TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LAMPS BURN OUT VERY FREQUENTLY (ONCE EVERY MONTH OR TWO). IN MID-OCTOBER, THE TURN SIGNAL BURNED OUT, AND CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER SAID THAT PART OF THE FITTING THAT THE TAIL LAMP PLUGS INTO HAD MELTED, THUS SHORTING OUT THE CIRCUIT AND …
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TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LAMPS BURN OUT VERY FREQUENTLY (ONCE EVERY MONTH OR TWO). IN MID-OCTOBER, THE TURN SIGNAL BURNED OUT, AND CHANGING THE BULB DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER SAID THAT PART OF THE FITTING THAT THE TAIL LAMP PLUGS INTO HAD MELTED, THUS SHORTING OUT THE CIRCUIT AND RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE SIGNAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759048
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER HAD RECALL(01V23000) REPAIRS PERFORMED AND WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT SHE WAS ENTITLED TO A REFUND, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT A CHECK HAD BEEN ISSUED, AFTER NOT RECEIVING A CHECK FOR 3 WEEKS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE DEALERSHIP…
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CONSUMER HAD RECALL(01V23000) REPAIRS PERFORMED AND WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT SHE WAS ENTITLED TO A REFUND, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT A CHECK HAD BEEN ISSUED, AFTER NOT RECEIVING A CHECK FOR 3 WEEKS, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A CHECK HAD NOT BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE FORD WAS NOT AUTHORIZING THE REFUND, FORD STATED THE DEALER DID NOT GO THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS TO BE REIMBURSED, THE DEALER THEN TOLD CONSUMER THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER AND TRY TO GET THE MONEY BACK FROM FORD, HOWEVER CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED A REFUND.*JB
NHTSA ODI #564221
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipment
THE WIRING OF THE MAIN FUSE PANEL CRYSTALIZES DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSES A BREAKAGE IN THE WIRING AND THE WIRING TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF BY CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR NOT TO WORK. THE WIRING GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KNOW OF OTHER CONTOURS THAT HAVE …
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THE WIRING OF THE MAIN FUSE PANEL CRYSTALIZES DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSES A BREAKAGE IN THE WIRING AND THE WIRING TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF BY CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR NOT TO WORK. THE WIRING GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I KNOW OF OTHER CONTOURS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754606
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2001
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #898333
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2001
Electrical System
PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL HAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING THAT CAUSES BULBS TO CONSTANTLY BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #896650
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2001
Electrical System
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #752074
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE, NO FLAMES JUST WIRES BURNING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 01V230000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S22.MADE AND APPOINTMENT, AND PART WAS ORDERED 4 DAYS AHEAD, AT THAT TIME INFORMATION CAME UP AS A RECALL. ONCE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PULL UP RECALL, AND DENIED RECALL REPAIRS. *…
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VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE, NO FLAMES JUST WIRES BURNING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 01V230000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S22.MADE AND APPOINTMENT, AND PART WAS ORDERED 4 DAYS AHEAD, AT THAT TIME INFORMATION CAME UP AS A RECALL. ONCE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PULL UP RECALL, AND DENIED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #896097
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2001
Electrical System
STALLS FOR NO REASON, WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR OR WHEN I COME TO A STOP. ALSO AT A SLOW SPEED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751256
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A "LEMON" SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST, 1997 FROM SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE CAR DROVE "ROUGH" NOT SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY WAS VIBRATING, AND SIMPLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME. THE VIBRATIONS WOULD OCCUR AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, INCREASING THE FA…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A "LEMON" SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST, 1997 FROM SAM GALLOWAY FORD IN FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE CAR DROVE "ROUGH" NOT SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY WAS VIBRATING, AND SIMPLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME. THE VIBRATIONS WOULD OCCUR AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR, INCREASING THE FASTER YOU DROVE. YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL AND SEE YOUR BODY SHAKE. THE RIDE WAS THE TOTAL OPPOSITE OF A SMOOTH ONE. ROUGH AND BUMPY, EVEN ON SMOOTH, FLORIDA ROADS. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE YOU WERE "PUSHING" OR "FORCING" IT TO DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MANUVER, GENERALLY STICKING WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS. A COUPLE OF TIMES, THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS. WHEN REPORTED TO FORD, THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT THAT "PER THE MANUAL, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED SOME TYPE OF OVERHAUL, AT A COST OF ABOUT $500. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES, THERE WAS SMOKE AND A BURNING RUBBER TYPE SMELL EMITTING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THIS WAS BROUGHT INTO FORD SEVERAL TIMES, AND NOT FIXED. THE FINAL TIME, THE ENTIRE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE--I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER, MARLON HANSON, FROM THE VEHICLE ON MY CELL PHONE, BECAUSE I WAS SCARED THAT THE CAR MAY BURST INTO FLAMES. HIS REMARKS MADE IT SOUND LIKE "NO BIG DEAL" JUST BRING IN THE CAR. MEANWHILE, I HAD TO PULL OVER, I WAS SO SCARED, NOT KNOWING IF THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE OR EVEN BLOW UP. THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TWICE MORE FOR THIS REPAIR, AND FINALLY APPEARS TO BE FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS SOME WIRING THAT WAS BURNING, OR STARTING ON FIRE. OUR ONLY COMPENSATION FOR THAT WAS A FREE RENTAL CAR, AFTER I PRESSURED THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE CASSETTE PORTION OF THE RADIO BROKE EARLY ON. NEVER ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE WITH DEALER OR FORD. STEERING COLUMN IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER-VERY HARD TO TURN. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENDLY COMES ON, AT ANY SPEED. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT NEWER TIRE KEEPS DEFLATING--PER TBS, COIL SPRING PROBLEM?*A
NHTSA ODI #751179
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001
Electrical System
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WILL START UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.
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: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
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 AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
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. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
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
EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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
SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4
Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.
1998 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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