1996 FORD CONTOUR

The contact owned a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, going downhill, the vehicle hit black ice, then crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed and detached upon impact, slicing the contact's head open, snapped his fifth and sixth vertebrae, and the seatbelt fractured his ribs. The police were called to the scene of the collision. The police officer informed the contact that the air bag had detached from the steering wheel and was in the rear passenger seat. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2001. THE PAST 6 MO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING OR SOMETHING MELTING. ALMOST LIKE ITS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE

MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2001. THE PAST 6 MO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING OR SOMETHING MELTING. ALMOST LIKE ITS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE

MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2001. THE PAST 6 MO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING OR SOMETHING MELTING. ALMOST LIKE ITS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE

THE WIRE HARNESS MOTOR, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL INJECTION ARE BAD ,AND WAS STATIONARY 5 YEAR AGO LIKE MANY MANY MANY CONTOURS AND MISTYQUES IN MY COUNTRY , I NEED A SOLUTION PLEASE, COUSE RESPONSABILITY IS FROM FORD COMPANY IN ALL THE WORLD. THANK YOU. I AM IN MEXICO.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD FAIL TO START DUE TO A MELTED WIRE IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM A USED CAR DEALER ON 8/11/15. THE CAR HAS 58606 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. WIRING HARNESS WAS UNDER THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND NOT REPAIRED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE AND MECHANIC SAYS THE CAR IS A FIRE HAZARD AND HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER ANY TYPE OF RECALL AND THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE PART.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TAILLIGHT AND FRONT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

CORROSION UNDER THE CAR (POLICE INCEPTOR ). CAR WAS PURCHASE FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN BAMBERG, SC THAT SELL MANY CROWN VICTORIAS. HE INDICATED MY CAR CAME FROM UP NORTH, PENNSYLVANIA. *TR

CORROSION UNDER THE CAR (POLICE INCEPTOR ). CAR WAS PURCHASE FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN BAMBERG, SC THAT SELL MANY CROWN VICTORIAS. HE INDICATED MY CAR CAME FROM UP NORTH, PENNSYLVANIA. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 1996 FORD CONTOUR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT CAME BACK ON. AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS FLAKING OFF AND IN ONE SPOT THE WIRE BUNDLE COVERING HAD MELTED. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM (99M03) AND EXTENDED THE RECALL FOR 10 YEARS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH A DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS HAS PROVED TO BE A LOOSING BATTLE I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NO LONGER BUILD THIS PART AND THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS IN STOCK THROUGHOUT THE USA. I TRIED SALVAGE YARDS AND THERE ARE NO GOOD PARTS OUT THERE. HOW CAN A USED CAR LOT SELL CARS WITHOUT LOOKING INTO SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES. I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO JUNK THE CAR AND TAKE A $3000 LOSS. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE? *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 1996 FORD CONTOUR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND AFTER A FEW DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT CAME BACK ON. AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES WAS FLAKING OFF AND IN ONE SPOT THE WIRE BUNDLE COVERING HAD MELTED. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM (99M03) AND EXTENDED THE RECALL FOR 10 YEARS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH A DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS HAS PROVED TO BE A LOOSING BATTLE I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NO LONGER BUILD THIS PART AND THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS IN STOCK THROUGHOUT THE USA. I TRIED SALVAGE YARDS AND THERE ARE NO GOOD PARTS OUT THERE. HOW CAN A USED CAR LOT SELL CARS WITHOUT LOOKING INTO SAFETY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES. I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO JUNK THE CAR AND TAKE A $3000 LOSS. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE? *TR

MY CAR HAD BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES .FIXING WHAT WE THOUGHT WERE THE PROBLEM WE FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTED TO THE COOLING FAN WAS MELTED AS WELL AS MANY PROBLEMS IN WIRE HARNESSES IN FRONT OF ENGINE.. IT IS VERY APPARENT THE WIRING IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED MELTING N BURN WIRES THROUGHOUT THE WIRING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD 4 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND WAS TOLD BY ALL THAT THIS MAKE N MODEL IS VERY WELL KNOWN FOR THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED FLAMES NEAR THE REAR OF THE RADIO AND THE CENTER COLUMN THAT DIVIDED THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES HERSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND INTERIOR LIGHTING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,922.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER: 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, SINCE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO LOCATE A WIRING HARNESS AT A JUNK YARD FOR INSTALLATION. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 1/11/11 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED INTERMITTENTLY BUT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

I PRINTED OUT ALL OF THE RECALLS ON 1996, FORD CONTOUR BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD PLACE THEY SAID THE RECALLS ARE NOT ON MY PARTICULAR CAR. SO IS THAT SO? THAT CARS ARE MADE IN BATCHES AND ONLY CERTAIN BATCHES ARE RECALLED. I HAVE A 1996 FORD CONTOUR, 4 CYLINDER MOTOR. THAT DOES HAVE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR MY CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLUG ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE WIRE IN THE PLUG. HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY TIME HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT CAUSED A FAILURE WITHIN THE PARKING LIGHTS. THE PLUG AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FOUND RECALL 99V103000 ONLINE AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

I HAVE A FORD CONTOUR (1996 SPORT W/2.5 V6..NEARLY ALL OF THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD EITHER HAS BROKEN OR NO INSULATION ON IT. SOME TIMES THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT COMES ON...TODAY THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN SMOKED THEN BLEW A FUSE. I'VE NEVER SEEN WIRING LIKE THIS. I EXPECT BETTER FROM FORD THAN THIS..THIS CAR JUST TURNED OVER TO 72000 MILES....THIS CAR IS A TOTAL FIRE HAZARD.....I'VE OWNED FORD CARS AND TRUCKS ALL MY LIFE BUT IF NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS CAR IT WILL BE THE LAST FORD I BUY..THIS WIRING SHOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW. I WONDER IF THE SAFETY TEAM KNOWS ABOUT THIS. *TR

BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. THE BLOWER CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN FOG, FROST ETC SO VISIBILITY IS GREATLY LIMITED. IF ONE CAN SEE WELL AN ACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE. *TR

BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. THE BLOWER CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER AND HEATER. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN FOG, FROST ETC SO VISIBILITY IS GREATLY LIMITED. IF ONE CAN SEE WELL AN ACCIDENT IS POSSIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE BLOWER SWITCH AND ALL ASSOCIATED WIRING WERE MELTED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V230000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,688. 4/01/09 *NJ FORD STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BEFORE IT LEFT THE FACTORY AND THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 04/07/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MALFUNCTIONING, WHICH CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, ENGINE FAILURE, AND ELECTRICAL FIRES UNDER THE HOOD. HE HAS BEEN REPAIRING THE FAILURE HIMSELF, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

WAS FILLING UP MY FUEL TANK AND JUST AS THE PUMP CLICKED OFF GASOLINE STARTED POURING OUT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND IT STILL DOES IT EVERYTIME I FILL IT UP I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR

SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE GAS PEDAL/ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO "STICK" OR RACE AND I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO IDLE TO BACK DOWN UNTIL I PUT IT IN GEAR. JULY 3, WHILE DRIVING IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR/GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AROUND A CORNER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR INTO A CAR REPAIR PLACE WHERE THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CALL FORD ABOUT A RECALL. THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE HAD JUST SNAPPED RIGHT OFF! I CALLED FROM THE REPAIR PLACE AND FORD SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VIN VEHICLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME AS I WAS LEAVING TOWN THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE RETURNED NOW AND AFTER SEARCHING YOUR SITE HAVE FOUND WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE RECALL FOR THE VERY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY VIN DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL PROBLEM. WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP, PLEASE? LUCY HOCKING [email protected] 414-541-2326 414-520-8323 MAKE : FORD MODEL : CONTOUR YEAR : 1996 MANUFACTURER : FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE : DEC 03, 1997 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 97V225000 COMPONENT: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 38000 SUMMARY: 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: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEARS ON THE FLOOR SHIFT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DID NOT REPAIR VEHICLES AFTER TEN YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V233000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. AS HE STARTED HIS VEHICLE, THE TAIL LIGHTS OR THE DASHBOARD DID NOT LIGHT UP. HIS MECHANIC GAVE HIM A COPY OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN# 01V230000. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE RELATED NHTSA ACTION# IS EA01001. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

REAR PASSENGER DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THE WINDOWS ONLY OPEN HALF WAY AS A CHILD SAFETY FEATURE. *TR

I JUST GOT THE CAR FROM USED CAR DEALER ON 02/07/08 DROVE FINE WENT HOME AND IN THE MORNING I WENT OUT GOT KIDS IN CAR AND WENT TO BACK UP AND HAD NO REVERSE..THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 81000 MILES ON IT....AND THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS MADE ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION IN 1996 FORD CONTOURS... I THINK SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE ... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE HEATER FAN MOTOR FOR THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN SWITCH FAILED AND WOULD COST $58 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER KEPT CHANGING THE DIAGNOSIS UNTIL THE CONTACT SPENT $271; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT REPAIRED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM: WINDSHIELD: CONTROLS/WIRING) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEN YEAR FREE PERIOD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR FOUR HOURS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED OR INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ON ITS OWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. ONE MONTH AGO, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR HER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AND A WIRING REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN THE TRANSMISSION. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DAMAGED BY THE HEATER BLOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2001 AND THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ENGINE FAILURE EVER SINCE. THE ENGINE SIZE IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ENCOUNTERED BLOWN FUSES AND A DESTROYED ALTERNATOR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO DESTROYED THE BATTERY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL # 01V230000. *AK

