Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 65 of 563 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
What owners actually said
563 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Exterior Lighting
THE PLASTIC LENS IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT LIGHT COMING FROM THE HEADLIGHT WAS HARDLY DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE LIGHT COMING FROM THE AMBER PARKING LIGHTS. VEHICLES BEHIND MY CAR, WHILE DRIVING WOULD CAST A SHADOW IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR TO NO AVAIL. THE …
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THE PLASTIC LENS IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT LIGHT COMING FROM THE HEADLIGHT WAS HARDLY DISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE LIGHT COMING FROM THE AMBER PARKING LIGHTS. VEHICLES BEHIND MY CAR, WHILE DRIVING WOULD CAST A SHADOW IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED NEW HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS AND INSTALLED THEM TO REPLACE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. FORD USED A VERY INEXPENSIVE OR UNTESTED PLASTIC WHICH FAILED/DEGRADED QUICKLY.
NHTSA ODI #734106
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2000
Tires
PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE, THE LEFT FRONT FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (00T-005). *YH
NHTSA ODI #555977
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 1996 FORD COUNTOUR (66000+ MILES). I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION WENT TO HIGH LINE PRESSURE AND BLEW A PISTON DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A CD4E WHICH IS ALSO FOUND IN MADZA CARS. THE CD4E TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN FOR IT MANY PROBLEMS RELEATED TO GOING TO HIGH LINE PRESS…
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MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 1996 FORD COUNTOUR (66000+ MILES). I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION WENT TO HIGH LINE PRESSURE AND BLEW A PISTON DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A CD4E WHICH IS ALSO FOUND IN MADZA CARS. THE CD4E TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN FOR IT MANY PROBLEMS RELEATED TO GOING TO HIGH LINE PRESSURE AND BLOWING THE PISTON DRUMS IN ITS' EARLIER DESIGNS BETWEEN (1994 - 1998). WHY AREN'T THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS RECALLED FOR CORRECTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #733637
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE MONTH - ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE ALL CHANGED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ALSO IN A GARAGE FIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS TIME AND I HAD SMOKE DAMAGE TO …
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MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES IN ONE MONTH - ALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER, WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR WERE ALL CHANGED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ALSO IN A GARAGE FIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS TIME AND I HAD SMOKE DAMAGE TO MY CAR ON TOP OF THE ENGINE PROBLEMS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I LOSS MONEY ON THE TRADE IN. THIS IS THE WORSE CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD CAR OR TRUCK AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731441
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO COMMENT. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #731320
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE FOR NO REASON. I WAS INFORMED BY A FRIEND THAT HE WAS TOLD BY A CAR DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" ON THE COOLING SYSTEM AND HEAD GASKET, WHEN I CALLED THEY DENIED IT. WATER PUMP,TIMING BELT,SERPENTINE BELT, THERMOSTAT, SW 5030 SWITCH, DY719 SWITCH, FRR2 RELAY AND PRESSURE TEST C…
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COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE FOR NO REASON. I WAS INFORMED BY A FRIEND THAT HE WAS TOLD BY A CAR DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" ON THE COOLING SYSTEM AND HEAD GASKET, WHEN I CALLED THEY DENIED IT. WATER PUMP,TIMING BELT,SERPENTINE BELT, THERMOSTAT, SW 5030 SWITCH, DY719 SWITCH, FRR2 RELAY AND PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM AND INSPECTION WHERE DONE. I HAD ALL PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW FORD PARTS AT NON-FORD REPAIR STATION DUE TO WILLIAMS FORD BAD SERVICE AND REPUTATION OF NOT FIXING CARS PROPERLY AND OVER CHARGING. I FEEL THAT WILLIAMS FORD SHOULD BE INVESTGATED ON HOW THEY RUN THE MATIANCE DEPARTMENT, MYSELF AND PEOPLE I HAVE MEET HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #730939
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Electrical System
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY RECALLING ON THE 1996-1998 FORD CONTOUR? IS IT THE WHOLE CAR OR JUST THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM? IS THAT CONSIDERED THE WIRING HARNESS? THE REASON WE'RE SO INTERESTED IS BECAUSE WE'VE HAD MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WE SENT OUR CAR TO THE FORD OF OCALA,FL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS RECALL, AND THEY…
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WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY RECALLING ON THE 1996-1998 FORD CONTOUR? IS IT THE WHOLE CAR OR JUST THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM? IS THAT CONSIDERED THE WIRING HARNESS? THE REASON WE'RE SO INTERESTED IS BECAUSE WE'VE HAD MANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WE SENT OUR CAR TO THE FORD OF OCALA,FL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS RECALL, AND THEY GAVE US A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT FIXING IT. THEY WERE TRYING TO GET US TO REPLACE PARTS THAT WEREN'T EVEN BAD, AT THE COST OF $400.00 FOR ONE PART. BUT THEN THEY SAID THERE WAS A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS THAT WERE WRONG WITH IT, AND AFTER THEY FIXED EACH OF THESE PARTS, IF OUR CAR STILL DIDN'T START, THEN THEY'D GET TO FIXING THE WIRING HARNESS. WE HAD 2 MECHANICS CHECK THESE PARTS AND THEY WEREN'T BAD AT ALL. IT TOOK THEM 2 AND A HALF WEEKS BEFORE THEY GAVE US OUR CAR BACK.THEN WHEN WE GOT IT BACK, WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC WHO SAID THEY WIRED IT WRONG, AND LEFT THE WIRING TO THE AIR-CONDITIONING AND THE ALTERNATOR UNDONE. THAT WAS 2 MONTHS AGO, AND WE JUST HAD TO REPLACE OUR ALTERNATOR. THE MECHANIC THAT FIXED THE ALTERNATOR SAID THEY DID A LOUSY JOB, BECAUSE HALF THE WIRING WASN'T EVEN DONE RIGHT. THERE IS WIRING IN OUR CAR THAT IS BARE, AND HE SAID IT COULD CAUSE OUR CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. ALSO, THE WIRING LEADING TO THE ALTERNATOR IS BARE, WHICH HE SAID MOST LIKELY SHORTED OUT THE ALTERNATOR. SO NOW WE NEED TO HAVE THE WIRING REDONE, AND ALL OF THIS HAS COST US HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. THIS CAR IS THE WORST CAR EVER MADE, WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM THE DAY WE GOTIT! WE HAD THE AIR FIXED, AND AFTER THEY DID THE RECALL, THE AIR NO LONGER WORKED ANYMORE. ALSO, AFTER THEY WORKED ON THE RECALL, THERE ARE MANY WIRES THAT ARE STILL CRACKED AND BRITTLE, AND LEFT BARE. THE WIRING TO THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY BARE, ALSO, AND WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 3 TIMES SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR. THE SEATBELT LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING WHERE IT IS SO TIGHT I CAN'T MOVE AT ALL.WE'RE AFRAID IT WILL CATCH FIRE! ALSO MORE PROBLEMS!
NHTSA ODI #730832
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Electrical SystemEquipment
THERE ARE TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR TO WRITE DOWN. PLEASE CONTACT US.
NHTSA ODI #730730
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE TAKEN IT MORE THAN EIGHT DIFFERENT TIMES TO BE SERVICE AND PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED EVEN AFTER HAVING ENGINE REPLACED I AM HAVING SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS AND STILL IT HAS PROBLEMS.E . .
NHTSA ODI #730541
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING. PROBLEM HAVE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER'S SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND STILL UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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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