FaultScore

FaultScore report

2000 Ford Contour problems

Owners have filed 248 complaints about the 2000 Ford Contour with NHTSA between 2000 and 2020. The largest single group is the body & structure. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 7 worst.

B

FaultScore 31/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Contour.

How this is worked out

The numbers

248

Complaints

12

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

11

Injuries reported

55,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

18%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 19 vs 50 Severity 50 vs 50 Early failure 31 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Ford Contour. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 50
9.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 31
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2000 compares with every other Ford Contour

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2000 Ford Contour

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 79 31.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 46,000 mi

Median failure at 57,000 miles

Median failure at 59,000 miles

Median failure at 57,500 miles

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 87,000 mi

Median failure at 64,007 miles

Brakes 10 4.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 94,800 mi

Airbags 9 3.6%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,100 mi

Seats 5 2.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 64,200 mi

Equipment & Accessories 4 1.6%
Suspension 4 1.6%

Median failure at 27,201 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 1.6%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Seat Belts 3 1.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 61,600 mi

Lights 3 1.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 167,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 1.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 1 0.4%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Fuel Pump 17 28.8%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 11 18.6%
Gasoline 9 15.3%
Tank Assembly 9 15.3%
Fan/Motor 4 6.8%
Interior/Under Dash 3 5.1%
Wiring 3 5.1%
Engine 3 5.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 1.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 9 8.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 34 32.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 25 23.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 17 16.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 12 11.3%
150,000+ miles 7 6.6%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2000 Ford Contour 4-DR.

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jul 2000 peak 10 Jun 2020

NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Ford Contour

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP06004 Opened 23 Oct 2006 Closed 10 Apr 2007 STRUCTURE

INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE

THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.

Recalls on the 2000 Ford Contour

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2000077 43,458 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both PCRVs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will install improved PCRVs in the rear brake system.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 167,000 miles Hueytown, AL Crash 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10482382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Hueytown, AL Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10482382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles CO Springs, CO 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING, LOOSE BEZEL - THE WARPING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DOES CREATE LOOSE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS (SUCH AS THE DEFROST BEZEL) THAT WAS A PROJECTILE DURING A QUICK STOP AT A RED LIGHT - FOR THOSE READING - I DO INCLUDE PERSONAL INFO - MY NAME IS [XXX] IF YOU COULD HELP WITH INFO RE THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10361440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 186,887 miles OAK Hills, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STARTER OF THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. A FIRE WAS STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,887. UPDATED 09/19/07

NHTSA complaint #10200887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Bloomington, CA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED THE SEAT BELT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10065055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,200 miles Westerville, OH Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

2000 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT AUTOMATIC, 64,200 MILES. MY PREGNANT WIFE AND I WERE REAR ENDED BY A MAN IN A FORD CARGO VAN DOING ABOUT 40 MPH, NOT PAYING ATTENTION. CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY AND WARM, ABOUT 1:15 PM. I WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, WAITING FOR A FORD TAURUS IN FRONT OF ME TO TURN LEFT ONTO A SIDE STREET. DURING THE COLLISION THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS BROKE INTO A RECLINED POSITION (WE BOTH ENDED UP LOOKING AT THE ROOF BECAUSE OF THE SEAT POSITION) WHICH WOULD HAVE CRUSHED THE LEGS OF REAR SEAT PASSENGERS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME UNBUCKLED AS WELL. I WAS PUSHED INTO THE TAURUS BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10046913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Kansas City, MO

AIR BAGS

DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11329060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11329060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11329060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,800 miles Roselle Park, NJ

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.

NHTSA complaint #10648240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,800 miles Roselle Park, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.

NHTSA complaint #10648240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Milford, NH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE, LOSE POWER, SURGE AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #10503437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Hueytown, AL Crash 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10482382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Hueytown, AL Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10482382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 173,000 miles Fond DU LAC, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FILLER PIPE GROMMET WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,000.

NHTSA complaint #10425653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Victor, NY

STRUCTURE

CARS DASHBOARD GOT SO HOT THAT IT CURLED UP CAUSING THE FRONT DEFROSTERS NOT TO WORK AND ALSO PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10400911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,400 miles Wilson, SC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPILL ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER GROMMET FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,400.

NHTSA complaint #10367138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles CO Springs, CO 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING, LOOSE BEZEL - THE WARPING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DOES CREATE LOOSE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS (SUCH AS THE DEFROST BEZEL) THAT WAS A PROJECTILE DURING A QUICK STOP AT A RED LIGHT - FOR THOSE READING - I DO INCLUDE PERSONAL INFO - MY NAME IS [XXX] IF YOU COULD HELP WITH INFO RE THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10361440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manassas, VA

STRUCTURE

2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISION. THE DEFROST VENT POPPED OUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW DOES NOT FIT. THE CURLING OF THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DECENT DEFROST AND VENTING, WHICH IN ADDITION TO THE 6 INCHES OF DASHBOARD THAT HAS CURLED UP, INTERFERES WITH ADEQUATE SIGHT, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS (STRANGERS) STOP ME OUT-OF-THE-BLUE AND INQUIRE ABOUT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY ALSO HAVE. BASED ON THE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THIS DEFECT, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY FORD!

NHTSA complaint #10353849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,161 miles Mentor, OH

STRUCTURE

IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA complaint #10321059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,161 miles Mentor, OH

VISIBILITY

IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO.

NHTSA complaint #10321059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Bloomfield, NM

VISIBILITY

VISORS FALL OUT OF ROOF WHEN TOUCHED, HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA complaint #10314824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,125 miles Metairie, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED,A WEEK LATER ENGINE WOULD KILL WHEN DRIVING. CHANGED AIR FILTER,OIL,AND FUEL LINE WAS CLEARED. A MONTH LATER SAME THING IS HAPPENING. MECHANIC SAYS MAY NEED NEW FUEL PUMP,BUT NOT SURE THAT WILL CORRECT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10243822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,453 miles West Sacramneto, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY REAR BRAKES WILL NOT STAY ON MY CAR AND KEEP FALLING OFF INTO THE DRUMS.

NHTSA complaint #10241261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles NEW City, NY

STRUCTURE

DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK.

NHTSA complaint #10224388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles NEW City, NY

VISIBILITY

DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK.

NHTSA complaint #10224388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER IN 2002 IN RESPONSE TO FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 01B78 TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE WARPING AT THE TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND NO SERVICE WAS REQUIRED. THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, THE WARPING STARTED TO BECOME VISIBLE. EARLIER IN THE MONTH, THE WARPING APPLIED SO MUCH STRESS ON THE VENT COVER THAT THE COVER SNAPPED OUT AND LANDED IN THE FRONT SEATS. THE WARPING INCREASED GREATLY AND VISIBILITY IS REDUCED ON OBJECTS CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10221313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,359 miles Irwin, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10208642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,359 miles Irwin, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10208642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,359 miles Irwin, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10208642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn Park, MN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VINYL DASHBOARD ON MY 200 FORD CONTOUR SVT IS WARPING CAUSING THE VINYL TO RISE INTO THE DRIVER FOV.

NHTSA complaint #10205376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.