10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,238 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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problem #8

Feb 152005

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,900 miles
I own a 1996 Ford Contour [xxx] that the instrument panel lights and tail lights went out on. There was a recall on this item (recall 99S14) back in 1999. Upon bringing the car into an brookdale Ford (brooklyn center, mn), they told me that they would fix the problem free of charge because it did not apply to my vehicle. I then called Ford Motor Company customer relationship center. They told me that the problem was already fixed on my car (even though I never brought the car in for this service). They refused to help. Even if the recall was fixed on my car, the fact that the same two parts of my car (instrument panel and tail lights) failed, tells me that the recall repair was not done correctly. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Fridley, MN, USA

problem #7

Oct 222001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Consumer stated that tail lights were inoperative, consumer's received safety recall 99S14 regarding tail light failure, consumer took vehicle and recall notice to dealership, dealership was reluctant to honor recall, after speaking with management, dealership finally honored recall, when consumer returned home with vehicle, they noticed a leak which resulted in recall repair.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #6

Oct 242001

Contour

  • miles
When the light switch is turned to park lights, none of the park lights work--front or back, left or right. Additionally, the dash lights do not work. When the light switch is turned to head lights, only the headlights and bright lights work--there are not tail lights or dash lights. All other lights work, such as the brake lights and turn signals. This occured during the thanksgiving holiday at night while driving through Kansas City. We could not see our speedometer, and cars approaching from the rear could not see us until they approached and their lights shown on our car--very dangerous.

- Koshkonong, MO, USA

problem #5

Feb 182001

Contour

  • miles
The right and left tail lights and instrument panel lights failed. The terminals on the headlight switch show signs of heat damage. This is the same symptoms as NHTSA campaign id # 99V103000 (mfg campaign # 99S14) applicable to certain 1995-1998 Ford Contour vehicles. This recall does not apply to my Ford Contour (VIN # [xxx]) according to two Ford dealers. The symptoms of this recall exactly describe the current symptoms of my Ford Contour and it is questionable as to why this recall is not currently applicable to my VIN #. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

problem #4

Mar 231999

Contour

  • miles
While driving tail lights/odometer lights, and parking lights went out. Consumer took vehicleto dealer, and they replaced a switch. Consumer did not know which switch, on Nov 1, 2000 same problem occurred. Took vehicle to another dealer, and they replaced headlight switch, and a F5rz14A411, head lamp switch.

- Willington, OH, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Dec 151998

Contour

  • miles
The worst problem was the wheel falling off while in operation, with no warning. The axil, rotor, and balljoint was replaced. The heating and cooling is all messed up. The fan will only blow on low, it is niether hot nor cold. The tail lights and panel lights do not work. It's not a fuse

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #1

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