139 of the 1,189 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour are about the electrical system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,000 miles.
139
Complaints
2
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 322 ON DAY AND HAD TO HIT THE BREAK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY BREAK FLUID RESIVOUR AND IT WAS EMPTY. I THINK THE PASSENGER SIDE DRUM BREAK IS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #11153195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"TAKARA RECALL" MY HEATER MOTOR IN MY 98 FORD CONTOUR SE JUST STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11153253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I JUST TRADED AND GOT THIS CAR, IT SEEMS TO SWAY IN THE BACK GOING OVER WET ROADS OR BUMPY ROADS NOT SURE WHAT IT IS, BUT I FEAR MY SAFETY AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK AND THE HEATER BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET THINGS FIXED IF THERE IS RECALLS ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10553556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND THE ENGINE HARNESS WIRE OVERHEATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL I HAD TO CHANGE MY RADIATOR DUE TO A LEAK AND THE HARNESS WIRE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THAT WAS WHEN WE FOUND THE WIRE MELTED AND CRACKED AND COULD NOT BE REUSED. THIS HARNESS CONNECTS TO VEHICLE MAIN SUPPLY. WITHOUT HARNESS VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10535001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE'S MAIN POWER SUPPLY BOX HAS WIRING FOR WHICH THE INSULATION COMES OFF EXPOSING LIVE, BARE WIRES. THIS LEADS TO SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH AFFECTS DRIVABILITY (ENGINE RUNS ERRATICALLY AND AFFECTS THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS OPERATION) AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE IF THE WIRING SUFFERS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF THE CAR'S FUEL SUPPLY OR ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL, THE DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL AND BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR COLLISION. FORD DOES NOT SALE REPLACEMENT PARTS NOR ARE PARTS AVAILABLE ON THE SECONDARY MARKET. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE WIRING HARNESS ON MY CAR IS F8RZ14289CA. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE HARNESSES.
NHTSA complaint #10422939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HIS TAIL LAMPS, PARKING LAMPS, AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10402220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS THREE SAFETY RECALLS. HOWEVER, I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME GETTING FORD TO PROVIDE THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE RECALLS ARE: (A) 01S22 - HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND CONNECTOR, (B) 99S14 - HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND (C) 99S23 - FRONT CRASH SENSORS. PRESENTLY MY AIRBAGS ARE OFFLINE AND OFFER NO CRASH PROTECTION. IT'S BEEN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH SINCE I BEGAN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED (BASICALLY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR - THE SELLER DIDN'T DISCLOSE THE RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED TO ME). THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING A FEW DAYS AGO AND IT SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE PERHAPS BURNING. SO NOW I DON'T HAVE DEFROST/DEFOG CAPABILITY. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO GET THE PARTS, BUT FORD HASN'T SHIPPED THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10396745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE V6 MANUAL TRANS VIN #[XXX] THE UNDER THE HOOD WIRING HARNESS IS FAILING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART BUT FORD CONTINUES TO SAY THAT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING HARNESS HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OR CRUMBLED OFF CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO RUN OR POTENTIAL DEADLY FIRE NO HELP FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10386023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE EXPOSED AND CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 284,371.
NHTSA complaint #10355185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING CONNECTOR THAT FEEDS THE HVAC SYSTEM BURNED AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR PLUG AND MAIN FUSE BLOCK AT THE POINT OF THE CONNECTOR. THIS WIRE WAS A SIZE 10 AWG AND IS OVERSIZED FOR THE CONNECTOR THAT IT IS USED FOR. THIS CAUSED A FIRE AT THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE PICTURE IS YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY.
NHTSA complaint #10345853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 92,000.
