1996 Ford Contour Problems

I PURCHASED A USED 1996 FORD CONTOUR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT CAME BACK ON. AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS FLAKING OFF AND IN ONE SPOT THE WIRE BUNDLE COVERING HAD MELTED. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM (99M03) AND EXTENDED THE RECALL FOR 10 YEARS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH A DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS HAS PROVED TO BE A LOOSING BATTLE I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NO LONGER BUILD THIS PART AND THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS IN STOCK THROUGHOUT THE USA. I TRIED SALVAGE YARDS AND THERE ARE NO GOOD PARTS OUT THERE. HOW CAN A USED CAR LOT SELL CARS WITHOUT LOOKING INTO SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES. I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO JUNK THE CAR AND TAKE A $3000 LOSS. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE? *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED 50000 MILES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

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

THE WIRE HARNESS MOTOR, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL INJECTION ARE BAD ,AND WAS STATIONARY 5 YEAR AGO LIKE MANY MANY MANY CONTOURS AND MISTYQUES IN MY COUNTRY , I NEED A SOLUTION PLEASE, COUSE RESPONSABILITY IS FROM FORD COMPANY IN ALL THE WORLD. THANK YOU. I AM IN MEXICO.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEARS ON THE FLOOR SHIFT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DID NOT REPAIR VEHICLES AFTER TEN YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V233000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

I JUST GOT THE CAR FROM USED CAR DEALER ON 02/07/08 DROVE FINE WENT HOME AND IN THE MORNING I WENT OUT GOT KIDS IN CAR AND WENT TO BACK UP AND HAD NO REVERSE..THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 81000 MILES ON IT....AND THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS MADE ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION IN 1996 FORD CONTOURS... I THINK SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE ... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLUG ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE WIRE IN THE PLUG. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT CAUSED A FAILURE WITHIN THE PARKING LIGHTS. THE PLUG AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FOUND RECALL 99V103000 ONLINE AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

I OWN A 1996 FORD CONTOUR [XXX] THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM (RECALL 99S14) BACK IN 1999. UPON BRINGING THE CAR INTO AN BROOKDALE FORD (BROOKLYN CENTER, MN), THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED ON MY CAR (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS SERVICE). THEY REFUSED TO HELP. EVEN IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON MY CAR, THE FACT THAT THE SAME TWO PARTS OF MY CAR (INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS) FAILED, TELLS ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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. *TT

MAJOR HARNESS & ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH IS UNDER RECALL THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR.

BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. THE BLOWER CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN FOG, FROST ETC SO VISIBILITY IS GREATLY LIMITED. IF ONE CAN SEE WELL AN ACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR FOR THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN SWITCH FAILED AND WOULD COST $58 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER KEPT CHANGING THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL THE CONTACT SPENT $271; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM: WINDSHIELD: CONTROLS/WIRING) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEN YEAR FREE PERIOD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

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

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. *TR

I OWN A 1996 FORD CONTOUR [XXX] THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM (RECALL 99S14) BACK IN 1999. UPON BRINGING THE CAR INTO AN BROOKDALE FORD (BROOKLYN CENTER, MN), THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I THEN CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY FIXED ON MY CAR (EVEN THOUGH I NEVER BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS SERVICE). THEY REFUSED TO HELP. EVEN IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED ON MY CAR, THE FACT THAT THE SAME TWO PARTS OF MY CAR (INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS) FAILED, TELLS ME THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY.*AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR PROBLEM. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. ALSO, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

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

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.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT SEND ME A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER ON MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR. I NEED TO SEND MY CAR BACK TO FORD MOTOR ASAP, AND FORD NEEDS TO SEND ME A BRAND NEW CAR. DUE TO ALSO SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 1999 EVERY PART IN MY CAR IS A DEFECT FRAUD NON FORD, ALSO NEWMAN FORD IN SALEM, NH REFUSED AND DISCRIMINATED MY DISABILITY AND LAUGHED AT ME AND DENIED MY SERVICES. *JB

MR

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. *TR

PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB *NM

WAS FILLING UP MY FUEL TANK AND JUST AS THE PUMP CLICKED OFF GASOLINE STARTED POURING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND IT STILL DOES IT EVERYTIME I FILL IT UP I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #99V247000, REGARDING FUEL; HOSES/LINES/PIPES/FITTINGS DUE TO THE VIN. HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS THE MANUFACTURER PARTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. FUEL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE TAIL PIPE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

The contact owned a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, going downhill, the vehicle hit black ice, then crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed and detached upon impact, slicing the contact's head open, snapped his fifth and sixth vertebrae, and the seatbelt fractured his ribs. The police were called to the scene of the collision. The police officer informed the contact that the air bag had detached from the steering wheel and was in the rear passenger seat. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

CAR STALLS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, OR WHEN PARKING SLOPES. CAR STALLED WHEN STARTING UP FROM RED LIGHT IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA INTERSECTIONS. HEADLAMPS OUT OF ALIGNMENT (DON'T SHINE DOWN ONTO ROAD, BEAMS NOT CENTERED). AIR BAG LIGHT ON CONTROL PANELS BLINKS SPORADICALLY, FREQUENTLY; ANXIETY THAT AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER COMMENT ON STALLING: "PROBABLY SOMETHING STUPID" AND WASN'T ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A VACUUM TUBE. DEALER CHARGED $95 TO TELL ME THAT THE MEMORY IN THE VEHICLE DIDN'T GIVE ANY CODES FOR THE STALLING OR AIR BAG PROBLEMS, THEN ADDED THAT THE MEMORY IS WIPED CLEAN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. QUESTION: IF THEY KNOW THAT ABOUT THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHY CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FOR A POINTLESS DIAGNOSTIC? HEADLIGHTS STILL OUT OF ALIGNMENT AFTER HAVING BEEN "ADJUSTED" BY DEALER IN JANUARY 2005. *NM

THE CONNECTING ARMS ON THE TRAY SHIELD ARE CRACKED AND CAN BE EASILY PULLED OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE SEAT IS ONLY A YEAR OLD, AND THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

THE REAR SAFETY BELTS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE LEFT REAR BELT BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK INTO THE LATCH PLATE WHEN CONNECTED AND THE RIGHT REAR BELT ONLY PULLED FAR ENOUGH FROM HOUSING TO COVER A SMALL CHILD. *JB

REAR PASSENGER DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THE WINDOWS ONLY OPEN HALF WAY AS A CHILD SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

ROOF RUSTED UNDER PAINT. *MR PH

FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT SEND ME A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER ON MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR. I NEED TO SEND MY CAR BACK TO FORD MOTOR ASAP, AND FORD NEEDS TO SEND ME A BRAND NEW CAR. DUE TO ALSO SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 1999 EVERY PART IN MY CAR IS A DEFECT FRAUD NON FORD, ALSO NEWMAN FORD IN SALEM, NH REFUSED AND DISCRIMINATED MY DISABILITY AND LAUGHED AT ME AND DENIED MY SERVICES. *JB

THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 70000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL DOOR, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, DOOR HANDLES, TRANSMISSION, ELECTRIC WINDOWS, AND NOW AS A SPECIAL TREAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN THE WORST INVESTMENT THAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH 200000 PLUS MILES ON THEM AND NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER BEEN AS PROBLEMATIC AS THIS AUTOMOBILE.

SHIFT INDICATOR DOES NOT MOVE WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED, DRIVER HAS TO COUNT THE CLICKS TO BE ABLE TO TELL IF THEY'RE IN WHAT DRIVE THEY'RE IN. SAW IT IN A RECALL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY MODEL ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, CAR MADE LOAD MOANING NOISES, ENGINE REVED, RPMS JUMPED AROUND AND CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. STARTED UP RIGHT AFTER. DID NOT TAKE TO GET LOOKED AT. IF THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS UNDER 40 DEGREES, THE CAR WILL MOAN LOUDLY, THE ENGINE WILL REV, THE STEERING WILL GO OUT, AND THEN THE CAR STALLS, HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BREAKING. SOMETIMES INSTEAD OF STALLING, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD. ALMOST CAUSED ATLEAST 3 ACCIDENTS. TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALL THE TIME. TOOK IT FOR REPAIR, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. HAD TO GET THE SENSOR REPLACED 6 TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM STOPPED, AT CONUMERS EXPENSE.

I HAVE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR ONLY WHEN FOUR PEOPLE IN CAR.WHEN INSPECTING WHEELS AND TIRES FOUND WHEEL TO BE CRACKED FROM HUB CENTER TO RIM EDGE BETWEEN LUG NUT HOLES.INSPECTING OTHER WHEELS FOUND 2 MORE WITH SAME CRACK IN LENGTH AND LOCATION.*AK

PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE, THE LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (00T-005). *YH

DEALER FINALLY REPLACED TIRES WITH MICHELIN X1 AND VIBRATION IS DOWN TO BARELY NOTICEABLE. WE FEEL THE TIRES ARE MASKING THE PROBLEM. FORD ADMITS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SISTER MODEL SOLD IN GERMANY, DOESN'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT BUT THESE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TIRES SEEM TO HELP. THEY USE PIRELLI GOLD, MICHELLIN X1 IN GERMANY TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM. THEY RULED OUT OTHER CAUSES SUCH AS SUSPENSION, ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCE, ETC. WE ARE WORRIED THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW THAT WILL CAUSE MAJOR FAILURE.