10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,795 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Oct 261999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall repair (99V-103) completed, however harness connector assembly replaced and not the switch, panel lights feel hot to the touch and illumination is dim after repair work completed. Mjs

- Florence, OR, USA

problem #18

Apr 021999

Contour

  • miles
Recall repair on the head light switch (99V-103) completed, however after repair the instrument panel lights do not always illuminate and are not as bright and after extended use of the headlights the resistor switch for panel lights is hot to the tough (required additional repairs). Mjs

- Florence, OR, USA

problem #17

Sep 211999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall # 99V103000 Ford/headlight swtich/wiring harness; owner received recall notice in July 1999. Owner has contact dealer numerous times. Dealer does not have parts to correct recall.

- Hillsboro, IL, USA

problem #16

Aug 301999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Wiring harness connector failed prior to recall notice causing instrument panel lights and tail lights not to illuminate(99V-103). Nlm

- Eatontown, NJ, USA

problem #15

Sep 081999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Recall # 99V103000 Ford/headlight switch/wiring harness; even though recall work was performed on August 24, 1999, the same problems still exists with the vehicle as stated in the recall. Dealer is refusing to correct.

- Waco, GA, USA

problem #14

Aug 121999

Contour

  • miles
Rec'd recall 99V103000 & contacted dealer. Took vehicle in for headlight connector & it was replaced. When starting vehicle, it was very sluggish. Problem was not present before connector replaced. Owner not satisfied with repairs.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #13

Jul 261999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Notified by dealer of recall #99V103000. Took to dealer for repairs. Supposedly took 10 minutes of repair. The panel lights still not on. Afterwards, received notice #99V103000 from dealer. Went to different dealer who refused repairs due to other dealership having already done repairs.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #12

Jul 201999

Contour

  • miles
Received manufacturer's recall 99S-14; Ford/head light switch/wiring harness. Took vehicle in for repairs, three days later vehicle would not start; contacted dealer and informed of problem. Dealer informed consumer not to bring vehicle in because consumer refused to pay $48 for fuses for clock and radio. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.

- Selma, AL, USA

problem #11

Aug 061999

Contour

  • miles
Received a manufacturer's recall notice #99S-14 Ford/headlight switch /wiring harness; took vehicle to dealer shop for repairs; later on noticed instrument panel lights failed to operate. Notified dealer, and informed consumerthat it would C additional $48 to get the lights back on. Can NHTSA provide further detail on this matter.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #10

May 271999

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Whenever headlight switch is turned on all other lights remain off. This condition has occurred on two other occasions that consumer paid for repairs. Manufacturer informed consumer that vehicle was not under any recall, any repairs made would be at consumer's expense.

- Winter Spring, FL, USA

problem #9

May 251999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Tail lamps and the instrument lights malfunctioned. There is a recall on the same failure. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it includes the same recall description, involving the headlight switch.. recall 93V103000

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #8

Apr 221999

Contour

  • miles
Headlight switch and mount failed/burned up/lights won't turn off/on, needed replacing, dashboard components always run hot; fuel door lever inside car doesn't work reliably & door sticks; egr hose failed, took Ford 1.5 weeks to get one in, no guidelines re: This hose ever needing replaced, & it costs $93"?!"!

- Muncy, PA, USA

problem #7

Apr 201999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
In June 1998 replaced brake pads, and had rotors turned because they were warped. Had to replace brake pads again, including rotors in February 1999. Two months later rotors again warped. In July 1998 had to replace alternator. In April 1999 dash lights and tail lights quit working - had headlight switch replaced.

- Manila, AR, USA

problem #6

Feb 041999

(reported on)

Contour

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
An electrical short under the dash caused headlights to become inoperable, also resulting in damages to the electrical wiring harness. Cause unknown.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #5

Dec 211998

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer experiencing loss of instrument and tail lights at the same time. Dealer notified and repaired malfunction at the cost to consumer, replaced headlamp switch and connector.

- Chargin Fall, OH, USA

problem #4

Oct 011998

Contour

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Faulty headlight switch caused dash and tail lights not to work.

- Vassar, MI, USA

problem #3

Oct 241998

Contour

  • miles
Had headlights on & noticed smoke coming from dashboard. The headlight switch caught fire. Electrical system had shorted out. Took to dealer & called manufacturer informed owner's fault for electrical short & fire. Will not repair defect.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #2

Sep 301998

Contour

  • miles
Headlight switch circuit is severely overheating, causing the switch harness to burn and the switch to fail. Also, while driving at night the tail lights/dash lights failed.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 211998

Contour

  • miles
Headlights and dashlights did not work when switch was turned on. Dealer contacted, and stated the headlight switch was burnt out, wires and the connector were all burnt out also, vehcile should not be driven due to a fire hazard.

- Fort Bragg, NC, USA