NHTSA complaint #10344054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HEARD ABOUT THE FORD CONTOUR ENGINE WIRING HARNESS RECALL ONLY BY INTERNET. MY CAR IS A FORD CONTOUR SPORT 1998. THE WIRE INSULATION IS PEELING OFF IN THE WHOLE HARNESS, AND THE CAR IS STOPPED NOW. MILEAGE IS APPROX. 110000. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY MESSAGE FROM FORD. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10330421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRING INSULATION ON MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR IS LITERALLY FALLING OFF THE WIRES. I AM AFRAID TO TOUCH ANY WIRE BECAUSE THE INSULATION JUST FLAKES OFF LEAVING BARE WIRE. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND APPARENTLY IS FAIRLY COMMON IN THIS MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10325248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS BREAKING AND FALLING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10323215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND RADIO FAILED, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10288677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE WIRING AROUND THE HEATING UNIT SENSORS HAVE DETERIORATED. THE CODING HAS CRACKED OFF THE OTHER WIRES, CAUSING THEM TO BE EXPOSED. THIS ALLOWS ALL OF THE WIRES TO TOUCH EACH OTHER, WHICH COULD CAUSE A SHORT IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL OPERABLE, BUT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE BECOMES EXTREMELY HIGH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS 15 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V230000. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10267628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR LX WITH ONLY APPROX. 53,000 MILES ON IT. I AM ON THE 4TH (FOURTH) ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT: AUGUST 2004, OCTOBER 2005, AUGUST 2006 AND NOW, SEPTEMBER 2008. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF FORD VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10242759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. ALL ENGINE WIRE HARNESS INSULATION IS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF. BARE WIRE AT MOST OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONNECTORS. UNKNOWN DAMAGE UNDER WIRE WRAPPING. EXISTING FORD RECALL COVER 95-97 YEAR MODELS. SUBJECT VEHICLE IS A 98 MODEL YEAR. 2. STILL WAITING FOR THE FIRST MAJOR MELTDOWN. CONNECTOR WIRES ARE PHYSICALLY PULLED APART TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. 3. NO REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10233494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE GEAR SHIFTING SYSTEM REPAIRED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,300.
NHTSA complaint #10224197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION IS CRUMBLING LEAVING EXPOSED WIRES. FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD CONTOURS (ALL YEARS), BUT THAT A RECALL HAS ONLY BEEN ISSUED FOR 1995-1997 VEHICLES. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS NOT WORKING, SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY STOPS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT PROBLEMS ARE IN WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10213101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. I BOUGHT IT USED, AND WITHIN A 1 YEAR REMAINDER OF A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. I WAS NEVER OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL DEFECTS AND NHTSA RECALLS THAT ARE STILL IN EFFECT FOR THIS CAR MODEL YEAR. ONE OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE BLOWER RESISTOR WAS PERFORMED TWICE, HOWEVER IT WAS NEVER DONE TO MY SATISFACTION AND IT DID NOT MEET THE STANDARDS OF QUALITY AS EXPECTED FOR THE RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO KEEP DRIVING IT AFTER WHAT I HAVE READ. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS VERY NEGLIGENT IN FOLLOWING UP WITH CONSUMERS ON THESE ISSUES, AND THEY KEEP AN OUTDATED DATABASE OF FORMER OWNERS WHICH THEY FAIL TO UPDATE WITH THE CURRENT OWNERS IN CASES WHERE THE CAR OWNERSHIP HAS CHANGED HANDS. I AM KIND OF CLOSE TO HIRING A LAWYER TO SUE THEM OVER THESE RECALL ISSUES. WHAT SHOULD I DO? ARE THEY STILL OBLIGATED TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUES AT THEIR EXPENSE? I AM CERTAINLY NOT ABOUT TO PUT ONE DIME OF MY OWN MONEY INTO THAT CAR TO FIX ISSUES COVERED BY RECALLS. AGAIN, I DO NOT WISH TO FIGHT OR WRANGLE WITH A COMPANY THAT IS SO AWFUL WHO PUTS OUT A TERRIBLE AND CHEAP PRODUCT LIKE THE FORD CONTOUR, THEN WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR CAR. HOWEVER, IF THERE ARE FORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY BOUND TO, I WILL RESERVE MY RIGHT TO PURSUE THIS UNDER THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. PLEASE ADVISE. SINCERELY, MR. MCDONOUGH