CAR HAS 168000 MILES . MY DAUGHTER JUST PURCHASED IT. 11/06 AFTER CHECKING OVER I FOUND INSULATION ON WIRES IS ROTTED AND FALLING OFF. I NOTICED SOME REPAIRS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED BUT STILL LOOKS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE OF POSSIBILITY OF FIRE .SHE NOW HAS A CAR SHE CANT USE AND CANT AFFORD TO REPAIR. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT TOOK HIS 1997 FORD CONTOUR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/20/06 BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO GET THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V230000 AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE COPIES OF REPAIR INVOICES IF NEEDED. *JB UPDATED 2/16/2007 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL #99V247000, REGARDING FUEL; HOSES/LINES/PIPES/FITTINGS DUE TO THE VIN. HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS THE MANUFACTURER PARTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. FUEL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE TAIL PIPE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED 50000 MILES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

I WAS INFORMED BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD CRACKED AND IT WAS A POTENTIAL SAFTEY HAZZARD. TIRES PLUS SAID IT IS POSSIABLE FOR THE SPRING ENDS TO PUNCTURE THE TIRES. *JB

CONSUMER REQUEST HELP TO FIX A 1996 CONTOUR. *TS THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND IT FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEPT OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO AN EMISSION RECALL AS REPORTED BY THE EPA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE ORIGINAL OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 1997 BUT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. *NM

AT FIRST VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE WRONG GEAR AND THEN IT BINDED UP THE GEAR SHIFT SO EVENTUALLY HAD TO REMOVE SOME PLASTIC FROM GEAR SHIFT JUST TO SHIFT THE GEAR THEN THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT INDICATION WILL NOT INDICATE WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IN AT ALL. POSSIBLY CAUSING WRONG GEAR SELECTION COULD CAUSE COLLISION IN PARKING LOT.*JB

I PAID TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO GET A SECOND OPINION. WHILE DOING THIS I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MY CAR HAD A RECALL ON THE UNDER WIRE HARNESS BUT THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AFTER 100,000 MILES AFTER SEEING HOW MANY RECALLS WHERE DONE ON MY CAR I REALIZED THAT WHAT GENES EVANS FORD TOLD ME WAS THAT IT WOULD COST ME $2500.00 TO FIX THE UNDER WIRE HARNESS PROBLEM. I OBTAINED A SECOND OPINION WHICH CONFIRMED THE WIRE HARNESS, ISSUE AND FORD BUILT THE CAR., AND GENE EVANS FORD KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALLS! I WANT MY CAR FIXED! ON APRIL 28,2004 WHEN I WAS NOT SURE IF MY CAR HAD A PROBLEM I TOOK IT TO GENE EVANS FORD FOR A DIAGNOSTIC READING, THE ODOMETER READ 95904 AND ON MAY 3,2004 WHEN THE ODOMETER READ 96037, WHICH IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS WITH REGARD TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE UNDER WIRE HARNESS RECALL,99M03, WHICH IS 100,000 MILES OR TEN YEARS. IF THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AT FORD SERVICE COULD NOT ELABORATE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS . HOW WAS I TO KNOW? I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CAR, TRUSTING FORD'S OPINION ON ANY CONCERNS I MAY HAVE HAD. THIS SITUATION HAS COST ME ENDLESS DISTRESS AS WELL AS FINANCIAL SETBACKS, FIXING PROBLEMS THAT NOW I SEE WHERE RELATED TO ONE RECALL OR ANOTHER . I HAVE BUT ONE CAR, PAY MY PREMIUMS ON TIME AND A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD. I FEEL THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE AND I AM MOST DISSATISFIED , WITH THE WAY GENE EVANS FORD HAS HANDLED THIS MATTER. I WANT MY CAR FIXED! OR IF NEED BE REPLACED, WITH FUNCTIONING NON-DEFECTIVE PARTS, SHOULD MY CAR GET FIXED I WANT ALL RECALLS ON MY CAR RESEARCHED AND FIXED SINCE THE UNDERWIRE HARNESS WAS NOT THE ONLY RECALL I FOUND ON MY CAR,AND I WANT IT ALL IN WRITING! THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. MY CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY DEAD. WITH NO ATTEMPT AT GENE EVANS FORD OR DEARBORN MICHIGAN ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS.*JB

