1998 FORD CONTOUR Complaints

DT: COSCO MODEL # 02-531BNP, THE GRANDMOTHER NOTICED THAT WHILE REMOVING THE CHILD SEAT THE OWNER HAS TO KEEP PUSHING THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE FASTENERS. THE OWNER WAS CONCERNED THAT IT TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO RELEASE THE CHILD OUT OF CAR SEAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WILL CONTACT COSCO. *AK

THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM BROKE DOWN AND THE ROD IN THE SYSTEM HIT THE TIRE AND FLATTENED IT. *JB...*AK THE CONSUMER HEARD OF A RECALL ON THIS PART AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

WHEN TURNING HEADLIGHTS ON, TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 99V103000). HOWEVER, FORD SAYS THAT IT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [XXX]. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

VEHICLE WAS PURHASED IN JAN OF 1998. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 70,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR FOR TUNE UP. WHEN PICKING UP THE VEHICLE GOODYEAR INFORMED ME OF A FAUTLY WIRE HARNESS. THEY ALSO INCLUDED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS WAS FLAKING OFF ALMOST AS IF IT WAS ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN A FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPPINION. THEY STATED THAT VEHICLES WIRE HARNESS WAS OF POOR QUALITY AND THAT DUE TO THE PROTECTIVE LAYER OVER THE METAL WIRES FLAKING OFF IT CAUSED A SHORT ONCE THE EXPOSED WIRES TOUCHED METAL BURNING THE COMPUTER. THEY ALSO INCLUDED THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND OR WORSE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD AND EVEN TOOK THE CAR TO THEM AND THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE CLAIMING THAT GOODYEAR DAMAGED IT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS CAR AND THE SISTER VEHICLE MERCURY MYSTIC ON THE NET AND THEY BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURER USING A DECECTIVE WIRE HARNESS CAUSE SHORTS AND OR SOMETIMES FIRES. I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND THEY CONTACTED FORD WITH NO RESOLUTION. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED MANY SPECIALIST IN FIELD AND ACCORDING TO THEM A WIRE HARNESS SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP!

DT: VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CALLER SAID BRAKES DID NOT WORK VERY WELL WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME. DEALER SAID THE FRONT LEFT ROTOR BROKE ,AND REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT . MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP.*AK

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND NOW THE COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. FORD HAS RECALLED SOME OF THIS YEAR MODEL BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE VIN. CUSTOMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE COIL SPRING, BRAKE HOSE AND CV JOINT BOOT. *TT

I WENT IN TO GET NEW TIRES PUT ON AND DURING THE INSPECTION THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BORKEN. THE COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. I LOOKED FOR A WARRANTY AND THERE DOES EXISIT ONE FOR THE CONTOUR BUT BASED ON MY VIN IT DOES NOT COVER IT.

1998 FORD CONTOUR FRONT SPRING BROKE WHEN ENTERING THE GARAGE. *MR RECALL CAMPAIGN#'S: 01I013000 AND 01V255000. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE DEALER FOUND BOTH BACK SPRINGS BROKEN AND REPLACED THEM ON APRIL 27, 2005. *SC *JB

DRIVING ON INTERSATE 66 FROM MANASSAS VA INTO WASHINGTON DC AT 65MPH WHEN NOTICED COLD AIR BLOWING OUT OF HEATER VENTS. CAR IS SEVERELY OVERHEATED BEFORE SAFE EXIT FROM HIGHWAY. WATER PUMP'S PLASTIC IMPELLER HAD SHATTERED WITH 53K MILES ON THE CAR. FORD REPLACED WATER PUMP FOR $527. AFTER OVERHEATING THE CAR ALSO BEGINS TO LEAK OIL FROM SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THE OIL PAN GASKET IS REPLACED FOR $407 AT 63K MILES. THE REPLACEMENT WATER PUMP'S GASKET IS DISCOVERED TO BE LEAKING AT 66K MILES WHILE TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL OIL LEAKS - THIS TIME THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT.