Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Feb 2, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 218 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 16 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.
Owner reports naming steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Steering
Filed Feb 2, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
22 YR. OLD SON MATT CRASHED HIS 1997 FORD CONTOUR INTO UTILITY POLE-FEELS BEARINGS CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. INNER WINDSHIELD DRIVER'S SIDE POST AT CORNER CAME APART, PLASTIC ON INTERIOR-WHICH STOPPED AT TOP OF POST AND WASN'T CONNECTED TO ANYTHING ON INSIDE OF ROOF-POPPED OUT AND LACERATED HIS LEFT EYEBALL. THE EYEBALL INTERIOR WAS PROTRUDING AND SURGERY WAS NECESSARY TO STITCH THE EYEBALL BACK TOGETHER. HE WILL EVENTUALLY NEED A CORNEA TRANSPLANT TO GET DECENT VISION FROM THAT EYE. THE RIGHT EYE SUSTAINED BLUNT TRAUMA WHICH CAUSED A HEMATOMA TO DEVELOP WHICH CAUSED BLINDNESS UNTIL IT'S RECENT REMOVAL. RESTORATION OF EYESIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE IS A SLOW PROGRESS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10108423
Incident
Sep 30, 2004
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Nov 4, 2003
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.*AK
NHTSA ID
10046326
Incident
Oct 31, 2003
Mileage
74,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED ONLY WHILE THE ROAD WAS WET. DEALER STATED IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. *AK IN THE PAST 6 YEARS POWER STEERING FROZE TWICE DURING A SEVERE RAIN STORM. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ID
10033731
Incident
Aug 11, 2003
Steering
Filed Jan 30, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ID
10006000
Incident
Jan 20, 2003
Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2003
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS ROUTED UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AXIL AND HAS RUB A HOLE IN THE LINE. AND HAS CAUSED A LEAK.
NHTSA ID
10003586
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Mileage
110,652 mi
Body & structureEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 13, 2000
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR RATTLING WHEN DRIVING AND STEERING. THEY ORDERED TACK SHIELD AND BOLTS. TOOK IT BACK IN, THEY INSTALLED PARTS AND SAID IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. HAD TO ORDER RACK AND PINION. KEPT THE CAR UNTIL THAT CAME IN AND INSTALLED IT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED SQUEALING AND SMOKING. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK, DECIDED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND INSTALLED ANOTHER RACK AND PINION. GOT IT BACK AND IT WAS STILL RATTLING AND NOW IT HAS A LOW GROWL SOUND AT AN IDLE. TOOK IT BACK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLER PULLEY AND THE RIGHT SWADE BAR LINK. THE GROWL IS STILL THERE BUT THEY'RE SAYING THAT IS NOW NORMAL. IT IS NOT NORMAL. IT WAS NOT THERE UNTIL THEY STARTED SCREWING AROUND IN THERE. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK! *AK
NHTSA ID
721426
Incident
Feb 19, 2000
Steering
Filed Mar 5, 2000
AFTER DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE, POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, DRIVE BELT SQUEALS, AND IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHICH CAUSES LACK OF CONTROL. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ID
719725
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 16, 1999
THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO GET SOMEONE TO GIVE HER A JUMP. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
847910
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
SteeringTires & wheels
Filed Aug 19, 1999
STEERING PROBLEM HAS COST CONSUMER ALOT OF MONEY. ALSO, NEEDS TO REPLACE THE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ID
845473
Incident
May 3, 1999
BrakesSteeringTires & wheels
Filed Aug 10, 1999
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEM AT 61000. ALSO, HAD TO CHANGE TIRES AND BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ID
844803
Incident
Aug 2, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 4, 1999
THIS CONTOUR HAS A MODERATE STEERING/ HYDRAULIC NOISE WHEN TURNING AT ANY TIME. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION COMPONENT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEN THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND FORD TOLD DEALER NOT TO CHANGE THE UNIT. STATED THAT FORD WAS WORKING ON A FIX FOR PROBLEM. MAY TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS. I HAD A LAWYER WRITE A LETTER TO FORD ASKING FOR A BUY BACK. THEY REFUSED AND STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS "NORMAL." WELL, WHICH IS IT? A NOISE THAT A DEALER WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE UNIT TO FIX, THAT THE FORD ENGINEERING IS SUPOSEDLY WORKING ON, OR A NORMAL NOISE? MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE SAYS THE NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. I THOUGHT STEERING SYSTEM IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
708212
Incident
Apr 15, 1999
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 2, 1999
VEHICLE IN NUMBER OF TIMES FOR POWER ASSIST GOING OUT WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN OR WATER. 2/99 ACCELERATION LOST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, NO POWER. HAD VEHICLE IN PREVIOUS WEEK BEFORE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED.
NHTSA ID
703938
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 1998
STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
537111
Incident
Jun 15, 1998
Steering
Filed May 19, 1998
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING STOPS FOR ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WORKING ON A CORRECTION. *AK
NHTSA ID
823457
Incident
Sep 9, 1997
Steering
Filed Apr 21, 1998
Fire reported
POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA ID
534405
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
BrakesSteering
Filed Jan 14, 1998
Crash reported3 injuries reported
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, GOT INTO RIGHT LANE AND TOUCHED BRAKES LIGHTLY TO STEER CAR STRAIGHT, STEERING LOCKED UP, COULDN'T STEER LEFT OR RIGHT, STEERING STUCK IN SLANT POSITION. PUMPING BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. CAR RAN INTO GUARDRAIL AND FLIPPED THREE TIMES. AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ID
820621
Incident
Aug 28, 1997
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own