1997 Ford Contour brake problems

PARKING BRAKE

COULD NOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER - NO MECHANIC COULD FIND OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE WILL NOT GO OFF -VERY COSTLY. IT STALLS WHEN RAINING, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK, IT HAS TO WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL MOVE, THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME LOOSE, CAUSING MELTING OF HOUSING, EVERY VALVE IMAGINABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BELT SQUEALS WHEN AIR OR DEFROST TURNED ON.

NHTSA complaint #10260956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE DROVE UPHILL AND INTO A PARKING LOT AND STOPPED BY EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 141,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE HYDRAULIC VACUUM LINE WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 02/01/08

NHTSA complaint #10197454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

NHTSA complaint #10049024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10049024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS THREE TIMES. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10012324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKE DISC PADS, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8016502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, 6000 MILES LATER THEY NEEDED REPLACED AGAIN, BOTH TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER 11000 MILES LATER THEY FAILED AGAIN AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, 6000 MILES LATER THEY NEEDED REPLACED AGAIN, BOTH TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER 11000 MILES LATER THEY FAILED AGAIN AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REPAIR (00V-075) DEALERSHIP STATED VEHICLE DID NOT CONTAIN RECALL PART TO BE REPLACED. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

1. PARKING BRAKE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING IN WET WEATHER WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS LEFT ENGAGED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OUTDOORS. LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NEARLY CAUSING TWO ACCIDENTS. ALSO MADE ASCENDING ICY HILLS FROM A STOP VERY DIFFICULT, AS BOTH REAR WHEELS WOULD LOCK. THIS SOMETIMES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARD INTO PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. 2. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ONLY AT VERY LOW ENGINE SPEEDS (LESS THAN 2500 RPM), CAUSING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION, AND EXCESS USE OF BRAKES WHEN DESCENDING LONG, STEEP GRADES. DRIVING WITH KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM ALLOWED ME TO AVOID SITUATIONS WHERE RAPID ACCELERATION OR EXTENDED PERIODS OF BRAKE USE WERE NECESSARY, BUT PROBLEM STILL REDUCED MARGIN OF SAFETY. BOTH THESE PROBLEMS WERE EVENTUALLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER NUMEROUS DEALERSHIP DENIALS AND DELAYS. DATES AND MILEAGES OF COMPONENTS FAILURES ARE ESTIMATES, AND NOT EXACT.

NHTSA complaint #724589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

1. PARKING BRAKE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING IN WET WEATHER WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS LEFT ENGAGED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OUTDOORS. LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NEARLY CAUSING TWO ACCIDENTS. ALSO MADE ASCENDING ICY HILLS FROM A STOP VERY DIFFICULT, AS BOTH REAR WHEELS WOULD LOCK. THIS SOMETIMES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARD INTO PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. 2. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ONLY AT VERY LOW ENGINE SPEEDS (LESS THAN 2500 RPM), CAUSING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION, AND EXCESS USE OF BRAKES WHEN DESCENDING LONG, STEEP GRADES. DRIVING WITH KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM ALLOWED ME TO AVOID SITUATIONS WHERE RAPID ACCELERATION OR EXTENDED PERIODS OF BRAKE USE WERE NECESSARY, BUT PROBLEM STILL REDUCED MARGIN OF SAFETY. BOTH THESE PROBLEMS WERE EVENTUALLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER NUMEROUS DEALERSHIP DENIALS AND DELAYS. DATES AND MILEAGES OF COMPONENTS FAILURES ARE ESTIMATES, AND NOT EXACT.

NHTSA complaint #724589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, CAUSING ERRACTIC PERFORMANCE OF ABS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA complaint #857096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

HI, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD DOSEN'T RECALL THE 97 CONTOURS.WE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND THE E.G.R VALVE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED.THE P.C. VALVE HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES.THE EGR PRESSURE FEEDBACK /BACK PRESSURE WAS REPLACED.THE ROTOR ON THE BRAKES WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 58 DAYS.WE TOOK THE CAR IN 5 TIMES TELLING THEM ABOUT THIS BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. RECALL ABOUT WIRE HARNESS. THEY SAID COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN. UNTILL MY HUSBAND TOOK IT FOR THE 4 TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS FULL OF THIS FOGGY SMOKE. HE MADE A SERVICE ADVISIOR COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE CAR FULL OF SMOKE.FOR THREE MONTHS 10-9-99 UNTILL PRESENT .WE HAVE HAD TO ENDURE HEADACHES VOMITING AND LOSS OF OUR VOICES BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN.WE NOW HAVE PICTURES OF NEGLECT OF THE SAFETY OF MY HUSBAND AND 5 CHILDREN. THE BURNED MELTED PARTS THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BACK ON 10-9-99 IT TOOK UNTILL 1-22-00 AND AS OF RIGHT NOW 2- 10-00 ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 7 DAY'S. MAJOR DEFECTS WITH THE 97 CONTOUR.WE THINK THEY SOLD ALL THERE CNG CARS TO PEOPLE AND DIDN'T TELL THEM. I KNOW THEY SURE DIDN'T TELL US. 3 TIMES ON THE OIL CHANGE PAPER THEY MENTION ABOUT THE SELENOID.YOU DON'T HAVE THAT DONE WITH A OIL CHANGE.MAYBE YOU GUY'S CAN CHECK INTO IT? WHY ELSE WOULD OWNERS OF JUST THE 97 CONTOURS HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS? CHECK YOUR T S B PAGES.PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO WE CAN'T TRUST ANYONE TO FIX IT RIGHT WHEN WE WERE TOLD BY FORD SERVICE PEOPLE THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH ALL OF THESE CARS.

NHTSA complaint #718571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED A BAR IN THE REAR BRAKES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.ALSO, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE PINS IN THE REAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #852971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE DISINGAGED AND TRAVELED OUT OF PARK INTO STREET. DEAREL HAS BEEN CONTACETD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON.

NHTSA complaint #852863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ROTORS ARE WARPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THREE SETS OF ROTORS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #851634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY MAKE A ROARING SOUND. DEALER CLAIMS THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #845082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #844877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEM AT 61000. ALSO, HAD TO CHANGE TIRES AND BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #844803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE FLUX HOSE, THERE WAS A LOT OF FRICTION ABRASION DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF HOSE. THE ABRASION WAS SO EXCESSIVE THAT IT THINNED THE HOSE TO THE INNER LINER, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PRESSURE CAUSED IT TO BURST, AND LOSE ALL BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES. THE PART AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE DEALER CHARGED $328 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT NO CHARGE, SINCE IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT FACTORY.

NHTSA complaint #706706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 45 TO 50 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE BRAKE NOISE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #825579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

PROBLEMS OCCURRED SINCE CAR WAS LESS THAN 500 MILES OLD. THE CUTTING OFF OF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THAT TIME AND STILL OCCURS AFTER 17,600 MILES. PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND. LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN THE ABS AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN DRIVING DURING A SNOWY WEATHER. LOSS CONTROL OF CAR AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE DRIVER SEAT MOVES FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA complaint #702190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.