HARNESS TERMINALS EXPERIENCED HEAT DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, TAIL LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS FAILED. ROBIN FORD DEALER, 100 N. MCDADE BLVD, GLENOLDEN, PA INDICATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 96 FORD CONTOUR BUT MY VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. MY VIN IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10000197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS TO MY CONTOUR HAVE CLOUDED OVER (ON THE INSIDE) AND DO NOT ALLOW THE LAMPS TO PUT OUT MUCH LIGHT. THIS IS A PRETTY BAD SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENING. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO - TO WHERE I NEED TO REPLACE THEM. THE DEALER NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM CAUSED BY A HEAD LAMP SEAL FAILURE, BUT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL ISSUE. COST IS $250 FOR PARTS PLUS LABOR. IF THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE FOR FORD SERVICE STAFF, WHY IS IT IGNORED BY FORD? YOUR DATABASE SHOWS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE. DT

NHTSA complaint #770729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT FLASH AND THE STEARING WHEEL COLUMN SMOKES WHEN THE FLASHER IS IN PLACE. MR

NHTSA complaint #768500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THEIR COMPUTER TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE, CONSUMER HAS PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. (99V10300)

NHTSA complaint #564659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

THIS CAR IS A LEMON - IT IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #763604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

MULTI-FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE PART # IS: SW-5042.

NHTSA complaint #763060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

MULTI-FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE PART # IS: SW-5042.

NHTSA complaint #763060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATED THAT INSTRUMENT PANELS WERE INOPERATIVE, CONSUMER'S RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL 99S14 REGARDING INSTRUMENT LIGHT FAILURE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND RECALL NOTICE TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP WAS RELUCTANT TO HONOR RECALL, AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANAGEMENT,DEALERSHIP FINALLY HONORED RECALL, WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME WITH VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED A LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #563734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

CONSUMER STATED THAT TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, CONSUMER'S RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL 99S14 REGARDING TAIL LIGHT FAILURE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND RECALL NOTICE TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP WAS RELUCTANT TO HONOR RECALL, AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANAGEMENT,DEALERSHIP FINALLY HONORED RECALL, WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME WITH VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED A LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #563734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS/ TAIL LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, THERE WAS NO WARNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. ALSO, VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE ALTERNATORS WITHIN THREE MONTHS. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED AS OF YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8007093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATES RECEIVED RECALL 99V103000 NOTIFICATION. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED OTHER RECALLS, BUT INFORMED CONSUMER PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR HEADLIGHT SWITCH RECALL, AND HE SHOULD RETURN IN 7 DAYS. WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP HE WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL, AND ANY WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #8000657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO PARK LIGHTS, NONE OF THE PARK LIGHTS WORK--FRONT OR BACK, LEFT OR RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO HEAD LIGHTS, ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK--THERE ARE NOT TAIL LIGHTS OR DASH LIGHTS. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK, SUCH AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. THIS OCCURED DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH KANSAS CITY. WE COULD NOT SEE OUR SPEEDOMETER, AND CARS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR COULD NOT SEE US UNTIL THEY APPROACHED AND THEIR LIGHTS SHOWN ON OUR CAR--VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #755018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO PARK LIGHTS, NONE OF THE PARK LIGHTS WORK--FRONT OR BACK, LEFT OR RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO HEAD LIGHTS, ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK--THERE ARE NOT TAIL LIGHTS OR DASH LIGHTS. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK, SUCH AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. THIS OCCURED DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH KANSAS CITY. WE COULD NOT SEE OUR SPEEDOMETER, AND CARS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR COULD NOT SEE US UNTIL THEY APPROACHED AND THEIR LIGHTS SHOWN ON OUR CAR--VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #755018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO PARK LIGHTS, NONE OF THE PARK LIGHTS WORK--FRONT OR BACK, LEFT OR RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED TO HEAD LIGHTS, ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK--THERE ARE NOT TAIL LIGHTS OR DASH LIGHTS. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK, SUCH AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. THIS OCCURED DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH KANSAS CITY. WE COULD NOT SEE OUR SPEEDOMETER, AND CARS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR COULD NOT SEE US UNTIL THEY APPROACHED AND THEIR LIGHTS SHOWN ON OUR CAR--VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #755018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATED THAT INSTRUMENT PANELS WERE INOPERATIVE, CONSUMER'S RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL 99S14 REGARDING INSTRUMENT LIGHT FAILURE, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND RECALL NOTICE TO DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP WAS RELUCTANT TO HONOR RECALL, AFTER SPEAKING WITH MANAGEMENT,DEALERSHIP FINALLY HONORED RECALL, WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME WITH VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED A LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #563734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE SERVICING DEPT AT THE FORD DEALER AND OTHER AUTO SERVICING CENTER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY TO THIS DAY IT IS ON. AT ONE TIME THE ENTIRE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND REAR BRAKES LIGHTS WENT OUT. IT CURRENTLY SHUT ITS SELF OFF ( STALLS) AND GET HOT. THE ENGINE SOUNDS REVVED UP AND SHORTLY AFTER THE AC UNIT WENT OUT.EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT/ THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED SOME WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED ALL THE FLUIDS ARE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE AND IT STILL STALLS AND OVERHEATS FOR NO REASON. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS ELECTRICAL MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #751712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE SERVICING DEPT AT THE FORD DEALER AND OTHER AUTO SERVICING CENTER COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY TO THIS DAY IT IS ON. AT ONE TIME THE ENTIRE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND REAR BRAKES LIGHTS WENT OUT. IT CURRENTLY SHUT ITS SELF OFF ( STALLS) AND GET HOT. THE ENGINE SOUNDS REVVED UP AND SHORTLY AFTER THE AC UNIT WENT OUT.EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT/ THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED SOME WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED ALL THE FLUIDS ARE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE AND IT STILL STALLS AND OVERHEATS FOR NO REASON. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS ELECTRICAL MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT.

NHTSA complaint #751712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

RECALL 99V103000. REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #885283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

RECALL 99V103000. REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #885283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.