305 of the 4,570 complaints filed about the Ford Contour are about the suspension — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.
305
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
SUSPENSION
Vehicle won't pass inspection due to a Broken or cracked coil spring front passenger side. It was in a recall that we never received notification. And I don't feel like we should be out over $200 to get it licensed.
NHTSA complaint #11570697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2001. THE PAST 6 MO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING OR SOMETHING MELTING. ALMOST LIKE ITS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE
NHTSA complaint #11161985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CORROSION UNDER THE CAR (POLICE INCEPTOR ). CAR WAS PURCHASE FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN BAMBERG, SC THAT SELL MANY CROWN VICTORIAS. HE INDICATED MY CAR CAME FROM UP NORTH, PENNSYLVANIA.
NHTSA complaint #10542933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE, WHICH WAS ALSO PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10492924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I PRINTED OUT ALL OF THE RECALLS ON 1996, FORD CONTOUR BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD PLACE THEY SAID THE RECALLS ARE NOT ON MY PARTICULAR CAR. SO IS THAT SO? THAT CARS ARE MADE IN BATCHES AND ONLY CERTAIN BATCHES ARE RECALLED. I HAVE A 1996 FORD CONTOUR, 4 CYLINDER MOTOR. THAT DOES HAVE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10349954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PARKED HIS VEHICLE OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT MORNING HIS FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AS WELL. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.
NHTSA complaint #10315090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS CAME OUT OF THE SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHILE CHANGING THE TIRES. IF A TIRE WERE THERE, IT WOULD HAVE BURST. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST OR ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 127,000. UPDATED 07/28/09 *BF UPDATED 07/30/09.
NHTSA complaint #10273862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAD BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON MY 1995 FORD CONTOUR FAIL (LEFT SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES, THE RIGHT INTO THREE). RESULTED IN CAR DRIFTING BACK AND FORTH. NO RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10228270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 25MPH THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BROKE AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. SHE STATES THAT SHE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHERE THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. THE TOTAL COST ON REPAIRS WAS $950.00. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS: 01V255000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 47,020.
NHTSA complaint #10213487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. IN 2001, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME AND STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE COILS SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CABLE IN ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10203548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CONTOUR. SHE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING. THEY STATED THAT THE ROAD SALT COULD BE A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE CRACK. THE MECHANIC MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 85,000. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10200098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED COIL SPRING DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #01I013000) HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA complaint #10199898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
1999 FORD CONTOUR SE SPORT DASHBOARD PEELING. MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO PEEL AWAY AT APPROX 60,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 80,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF A RECALL ON THIS MATTER, WHICH WAS APPARENTLY A SECRET. I HAVE OWNED 3 FORDS AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER DUE TO THE LAX CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FAILURE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRODUCT FAILURE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ALL THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED (I AM 60 AND HARDLY HOT RODDING), REAR STRUTS AND SOMETHING RELATED TO A LOUD HUMMING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CAR TO REMAIN IN WORKING ORDER AND PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY STICKING IN THE IGNITION AND ALSO A FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10199517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
THE 1999 CONTOUR HAS 67,000 MILES. AT 36,000 MILES HAD THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. SINCE THEN, I HAD THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED 3 MORE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10196634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TOOK CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE ACTING UP . FOUND THAT BOTH TONE RINGS IN THE ABS SYSTEM BROKE. THE DASHBOARD HAD BEEN WARPING FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WAS TOLD AT THE SHOP THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I MUST HAVE GOTTEN A LETTER, BUT IT EXPIRED AND WILL COST $1164.60 TO REPLACE IT. THE DURING THE INSPECTION THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THEY COULD BLAME THE CONSUMER, FOR DRIVING WITHOUT CLEAR VISION?, BUT THE RINGS THAT CONTROL THE BRAKING ACTION,AND THE COIL SPRING BEING MADE OF BAD MATERIALS WAS A ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY PROBLEM, THAT SHOULD BRING ABOUT AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. WHEN ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING A BUS FULL OF CHILDREN OF A CLIFF WHOSE FAULT WILL IT BE THEN. NOT MINE FOR NOT REPORTING IT, MAYBE THAT OF NHTSA FOR NOT RECALLING IT, MAYBE FORDS FOR NOT FIXING IT, OR MAYBE SHARED BLAME.
NHTSA complaint #10196223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND RECALL NOTICE AND REPLACED LEFT SPRING AND LEFT TIRE AT NO CHARGE. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT SPRING AND TIRE. CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO DEALER, WHO AGAIN REPLACED THE SPRING AND TIRE AT NO CHARGE AS THIS WAS A RECALL PROBLEM. DEALER COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE RIGHT SPRING HAD BROKEN BECAUSE HE CLAIMED THAT THE RIGHT SPRING HAD BEEN AUTOMATICALLY CHANGED WHEN THE LEFT ONE FAILED AS PART OF THE RECALL SPRING REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS. THAT MEANT THAT THE RIGHT SPRING FAILED AFTER BEING ON THE CAR ONLY 10 MONTHS. CAR IS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR LX. MILEAGE 75,000. THE CAR HAS PERFORMED FINE OTHER THAN THIS SPRING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10190974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
I HAVE A 1995 FORD CONTOUR AND I PAID OVER $16,000.00 FOR IT. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE I GOT THIS CAR. I HAVE 50,888 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES AND WORKED ON 4 TIMES. WATER PUMP WENT OUT, AIR WENT OUT ALL WIRING COVERS HAS CRUMBLED OFF LEAVING EXPOSED WIRES TO START A FIRE AND MUCH MORE. I HAVE BEEN TREATED LIKE I WAS A CHILD AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. I WANT SOMETHING DONE TO MY SATISFACTION. I KNOW THEY QUIT MAKING THE 1995 FORD CONTOUR BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY MANUFACTURER PROBLEMS. I AM NOW TOLD THEY CAN'T GET PARTS TO FIX THE CAR AND I CAN'T TRADE IT IN ON ANOTHER ONE. I AM A FEMALE AND I AM TIRED OF THE TREATMENT I'M RECEIVING FROM FORD. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL AGENCYS CONCERNING MY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10188182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.