THE CONSUMER WAS SOLD A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT HAVE A TITLE. *TS *NM

I BOUGHT A 1996 FORD CONTOUR FROM AND INDIVIDUAL IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. IT RAN WELL, FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE OD LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING INTO LOW. I KEPT MASHING THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT ARM AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON THIS WOULD GO ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEN IT WOULD BE OK FOR SEVERAL DAYS, JUST TO START UP ALL OVER AGAIN. THEN I HAD THE OLD CHANGED IN NOVEMBER AND THE WOULD NOT STAY CRANKED FOR ME TO GET HOME. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD ARE ALL FLAKING OF THERE PLASTIC COVERING. I ASSUME THIS IS WHY IT WILL NOT STAYED CRANKED. I CAN NOT DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION. *NM

I BOUGHT A 1996 FORD CONTOUR FROM AND INDIVIDUAL IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. IT RAN WELL, FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN THE OD LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING INTO LOW. I KEPT MASHING THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFT ARM AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON THIS WOULD GO ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEN IT WOULD BE OK FOR SEVERAL DAYS, JUST TO START UP ALL OVER AGAIN. THEN I HAD THE OLD CHANGED IN NOVEMBER AND THE WOULD NOT STAY CRANKED FOR ME TO GET HOME. THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD ARE ALL FLAKING OF THERE PLASTIC COVERING. I ASSUME THIS IS WHY IT WILL NOT STAYED CRANKED. I CAN NOT DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION. *NM

THIS PROBLEM STARTED WAY BACK AT THE DATE BELOW AND I COULD NOT GET FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SO I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING BY ELECTRICAL TAPING THE EXPOSING WIRES. I WONDER WHY AMERCIAN MADE VEHICLES ARE LOOSING TO FOREIGN COMPANIES... SELF EXPLANATORY I THINK. NO PRIDE IN THE AMERICAN WORKER. JUST DO THE JOB AND MAKE LIVING. COMPLAINT IS FORD CONTOUR GL ENGINE WIRING HARNESSES SEVERELY DETERIORATING. I WORK WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING ON AIRCRAFT DAILY AND HAVE NEVER SEEN WIRING LIKE THIS. I'VE WORKED IN AREAS WHERE AIRCRAFT WIRING GO THROUGH SEVERE TEMPERATURE CHANGES, HIGH HUMIDITY, AND SEA SPRAY TO NAME A FEW. NO AIRCRAFT THAT I'VE WORKED ON HAS HAD WIRING LIKE THIS. TRANSPORTATION SUCH AS AIRCRAFT DON'T OR SHOULD SAY CANNOT HAVE WIRING LIKE THIS WHY CAN CARS? OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR CAR OWNERS AROUND THE COUNTRY, CAR FAILS FROM WIRING IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE OWNER AND POSSIBLE OTHER INNOCENT DRIVERS AROUND THEM? THIS INCIDENT I BELIEVE REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION. AS I STATED I AM CURRENTLY USING ELECTRICAL TAPE TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE WIRES FROM TOUCHING AND CAUSING A FIRE OR DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. CURRENTLY CHASING AIR CONDITIONING, ENGINE FAN, AND FUEL INJECTOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS WIRING. A VEHICLES WIRING SHOULD NEVER BECOME THIS BRITTLE. THIS GOES TO PROVE WHY FORD IS CLOSING PLANTS AND NISSAN AND TOYOTA ARE ON TOP OF THE AUTOMOTIVE SALES. THINK ABOUT IT FORD, TRYING TO GET BY WITH CHEAP STUFF AND SEE WHERE YOU ARE NOW, VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY. *JB

DT: 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATES THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND THIS WAS HOW THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. RECALL 01V230000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED IT WILL COST $1700 TO FIX IT. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIRE YET, BUT THIS COULD BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE RECALL.*AK UPDATED 11/16/2005. *NM

I SMELL GASOLINE, AND WHEN I FILL MY CAR WITH GASOLINE IT LEAKS. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT IT IS THE FUEL FILL PIPE VENT HOSE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH FORD AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB

CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT

CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT

CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 FORD CONTOUR.*MR THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY RECALLS ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE OF BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER NEVER SENT NOTICES. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAS BEEN PAYING FOR ENTIRE FULL PRICE AND IS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE GAS FUMES WHICH IS LEAKING THEREFORE LEAVING POISONOUS CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THESE HARSH CHEMICALS ARE DAMAGING TO THE LUNGS, BRAIN, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND ITS MAKING CONSUMER VERY TIRED AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TT