49 of the
314 complaints about the 1997 Ford Contour are about the
electrical system — 16% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
112,000 miles.
THE WIRING HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED TO WHERE THE ENGINE RUNS LEAN AND DIES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING I COULD UNTIL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COOLED THEN NOTICED THE WIRING ON THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER. THE MORE I LOOKED I COULD SEE ALL THE INJECTOR PLUGS WERE DETERIORATED BADLY WITH NUMBER 4 BEING WORSE. JUST TOUCHING THE HARNESS CAUSES THE INSULATION TO FLAKE OFF AND BARE WIRES TO BE EXPOSED. I PURCHASED A CODE READER TO ALLOW PROPER INDICATIONS OF WHAT CODES WERE INDICATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NOW FORD WANTS ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER SO THEY CAN CHARGE ME AND TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW AND CAN PLAINLY SEE!
NHTSA complaint #10469368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesImperial, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD GROUND IN THE MAIN LINE HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10247601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPawnee, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:CONTROLS/WIRING) IN 2001. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 99V103000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) IN 1999. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,794 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08
NHTSA complaint #10195359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBrandon, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I HAVE 1997 FORD CONTOUR SE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY, RADIATOR LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY, RUNS POORLY. I HAD ALL CHECKED WHEN THEY HAPPEN ON MULTILPLE OCCASIONS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BY A FREIND THAT HE HAD HEARD OF A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND FORD WAS FIXING THEM, AND I SHOULD CALL THE DEALER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS A RECALL BUT BASED ON MY VIN I WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE AGE OF MY CAR. THIS WAS DONE AT BRANDON FORD AROUND THE JULY/AUGUST TIME FRAME. THINKING THAT I HAD TO DO THE REPAIR MYSELF, DUE TO THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP (OVER $3000.00), I STARTED LOOKING FOR PARTS MYSELF ON THE INTERNET. THERE I FOUND THE RECALL/EXT. WARRANTY INFO. 99M03 AND IN THIS IT STATES 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILE. I AGAIN GOT HOPE THAT MAYBE THEY HAD MISSREAD THE RECALL AT THE DEALER SHIP. I THEN RETURNED WITH VIN AND THE INFO 99M03 IN HAD AND ONE OF THEIR SERVICE ADVISERS CONFIRMED THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED. I THEN MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY TO DROP THE CAR OFF AT 8:30AM TO HAVE IT DONE. I CALL THAT SAME DAY AT 2:30PM TO CHECK TO SEE IF AND FOR HOW LONG I WOUNLD NEED A RENTAL CAR. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO IT'S AGE AND THAT IT RAN OUT ON 10/26/06. HAD THE FIRST PERSON LOOKED THE INFO. UP PROPERLY BACK IN THE JULY/AUGUST TIME FRAME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE THEM APPROX. 3 DAYS TO DO, AND FOR ONLY GIVES THEM 6-7 HRS TO DO IT, SO THEY LOSE MONEY TO DO THESE REPAIRS. BASED ON THE 99M03 INFO I SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED A LETTER STATING THE EXT. WARRANTY WHICH I DID NOT, BUT HAD RECIEVED OTHER RECALL INFO.
NHTSA complaint #10177390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT, WHEN VEHICLE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD STOP WHEN MAKING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, OR WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10132771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesWillow Springs, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA WEBSITE INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT. FORD WILL NOT FIX VEHICLE FOR CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10129328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,708 milesVillas, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 2 MINUTES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10119131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPavilion, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO MELT.*AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V103000. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #10099997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesStatesville, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10097767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverbank, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON THEY OPERATED PROPERLY BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 10/19/1999. RECALL# 99V103000 SUBJECT: HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10057363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Daytona Beach, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOWN A/C DOES NOT WORK, BACK WINDOW SWITCHES DO NOT WORK, KILLED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10016788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Daytona Beach, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOWN A/C DOES NOT WORK, BACK WINDOW SWITCHES DO NOT WORK, KILLED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10016788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacremento, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS DUE TO LIGHT SWITCH HARNESS CONNECTORS MELTING, SHORTING OUT THE WIRES.
NHTSA complaint #8015232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. IT NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION, AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART ENGINE TO MAKE IT WORKS AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. IT NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION, AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART ENGINE TO MAKE IT WORKS AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Southampton, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACE SENSOR, IAC VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, TRANSMISSION, SHIFT ASSEMBLE.
NHTSA complaint #9004255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cordova, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRES INSIDE OF BATTERY WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN HE STARTING VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #896470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WIRES ATTACHED TO ENGINE WERE MISSING AND DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #896350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Thomas, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DURING REPLACEMENT OF HEATER BLOWER SWITCH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND CHARRED BLACK. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #894186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I CARRIED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER COMPLETED THE RECALL WORK, BUT DID BILL FORD FOR IT. THE DEALERSHIP LATER OFFERED TO FIX THE SYMPTOMS THAT THE FAULTY PARTS WERE CAUSING FOR A FEE OR $279. I DID NOT HAVE $279 AT THE TIME TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE SO I PURCHASED THE PARTS FOR $101. AFTER I HAD INSTALLED THE PARTS, I SAW A NOTE IN THE PACKAGE THAT DESCRIBED WHAT THE DEALER SOLD TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY SOLD ME THE RECALL REPAIR KIT. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND ORIGINAL PART TO PROVE THIS IS THE CASE. *AK ALSO TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE,HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT, CONSUMER STATES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WARRANTY WORK , CONSUMER STATES HE HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE RECALLED PART AND THAT HTE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK, THAT THEY CLAIM THEY REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS BILLED FOR THE WARRANTY REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #746500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gouldsboro, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
HEATER FAN CONTROL SWITCH BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUTDOWN WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT DEFECT RESULTED FROM FACTORY WIRING HARNESS BEING TOO SMALL A GUAGE OF WIRING TO CARRY ELECTRICAL LOAD. REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS WAS OF A HIGHER GUAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #885770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paso Roble, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. WATER TEMPERATURE GAUAGE WOULD FLUCTUATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC A TSB WAS SENT BY MANUFACTURER ON CAUSE OF PROBLEM. SEEMED THAT COMPUTER CHIP CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE. MECHANIC REMOVED BATTERY CABLE & LET VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE BEFORE REHOOKING CABLES. THIS CAUSED COMPUTER CHIP TO RESET ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #879126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garretson, SDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WIRES ARE FUSED TOGETHER AND SHORTED OUT. NO FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENNED. FIRE WENT OUT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #739343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wesley Chapel, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
AC FAN / BLOWER SPEED SWITCH FAILED AT THE 3RD SPEED SETTING, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE CONTROL ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #735371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.