FaultScore

Ford Contour acceleration problems

126 of the 4,570 complaints filed about the Ford Contour are about the throttle and cruise control — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

126

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

17

Crashes

0

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1995 Contour 42 33.3%

Median failure at 196,000 miles

1996 Contour 31 24.6%

Median failure at 79,500 miles

1997 Contour 2 1.6%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

1998 Contour 34 27.0%

Median failure at 89,309 miles

1999 Contour 14 11.1%

Median failure at 52,888 miles

2000 Contour 3 2.4%

What owners said

1996 Ford Contour at 91,000 miles Waverly, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED INTERMITTENTLY BUT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10352020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour at 122,000 miles Dayton, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V194000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000. UPDATED 10/27/10.

NHTSA complaint #10339319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour at 37,777 miles ANN Arbor, MI Crash 3 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS. I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE REPLACED STARTER AND BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES FEELS LIKE SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART AND NEVER NOTIFIED I HAVE SMALL AND OLDER CHILDREN SHAMEFUL. THESE EVENTS STARTING TAKING PLACE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1999 ARM CONTROL 3 TIMES REPLACED I WAS LIED TO BY FORD AND SAID I MUST OF HIT A BUMP BUMP MY BUMP 3 TIMES ALMOST DEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10287331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Contour at 121,562 miles West Allis, WI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE GAS PEDAL/ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO "STICK" OR RACE AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO IDLE TO BACK DOWN UNTIL I PUT IT IN GEAR. JULY 3, WHILE DRIVING IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR/GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AROUND A CORNER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR INTO A CAR REPAIR PLACE WHERE THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CALL FORD ABOUT A RECALL. THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE HAD JUST SNAPPED RIGHT OFF! I CALLED FROM THE REPAIR PLACE AND FORD SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VIN VEHICLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME AS I WAS LEAVING TOWN THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE RETURNED NOW AND AFTER SEARCHING YOUR SITE HAVE FOUND WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE RECALL FOR THE VERY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY VIN DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL PROBLEM. WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP, PLEASE? LUCY HOCKING LUCYHOCKING@YAHOO.COM 414-541-2326 414-520-8323 MAKE : FORD MODEL : CONTOUR YEAR : 1996 MANUFACTURER : FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE : DEC 03, 1997 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 97V225000 COMPONENT: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 38000 SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

NHTSA complaint #10236719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford Contour at 130,000 miles Madras, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT RETURNING TO IDLE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND, WHEN IT IS RELEASED, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO IDLE AT HIGH RPMS. THE THROTTLE ALSO STICKS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-80 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH DAY UNDER NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,653 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/12/07.

NHTSA complaint #10201060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Contour at 196,000 miles Norristown, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, THE GAS PEDAL BECAME STUCK, THE ENGINE RACED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 97V225000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 1/17/2007 -

NHTSA complaint #10166306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour at 30,000 miles Columbus, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WELL I HAD THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER IN MY LIFE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. I HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED SO MANY TIME I CANT START TO NAME OFF DATES. I DO KNOW LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR I DROVE TO THE BEACH LESS THAN 30 MINUTES ALWAYS AND IT CUT OFF. IT STARTED BACK UP, BUT CUT OFF 4 TIME BEFORE I GOT HOME. NEXT DAY I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR IT. SINCE I HAD THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A BURDEN. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT ONCE BEFORE, AND AS I WRITE THIS LETTER IT IS BEING DONE AGAIN FOR A 2ND TIME. MY HEAT AND AIR STOP WORKING. HEAT ONLY WORKS ON HIGH, AND MY DEFROST TAKE FOR EVER TO CLEAR MY WINDOWS. MY DOOR JUST WONT STAY CLOSED IT POPS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. ON MY PASSENGERS SIDE ON THE FLOOR. IT GETS SOAKED WITH RAIN EVERYTHING. IF ITS RAINY AND IM DRIVING MY CAR MAKES A LOUD SCRATCHING NOISE. MY BRAKES HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS. SHOCKS GAVE OUT LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER BUYING MY CAR. MY ENGINE LIGHT WONT GO OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO OVER 3 FORD DEALERS AND MANY SHOPS, AND NO CAN SAY WHY THE LIGHT KEEP POPPING ON. SO TODAY I DROPPED MY CAR OFF TO THE SHOP TO HAVE BRAKES,DOOR,ENGINE LIGHT, BALL JOINTS AND TO SEE WHY THE OVER DRIVE OFF LIGHT KEEP BLINKING WHILE IM DRIVING. THIS IS THE WORST CAR EVER MADE BY FORD. I KNOW ITS NOTHING ON MY BEHALF WHY THIS CAR IS SO HORRIBLE BECAUSE IS KNOW 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE OR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS ME. THEY WERE SMART ENOUGH TO GET RID OF THIS PIECE OF '!@#$%, I JUST CANT AFFORD IT. WELL I KNOW THIS SUMMER IF I DO HAVE THE PLEASURE AND JUNGIAN THIS CAR, IM GOING TO PUSH IT OFF A BRIDGE MYSELF, AND NEVER EVER BY A FORD AGAIN. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE ASSUMED FOR PUTTING OUT SUCH A BAD MODEL. HOW DARE U TRY AND MAKE A QUICK BUCK INSTEAD OF BUILDING A RELIABLE CAR FOR FAMILIES.

NHTSA complaint #10118666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford Contour at 35,000 miles Highland, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATING TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10111402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour Farmingville, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING, THE CONSUMER TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND COULD SEE THE RMP'S AND SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WENT UP. THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY JERKED FORWARD AS THE HIT BRAKES. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10103260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Contour at 66,600 miles Riverside, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT HIGH RMPS. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE ACCELERATOR CABLE RECALL 00V425000, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK N

NHTSA complaint #10102010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford Contour at 140,000 miles Willisburg, KY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHENEVER FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FOR STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS. CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10094566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Contour Jamestown, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR CABLES NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*MR DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10037748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Contour Jamestown, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR CABLES NEED TO BE REPLACED.*MR THIS IS A SECOND REQUEST FOR AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THGE MATTER REFERRED TO IN THE EARLIER LETTER.

NHTSA complaint #10046261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour at 68,000 miles Lake Jackson, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE HESITATES AND JERKS VIOLENTLY ON ACCELERATION, FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL.DASHBOARD CURLED UP IN FRONT BY WINDSHIELD, OBSTRUCTING VIEW AND POPPED OUT VENT TRIM. DEALER WOULN'T FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAID THE RECALL ON IT HAD EXPIRED. HAD TO TRY TO GLUE IT DOWN OURSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10078763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford Contour Norfolk, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND TAKING FOOT SLIGHTLY OFF THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN POWER AND RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.

NHTSA complaint #10064756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford Contour at 74,000 miles Merigold, MS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10046326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford Contour at 68,000 miles Galveston, TX Crash 3 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT IMPACTED A BUILDING. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE IN THE PARK GEAR FOR 5 MINUTES. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS CONTINUALLY BEING TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR ,SOMEHOW, BECAME STUCK AND THE ENGINE OVERRODE THE BRAKES. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10042150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford Contour at 48,619 miles Chamblee, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLES ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE CAUSING THE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LOSS OF SPEED AND ACCELERATION. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10004329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford Contour Glendale, IL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

INSURED REPORTS CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, VEHICLE REPORTEDLY ACCELERATED, AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND GUARD RAIL. DT

NHTSA complaint #770381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Contour Pennsville, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #561480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Contour problems