NHTSA complaint #10209371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND MELTED HOUSING MATERIALS WERE FOUND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED FORD WHO STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*- THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER (MAROONE FORD) AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THAT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BUT SHE WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10176557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SVT, THIS IS MY THIRD ONE. EVERY ONE I PURCHASE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, THE WIRES IN THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE COMPUTER AND CAR CRACK AND THE COATING JUST FALLS RIGHT OFF, WHICH ALLOWS THE WIRES TO THE COMPUTER TO TOUCH WHICH SHORTS THE COMPUTER AND MAKES THE CAR NO LONGER START, IT WILL CRANK BUT IT WILL NOT START CAUSE THE COMPUTER IN SHORTED AND CONFUSED SO THERE IS NO FUEL AND NO SPARK GOING TO THE FUEL RAIL OR THE COIL PACK. AT THIS POINT THE CAR NEEDS A WIRE HARNESS AND A PCM AND THIS ALL COSTS CLOSE TO $3000 OF WHICH I DO NOT HAVE TO FIX IT. MY FRIEND WORKED FOR GENERAL ELECTRIC AND HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AT THE FACTORY WHEN THE COATING IS HEATED TO HIGH ONCE IT DRYS ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE COATING CRACKS AND FLAKES OFF. FORD SAYS THEY WILL NOT HELP ME ALTHOUGH ITS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THESE SVT CONTOURS I AM HOPING THIS CAN HELP ALL US FORD LOVERS.
NHTSA complaint #10175661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THERE'S A RECALL ON 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR ( #99M03 AT WWW.CONTOUR.ORG/FAQ/RECALL/99M0). THE RECALL IS FOR A COMPLETE ENGINE HARNESS FAILURE , DUE TO CRACKING AND BRITTLE WIRES. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 06/97, AND I HAVE A COMPLETE WIRE HARNESS FAILURE. THEY WANT OVER $3000.00 TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THEY ARE ONLY COVERING SOME VEHICLE. THEY SHOULD COVER ALL CONTOUR'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A MATTER THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD TO GET AWAY WITH.
NHTSA complaint #10172771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE HARNESS, COOLING FAN HARNESS, AND POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10169842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, ALL POWER FAILED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, ALONG WITH STEERING AND BRAKE FAILURES. THE SERVICE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE POWER FAILURE HAD HAPPENED 6 TIMES SINCE 2001. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10169381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME BRITTLE AND THE INSULATION CRACKED AND FELL OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE ALSO DISINTEGRATED DUE TO OVERHEATING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SERVICE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VIN DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (01V230000), FORD RECALL # 01S22. UPDATED 1/17/2007 -
NHTSA complaint #10167465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
RECURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND DANGEROUS EXPOSED WIRING RESULTING FROM DETERIORATING UNDER HOOD WIRING HARNESS. SAME PROBLEM EXISTING ON 1995-1997 CONTOURS ADDRESSED BY OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 99M03. FORD DEALER EXAMINED AND ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM EXISTS BUT WILL NOT REPAIR AS ONP 99M03 DOESN'T COVER 1998 CONTOUR. SEE HTTP://HENNING.WS/FORDCONTOUR.CFM FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10148175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAVE MANY KNOWN PROBLEMS, THE ONE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING AN ISSUE WITH IS A FAULTY HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT CAUSES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO GO OUT CREATING A SITUATION WHERE A DRIVER CAN NOT SEE THEIR SAFE SPEED AND WORSE THE RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO STOP WORKING, PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM SEEING YOUR CAR FROM BEHIND. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURNING LIGHTS WORK BUT NOT THE RUNNING LIGHTS. ON A DARK ROAD THE CAR IS NOT VISIBLE FROM BEHIND. BOTH THESE CONDITIONS MAKE IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL FROM FORD COVERING THIS EXACT PROBLEM HOWEVER FOR SOME REASON THE FORD CAN NOT TELL ME, MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. I HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. SO FAR NO ONE AT THE DEALER WILL HELP ME TO DETERMINE WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH THEY AGREE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND CALLS TO FORD HAVE GOTTEN ME NO WHERE AS WELL. WHAT CAN I DO NOW? IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10146563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.