I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 FORD CONTOUR WHEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CHECK MY POWER STEERING FLUID. THE FLUID CONTAINER WAS EMPTY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO FIRESTONE SERVICE TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MECHANIC ASKING IF I HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON THE CAR. I INDICATED I…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY 1995 FORD CONTOUR WHEN I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO CHECK MY POWER STEERING FLUID. THE FLUID CONTAINER WAS EMPTY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO FIRESTONE SERVICE TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MECHANIC ASKING IF I HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE ON THE CAR. I INDICATED I DID IN 9/97 WHEN THE FORD DEALER, RITTENHOUSE-KERR, REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TRANS UNDER FORD WARRANTY. I ASKED HIM WHY HE WAS ASKING ABOUT THE TRANS WHEN IT WAS THE POWER STEERING THAT WAS INOPERATIVE. HE INFORMED ME THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE TRANS TO THE MOTOR MOUNT WHERE MISSING AND THAT CAUSED THE TRANS TO DAMAGE THE AXLE WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING LINE TO BE CUT RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HE SUGGESTED I BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. RITTENHOUSE-KERR ACKNOWLEDGED THE BOLTS WHERE MISSING BUT COULD NOT GIVE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION WHY. I SUGGESTED THEY WERE DEFECTIVE OR NOT PUT IN PROPERLY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE FAILURE OF THE BOLTS. I THEN CALLED FORD ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS AND THOUGH COURTEOUS, THEY ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEALER. I THEN BROUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO GET REPAIRED. I HAD THE POWER STEERING LINE AND AXLE REPLACED BUT COULD NOT GET THE TRANS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE MOUNT. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THERE ARE THREE BOLTS (FORD PART NUMBER W500034-S303) THAT HOLD THE TRANS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT. IN TWO OF THE THREE OPENINGS WHERE THE BOLTS THREAD INTO THE TRANS, THERE WERE PARTS OF BROKEN BOLTS IN THEM AND THE THIRD HAD STRIPPED THREADS PREVENTING THE BOLT FROM HOLDING. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND FORD AGAIN. NEITHER WOULD ACKNOWLEGDE RESPONSIBILITY. IF USEFUL, I HAVE PICTURES I CAN PROVIDE. YOUR ASSISTANCE IN LOOKING INTO THIS UNSAFE SITUATION IS APPRECIATED. ALSO, DID FORD HAVE A RECALL ON TRANS BOLTS FOR THE 1993 TAURUS MODEL?
NHTSA ODI #710616
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
SteeringCrash
THE TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FRONT KNUCKLE , RESULTING IN HITTING OTHER PARKED VEHICLE, DAMAGES TO VEHICLES COSTED $3,564.03 *AK
NHTSA ODI #843424
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 1999
Steering
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE RIGHT DRIVESHAFT, CAUSING THEM TO RUB AND ULTIMATELY CAUSING A SERIOUS LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING LINE. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SMOKE AND SQUEL AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL.
NHTSA ODI #708746
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Steering
DURING RAINY WEATHER THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. REPAIRS WERE DONE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YCS
NHTSA ODI #547132
Mileage unknown · May 31, 1999
Steering
VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION - SHOULD BE ON A RECALL. DUE TO MY PHYSICAL DISABILITY I DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO STEER THE CAR WHEN POWER ASSIST FAILS. *AK
EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, & ELECTRICAL WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706877
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 1999
Steering
RACK & PINION & POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705957
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Steering
LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSIST WHEN DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLES, HAD A CLOSE CALL. ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK WHEN TURNING A CORNER. TOOK BOTH HANDS ON WHEEL TO COMPLETE TURN. SOMEONE LESS STRONGER AND/OR UNAWARE WILL HAVE A WRECK SOME DAY.
NHTSA ODI #705786
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Steering
THE POWER STEERING BELT SLIPS AND LOSES POWER WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER A WATER PUDDLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.
CRACKS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR TABS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF THE TAB AND STRESS INTRODUCED DURING ATTACHMENT OF THE ANCHOR TAB TO THE SEAT FRAME. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: A FRACTURE OR SEPARATION IN THIS AREA WOULD REDUCE THE LOAD THAT THE ANCHOR AND THE FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES COULD SUSTAIN, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A VEHICLE COLLISOIN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL AN ANCHOR TAB REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IF AN ANCHOR TAB IS FOUND TO HAVE FRACTURED.
THE GLASS TEMPERING PROCESS ON THE RIGHT HAND REAR DOOR WINDOWS WAS NOT CORRECTLY PERFORMED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE WINDOW BREAKS, THE GLASS FRAGMENTS OF THE REAR WINDOWS EXCEED THE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS NO. 205.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS.
A METAL SHIELD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL FILLER PIPE CAN DEVELOP A STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARGE DURING REFUELING OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STATIC CHARGE CAN DISCHARGE AND SERVE AS AN IGNITION SOURCE FOR FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OF THE FILLER PIPE, RESULTING IN A FLASH VAPOR IGNITION AND A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY THE VEHICLES BY ADDING A GROUND STRAP BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE SHIELD AND THE BODY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7
RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA00005 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Feb 23, 2000 · Closed Nov 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
PE99052 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Aug 18, 1999 · Closed Feb 23, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 18, 1999, BASED ON FOUR REPORTS OF FIRE INVOLVING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN.THE REPORTS ALLEGE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING FAN CAUGHT FIRE WITH RESULTANT DAMAGE TO THE FAN AND WIRE HARNESS AND/OR THE HARNESS CONNECTOR.IN ITS PE RESPONSE, FORD PROVIDED INFORMATION RELEVANT TO 46 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND 47 ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE COOLING FAN INVOLVING THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE FAN.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE.
PE98050 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Sep 14, 1998 · Closed Feb 4, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
1995 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration