Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Contour submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words
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. *TR
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 *TR
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. *AK
I BELIEVE ALL 1997 FORD CONTOURS SHOULD BE RECALLED, OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE CLUTCH, WATERPUMP, BLOWER MOTOR, BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS, SWAY BARS, WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT & REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS(BOTH TWICE!!!!), AXLE, 2 OXYGEN SENSORS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EGR VALVE, COIL SPRINGS, BATTERY, BALLJOINTS, DOOR LATCH, ALMOST ALL OF THE FULL FRONT SUSPENSION!!!! THERE ARE MORE PARTS THAT I HAD REPLACED BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER ALL THE NAMES OF THE PARTS THERE ARE TOO MANY!! MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, SHORT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE ENGINE WILL (REV) UP BY ITSELF WHEN IT'S IN GEAR AND WHEN IT'S NOT, SHORT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEATS, WATER LEAKAGE IN THE TRUNK, A/C LEAKS ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, ALL DOORS SQUEAK NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, CARPET IS FALLING OUT, HORN WILL NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME, SAME FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, WINDSHIELD WIPER SPRAYER DOES NOT WORK, KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, ENDED UP IN VERY BAD DEBT BECAUSE OF THIS AND NO ONE WILL TAKE IT, I STILL OWE MONEY ON THE PIECE OF CRAP. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR AT ONE TIME REGARDING ALL THE PARTS I REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I HAD IT, THEY SAY IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD IT TO ME SAYS IT WAS JUST FINE, BULL CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I BELIEVE THAT THOSE ARE TOO MANY ITEMS FOR A 1997 TO GO WRONG ON. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME REPAIRS THREE TIMES. *NLM
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR BRAKE DISC PADS, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED, 6000 MILES LATER THEY NEEDED REPLACED AGAIN, BOTH TIMES THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER 11000 MILES LATER THEY FAILED AGAIN AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *SLC
CONSUMER WAS DENIED RECALL REPAIR (00V-075) DEALERSHIP STATED VEHICLE DID NOT CONTAIN RECALL PART TO BE REPLACED. *MJS
WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED, THE CAR SPUN ABOUT 90 DEGREES AND HIT A BRIDGE.AIR BAGS BOTH DEPLOYED, I WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IN APRIL 2000 BUT I WAS NOT SENT A RECALL NOTICE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 6-23-2000 AFTER COMPLAINING TO FORD; FORD DID NOT FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY ME OF THIS SAFETY RECALL. MY COMPAINT IS TWO-FOLD: FIRST, FORD HAS PRODUCED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THIS PRODUCT, AND SECOND, FORD FAILED TO NOTIFY ME IN A TIMELY MANNER ABOUT THIS DEFECT SO THAT I COULD HAVE THE DEFECT CORRECTED. I HAVE SUFFERED MINOR PERSONAL INJURY, VEHICLE REPAIR EXPENSES, ADDED INSURANCE PREMIUMS (FUTURE), TRIP INTERUPTION, AND LOSS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD BY TELEPHONE I WAS OFFERED KIND CONVERSATION BUT NO EXPLANATION FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE, NO OFFER TO COMPENSATE ME FOR DAMAGES, AND NO OTHER CONTACT AT FORD WHO COULD RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT.*AK
1. PARKING BRAKE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING IN WET WEATHER WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS LEFT ENGAGED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHILE CAR WAS PARKED OUTDOORS. LEFT REAR WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NEARLY CAUSING TWO ACCIDENTS. ALSO MADE ASCENDING ICY HILLS FROM A STOP VERY DIFFICULT, AS BOTH REAR WHEELS WOULD LOCK. THIS SOMETIMES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARD INTO PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. 2. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ONLY AT VERY LOW ENGINE SPEEDS (LESS THAN 2500 RPM), CAUSING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL ACCELERATION, AND EXCESS USE OF BRAKES WHEN DESCENDING LONG, STEEP GRADES. DRIVING WITH KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM ALLOWED ME TO AVOID SITUATIONS WHERE RAPID ACCELERATION OR EXTENDED PERIODS OF BRAKE USE WERE NECESSARY, BUT PROBLEM STILL REDUCED MARGIN OF SAFETY. BOTH THESE PROBLEMS WERE EVENTUALLY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER NUMEROUS DEALERSHIP DENIALS AND DELAYS. DATES AND MILEAGES OF COMPONENTS FAILURES ARE ESTIMATES, AND NOT EXACT. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
RECAL 00V075000/REAR BRAKE VALVE: DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH MANUFACTURER. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE DONE UNTIL THEY GET THE APPROVAL FROM MANUFACTURER. *AK
HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, CAUSING ERRACTIC PERFORMANCE OF ABS. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK *ML
HI, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD DOSEN'T RECALL THE 97 CONTOURS.WE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND THE E.G.R VALVE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED.THE P.C. VALVE HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES.THE EGR PRESSURE FEEDBACK /BACK PRESSURE WAS REPLACED.THE ROTOR ON THE BRAKES WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 58 DAYS.WE TOOK THE CAR IN 5 TIMES TELLING THEM ABOUT THIS BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. RECALL ABOUT WIRE HARNESS. THEY SAID COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN. UNTILL MY HUSBAND TOOK IT FOR THE 4 TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS FULL OF THIS FOGGY SMOKE. HE MADE A SERVICE ADVISIOR COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE CAR FULL OF SMOKE.FOR THREE MONTHS 10-9-99 UNTILL PRESENT .WE HAVE HAD TO ENDURE HEADACHES VOMITING AND LOSS OF OUR VOICES BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN.WE NOW HAVE PICTURES OF NEGLECT OF THE SAFETY OF MY HUSBAND AND 5 CHILDREN. THE BURNED MELTED PARTS THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BACK ON 10-9-99 IT TOOK UNTILL 1-22-00 AND AS OF RIGHT NOW 2- 10-00 ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 7 DAY'S. MAJOR DEFECTS WITH THE 97 CONTOUR.WE THINK THEY SOLD ALL THERE CNG CARS TO PEOPLE AND DIDN'T TELL THEM. I KNOW THEY SURE DIDN'T TELL US. 3 TIMES ON THE OIL CHANGE PAPER THEY MENTION ABOUT THE SELENOID.YOU DON'T HAVE THAT DONE WITH A OIL CHANGE.MAYBE YOU GUY'S CAN CHECK INTO IT? WHY ELSE WOULD OWNERS OF JUST THE 97 CONTOURS HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS? CHECK YOUR T S B PAGES.PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO WE CAN'T TRUST ANYONE TO FIX IT RIGHT WHEN WE WERE TOLD BY FORD SERVICE PEOPLE THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH ALL OF THESE CARS.
WHILE BRAKING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED A BAR IN THE REAR BRAKES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.ALSO, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE PINS IN THE REAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY VEHICLE DISINGAGED AND TRAVELED OUT OF PARK INTO STREET. DEAREL HAS BEEN CONTACETD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK
ROTORS ARE WARPED. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THREE SETS OF ROTORS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
DRIVER WAS IN AN FRONT END ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSED BY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES WHICH FAILED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A GAURDRAIL HEAD-ON. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
WAS DRIVING 70MPH & STARTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN. ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE RIGHT SIDE. VEHICLE WINDED UP FACING OPPOSITE DIRECTION TOWARDS TRAFFIC. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER. *AK
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY MAKE A ROARING SOUND. DEALER CLAIMS THE BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY. *AK *ML
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEM AT 61000. ALSO, HAD TO CHANGE TIRES AND BRAKES. *AK
UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE FLUX HOSE, THERE WAS A LOT OF FRICTION ABRASION DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF HOSE. THE ABRASION WAS SO EXCESSIVE THAT IT THINNED THE HOSE TO THE INNER LINER, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PRESSURE CAUSED IT TO BURST, AND LOSE ALL BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING CAPABILITIES. THE PART AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE DEALER CHARGED $328 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AT NO CHARGE, SINCE IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT FACTORY. *AK
WHILE DRIVNG IN SNOWY/WET CONDITIONS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP/VIBRATES/SHAKE. THEN VEHICLE SLID IN THE DIRECTION IT WAS GOING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED THE REAR LEFT CALIPER. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SAID IT WAS THE WAY THE SYSTEM OPERATED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORAMTION. *AK
PROBLEMS OCCURRED SINCE CAR WAS LESS THAN 500 MILES OLD. THE CUTTING OFF OF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THAT TIME AND STILL OCCURS AFTER 17,600 MILES. PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND. LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN THE ABS AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHEN DRIVING DURING A SNOWY WEATHER. LOSS CONTROL OF CAR AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE DRIVER SEAT MOVES FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKING.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .