Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS W/ MY 96 FORD CONTOUR SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2/23/96. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I GET TOLD IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHY WORRY ABOUT IT. THE SRV.MNGR.AT MY DEALER SUPPOSEDLY TALKED TO A "TONY" AT FORD & TOLD HIM TO TELL ME AS LONG AS IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I SHOULDN'T COMPLAI…
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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS W/ MY 96 FORD CONTOUR SINCE I BOUGHT IT 2/23/96. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I GET TOLD IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHY WORRY ABOUT IT. THE SRV.MNGR.AT MY DEALER SUPPOSEDLY TALKED TO A "TONY" AT FORD & TOLD HIM TO TELL ME AS LONG AS IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I SHOULDN'T COMPLAIN IT IS NO MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. THAT IS UNSATISFACTORY -I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE A DEFECT IN THAT YEARS LINE OF CONTOURS & I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. MY CAR RUNS WORSE THAN ANY USED CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED! ALL I EVER WANTED DONE WAS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION,THEY COULD HAVE EASILY REPLACED MY CAR WITH ONE SIMILIAR TO THAT YEAR & MODEL & I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY. I REALLY WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL CONTACT A LAWYER TO SEEK HELP DEALING WITH FORD & KENNEDY FORD , IF I CAN NOT GET A FAIR & AGGREEABLE OUTCOME TO THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #708828
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
SteeringVisibility
THE REAR POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. THE MOULDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOWS HAS BEEN LOOSE EVER SINCE THE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CARPETING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOSE/ HASN'T FIT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE BLOWER NO LONGER BLOWS THROUGH THE PANEL VENTS--ONLY THROUGH THE DEFROSTER/…
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THE REAR POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. THE MOULDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOWS HAS BEEN LOOSE EVER SINCE THE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CARPETING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOSE/ HASN'T FIT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE BLOWER NO LONGER BLOWS THROUGH THE PANEL VENTS--ONLY THROUGH THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER VENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707580
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 1999
Steering
STEERING COLUMN BOLT SIEZED CAUSING STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #544213
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER( DOT NUMBER: ??? TIRE SIZE: ??? )
NHTSA ODI #701675
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringStructure
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
NHTSA ODI #701672
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
POWER STEERING BECOMES DISABLES WHEN DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER. SAFETY SHOULD BE A RECALL BY FORD MOTOR CORP
NHTSA ODI #701647
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1998
Steering
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING BELT SLIPPING. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THE WET CONDITION ROAD THE WATER WOULD COME UNDERNEATH ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT, CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP, AND STEERING TO FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE CLAIMED VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING BELT SLIPPING. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THE WET CONDITION ROAD THE WATER WOULD COME UNDERNEATH ONTO THE POWER STEERING BELT, CAUSING THE BELT TO SLIP, AND STEERING TO FAIL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE CLAIMED VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WA SUNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SOLD BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER ANY ITEM THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830263
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1998
Steering
EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE ORIGINAL RACK AND PINION ASSEMPLY WAS REPLACED, DUE TO LEAKAGE, WITH FORD PARTS. THE REPLACED PARTS ALSO LEAKED. AFTER SECOND REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKED. AT LEAST TWO POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, BOTH HAVE LEAKED. ALL REPAIRS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY AUT…
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EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE ORIGINAL RACK AND PINION ASSEMPLY WAS REPLACED, DUE TO LEAKAGE, WITH FORD PARTS. THE REPLACED PARTS ALSO LEAKED. AFTER SECOND REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKED. AT LEAST TWO POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, BOTH HAVE LEAKED. ALL REPAIRS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #541522
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998
Steering
THE STEERING BELT ON VEHICLE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. WHEN IT'S RAINING IT GETS WET & CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN MAKING TURNS. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED CANNOT DO ANYTING. IT WAS DESIGNED LIKE THAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826977
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1998
Steering
WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE AT 20MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPOT. DEALER BELIEVES THE POWER STEERING BELT SLIPPED.
ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.
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
5
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
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
PE98063 · Headlight Switch
Opened Dec 3, 1998 · Closed May 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
ODI OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 3, 1989 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH MENTIONED CONCERNS CENTERED ON THE DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THESE CONCERNS INCLUDED AN ALLEGATION OF THE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE, AN ALLEGATION OF HEADLIGHT LOSS, AND THREE ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES.THREE OF THE REPORTS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ITS ASSOCIATED WIRING AS HAVING BEEN HEAT DAMAGED.FORD INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT OVERHEATING OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSES LOSS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS.FORD WILL REMEDY THIS CONDITION IN 1996-1998 MODEL CONTOUR AND MYSTIQUE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM APRIL 20, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 1998 AND AT THE CAUTITLAN, MEXICO ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JUNE 13, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 1998 UNDER RECALL 99V-103.THE REMEDY INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE SWITCH ITSELF.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.
1996 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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