366 of the 4,570 complaints filed about the Ford Contour are about the braking system — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.
366
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
32
Crashes
2
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1998 FORD CONTOUR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES THE FAILED. THE REPAIR SHOP, STATED THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE GAS LINE LEADING TO THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10637919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE FAILURE ON 99 FORD CONTOUR SE CONTACTED DUTRO FORD ZANESVILE OHIO SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10270171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT PURCHASED BRAKESAFE FRONT DISC PADS FOR THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES LATER, A GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD AND AN OUTER LINING ON THE PADDING FELL OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE PURCHASED NEW PADS, WHICH HE FELT WORKED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. HE ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE AUTO PARTS STORE FROM WHERE HE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE PADS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. HE ALSO CALLED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE SERIAL NUMBER AND PART NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,970. UPDATED 06/25/08. *CN THE CONSUMER STATED PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER WAS WARPED AND THE ROTOR WAS DAMAGED. UPDATED 06/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10229703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE DURING ACCELERATION. THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS AND OTHER INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT MUST REMOVE THE BULBS TO DIM THE LIGHTS. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND STRUTS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10213103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. THE VEHICLE STALLS AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE DURING ACCELERATION. THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS AND OTHER INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT DIM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT MUST REMOVE THE BULBS TO DIM THE LIGHTS. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND STRUTS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10213103 — 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON 3/19/07 THE DRIVER FELT SOMETHING HEAVY FALL ON HIS FOOT AND HE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING COLUMN FELL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE DIDN'T DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES TO THEIR KNEES AND CHESTS. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT HE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING COLUMN BREAKING WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN INSURANCE WAS NOT REQUIRED AS SHE WAS UNINSURED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC ON 01/13/07 STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE HOSE BEING LOOSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS WITH 158,000. THE CONTACT DOESNT HAVE THE CURRENT MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10188634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. THIS PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE I EVEN PULLED OFF THE LOT WHEN I BOUGHT IT USED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. NOW, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE FIRST TIME I BOUGHT A SET OF TIRES, THEN GOT AN ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD I NEEDED DIFFERENT TIRES SINCE THE VIBRATION DID NOT STOP. BOUGHT MORE TIRES ,AND WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALIGNMENT. TODAY, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. IT'S GOING TO COST $120 JUST TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. I ALSO HEARD STRANGE NOISES FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR EVERY TIME I BRAKE. I'M SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR TOMORROW. I HAVE YET TO MEET SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND FIX IT!
NHTSA complaint #10187837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH, A HUMMING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED BOTH RIGHT FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED. THE BRAKE ROTORS ON THE REAR WERE REPLACED 5 TIMES WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE HEATER BLOWER MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT BLOW HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WERE THE SENSOR TO THE HEATER BLOWER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10149115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE OBSERVED AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR WHERE THE ABS COMES ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 15 MPH). I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FAILED TO CAUSE THIS CONDITION AND OFFERED TO BRING THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY DECLINED TO HAVE ME DO SO.
NHTSA complaint #10145604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER'S CAR HAD BRAKING PROBLEMS. THE BRAKES LAGGED ON REACTION TIME IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR WAS NEVER TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10145098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
NHTSA WEBSITE CONFIRMS 79 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF FORD'S KNOWN MANUFACTURE DEFECTS IN DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COMPROMISES THE OCCUPANT/PEDESTRIAN SAFTEY: WARPED DASH PANEL AND SPRUNG OUT FRONT DEFROST GRILL OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VIEW; LOOSE GRILL STRIKES WINDSHIELD WHILE CAR IN MOTION AND COULD BREAK IT; DEFLECTS PROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT; PROPER AIRFLOW OF DEFROST IS DEFLECTED; FORD KNOWINGLY MANUFACTURES AND SELLS DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. THEN IMMEDIATELY ISSUES A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" NOTICE (IN THIS CASE CPS # 01B78) THAT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE DESIGNED TO PREEMPT MANIFESTATION OF THE DEFECTS BY THE CUSTOMER. ON MY 1999 FORD CONTOUR SE, THE DEFROSTER GRILL HAS SPRUNG OUT AND JUTS OUT OF ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE AIRFLOW FROM DEFROST MECHANISM IS OBSTRUCTED. DASHBOARD WARPED AND SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH THE FISSURE SPREADING TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINED TO DO REPAIRS/REPLACEMENT AT NO CHARGE, STATING FORD IS NO LONGER LIABLE BECAUSE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM EXPIRED AUGUST 2002. INSTEAD, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFERED ME THE LOYAL CUSTOMER SERVICE DEAL OF MAKING THE REPAIR FOR COST OF ONLY $1638.12. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 1999 FOR $18077.16 (FINANCED PRICE OF $24318.40)!!! MY CAR LOAN HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL FEBRUARY 2004 WITH NO LATE PAYMENTS. MY VEHICLE'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE BY THE FORD DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I AM A SECOND TIME FORD OWNER; MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A 1992 FORD TEMPO. HOWEVER, LORD WILLING, THE 1999 CONTOUR WILL BE MY LAST. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I INCURRED SELDOM USED A/C REPAIR $275 FAULTY ENGINE LIGHT 02 SENSORS REPLACE $500 DEALER CUT BRAKE ROTERS TOO LOW $800.
NHTSA complaint #10142373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS.
NHTSA complaint #10134493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CALLER SAID BRAKES DID NOT WORK VERY WELL WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME. DEALER SAID THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR BROKE ,AND REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT . MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10127011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
MAJOR HARNESS & ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH IS UNDER RECALL THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR.
NHTSA complaint #10126566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.