Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports24 fire reports24 injury reports

Suspension complaints

38 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002

Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension

THIS CAR IS A LEMON - IT IS NOT SAFE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #763604

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2002

Suspension

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATED, WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT VIBRATED SO HARD AS IF IT WAS GOING THROW CONSUMER OUT OF THE CAR. MECHANIC INDICATED THIS WAS THE WAY VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8006265

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001

Power TrainSuspension

MY 1996 CONTOUR HAS LITERALLY BROKEN DOWN. I HAVE 99,000 MILES AND HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AND THE CAR STILL IS NOT DEPENDABLE, AND THE SAME PROBLEMS RE-OCCUR. I HPAY MORE IN REPAIRS THAN I DO FOR MY MONTHLY PAYMENT.

NHTSA ODI #750846

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001

SuspensionCrash

WAS DRIVING 20MPH WHEN FRONT END BROKE LOOSE. STRUTS HAD BROKEN. VEHCLE HIT GROUND, ANDTHEN WAS THROWN ACROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. IT FINALLY HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890491

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001

Suspension

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT STABALIZER BAR WAS BROKEN WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE HAVE A REALIGNMENT. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED A TOTAL OF $463.26 TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #889151

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001

Suspension

SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AT THE DRIVER SIDE AND MAKING CLICKING NOISE . MECHANIC ( MIDAS SHOP) TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A CLASSIC PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CARS DUE TO BAD DESIGN FOR THESE CARS TO BREAK VERY EASY MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745090

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2001

Suspension

SPRINGS IN FRONT BROKE, AND THEN VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER LEFT TO RIGHT. ALSO, STRUTS WERE DAMAGED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #887636

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001

Suspension

1. STERRING IS VIBRATING PRIMARILY WHEN THE A/C IS ON, 2.IN HOT WEATHER, VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IDLING OR AT A STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885274

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

Read full complaint

VEHICLE HAS A CRACK IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE MECHANIC WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HE OBSERVED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOME OF THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING, SINCE NO TRANSMISSION WORK HAS EVER BEEN PERFORMED UNDER CONSUMER'S OWNERSHIP ROUGHLY SINCE 41,000 MILES IN THE MECHANIC'S OPINION THAT EITHER THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING WAS CRACKED WHEN INSTALLED OR ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN RESULTING IN A CRACKED HOUSING, HE ALSO OBSERVED WHAT MIGHT BE BAD FRONT COIL SPRINGS, THEY ARE MAKING A RUBBING NOSIE ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE OR IN A SHARP TURN TO THE RIGHT,CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER THEY HAVE CALLED HER CONSUMER BACK BUT THEY HAVE TURNED THE COMPLAINT INTO A FEEDBACK REPORT CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD ROTORS TURNED AND SERVICED TWICE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #882608

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001

Suspension

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE MAKES A WHINNING SOUND, AND LOSES POWER. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #878657

Official recalls

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

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.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

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.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

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.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

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.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

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.

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

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.

97V203000 · Fuel System, Other:storage

Nov 17, 1997

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 ↗