Mechanic stated that they are getting several vehicles where the wiring harness insulation is being compromised due to heat from the exhaust. The harness is too close to the heat side of motor. Also, the wire coating is not meeting specifications and is crumbling.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

Wqhile traveling about 35mph on the highway without prior warning the vehicle shut down. Please fill in additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem.

- Fletcgher, NC, USA

Consumer states the vehicle developed what was diagnosed as transmission problems, it was suggested that the transmission be serviced, soon after, the vehicle began performing poorly and the transmission was then replaced entirely, after less that 500 miles the vehicle began experiencing electrical problems, the alternator, battery and relay was replaced, however there was no improvement with the vehicle, the dealer then informed consumer that the actual problem was the engine wiring harness that was causing all the problems and that Ford had issued a secret warranty regarding the problem, however consumer had missed the deadline.

- Stillwater, MN, USA

Problems with wiring harness.

- Houston, TX, USA

The underhood wiring harness on this vehicle displays areas where the insulation is completely gone and/or flaking off. This leaves bare wires that are shorting out. This includes the negative and positive battery cables, which could cause the battery to explode when shorted. It also includes the wiring to the crash sensors for the airbag system. This means that if the wiring to the safing sensor (under the dash) is also shorted out and the wiring to one of the crash modules shorts out, then the airbag(s) could deploy. Not very welcome if you happen to be driving down the road at 70 mph. Ford has been contacted about this and had issues their own recall, but it expired at 100000 miles. The original owners of this vehicle never received the recall notice, although they did receive recall notices on both sides of this notice. Fords current response is that you have to get a wiring harness from a junkyard as they no longer have them available, however they have a price of $2500 for one. The problem with getting one from a junkyard is that they are all displaying this problem.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

Having problems with wiring harness. This could cause a fire. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

- Walhalla, SC, USA

Ford has a recall for wiring harness underhood...I have twice taken my car to two different dealers but they tell me the wiring with cracked insulation under my hood is not covered under the recall the wiring to several vital components have numerous cracks which could cause failure of said components.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

Wiring under hood burned out, causing damage to major sensor.also, headlights kept going on and off.

- Douglas, GA, USA

Wiring harness under brake booster located in the engine compartment is melting together. This causing eratic behavier, possibly a short circuit and fire. Dealer has been contacted.

- San Diego, CA, USA

The underhood wiring harness in this car has been recalled by Ford for replacement. However the recall expired at 100,000 miles. The previous owner of this vehicle indicates that they never received the recall notice. In addition, a subsequent recall was performed on this vehicle and the dealer never mentioned the problem with the wiring harness. All insulation on the wiring harness is either off or cracked and coming off. This leaves totally bare and exposed wiring which can arc, short out (causing other problems). There are areas where bare wiring is routed right next to gas lines and should a leak occur and a spark the results could be catastrophic. Fords response was that since the car was beyond the mileage limit and this was their recall (not NHTSA's) they weren't required to perform the repairs. One has only to look under the hood and see how dangerous this situation is.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

Thre is a cuurent campaign recall on both defects, but does not fix problem of wire overheat and fire.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed a smoke smell coming through the vents. He pulled over to the shoulder and vehicle was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem. Prior to recall 00V367, engine was overheating and burning excess oil from overheated piston rings, after recall repairs, there was an internal antifreeze leak that was going into motor oil, engine cooling fans were operating intermittently when engine was hot, dealer found upper radiator hose at water pump had a pinhole leak, engine cooling fan wiring overheated and burned out at fan relay and fan connectors, then consumer received recall 01I009 and had these repairs completed on vehicle, after recall repairs, engine and in-dash wiring overheated and burned, dealer installed recall parts for blower motor again, consumer later informed a new motor was needed due to no compression due to overheating damage. This took place prior to vehicle fire. Headlight and taillight lenses replaced. Overdrive light was inoperative, shift lever internal sliding bezel had a stress crack, at times it was hard to get out of park when temperature was cold. A/C did not blow cold air and was noisy. Fuel door would not open at times. Speedometer cable was replaced due to a ticking noise.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

Main wiring harness insulator cracked and fell off into pieces, exposing bare wire. Ford had a M program wiring. Consumer did not receive notice of this program. Contacted dealer, and vehicle was in for repair. Contacted Ford customer service, and they stated if vehicle had less than 100000 miles they could fix it.

- Alvarado, TX, USA

Manufacturers recall 99 M 03/wiring harness under hood: Vehicle would not start/run. Notified manufacturer, and informed of a recall concerning wiring harness. Notified dealer; gerry Ford, leeburg; va, phone# 703/777-0000, who refused to honor recall. Seeking assistance from NHTSA in this matter. Consumer stated that the wiring harness failed causing starter, solenoid and battery to blow up.

- Winchester, VA, USA

I have had countless problems with this car. The latest is the insulating coating on the wires under the hood is cracked and breaking off. This is causing numerous engine codes. These shorts are causing the car to stop unexpectedly on the hiway and not restart. I was notified of Ford's extended warranty after the car had already passed the mileage that they offered. I can not drive or sell the car as is. Why has there not been a NHTSA recall yet, I have heard of many of these cars even catching on fire.

- Nederland, TX, USA

Engine check light came on before vehicle started overheating. Dealer stated it was wiring harness, but no warranty will cover it. Consumer insisted more information that dealer didn't give.

- Azusa, CA, USA

The car was going down the street, about 30 miles an hour, when suddenly there was alot of smoke. The car was immediately pulled over.that is when the fire was first noticed.the fire destroyed the entire car. The car was totalled.

- Gary, IN, USA

Air conditioner had quit. Consumer took vehicle to mechanic. During this repair mechanic found wiring harness needed to be replaced. All plastic coating was falling apart when being touched. Wires were exposed, and one circuit had shorted out.

- Humble, TX, USA

First the A/C started flooding the passenger compartment. Result the condenser was replaced by plantation Ford, who told me this was a common problem with these vehicles. Then the transmission started lurching in reverse. Result $2000, and again Ford told me this was a common problem with the Contour. Finally the engine quit on the highway, and the head gasket was blown. Much later Ford issue a recall for the cooling fan fuse, aand the wiring harness. Both of which I was not informed about, but had to learn from a mechanic. And when I did take the car to plantation forn they told me they could not tell if the head gaasket was blown because of the cooling fan fuse, and that the engine wiring harness recall had expired at 100,000 making my vehicle ineligible since it had 106,000. I have E:mailed you pictures of the harness, which are so brittle, and corroded I would be scared to start any motor with it for fear of a fire.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

Consumer received notification that vehicle was included in engine cooling fan recall 00V367000. Consumer made three appointments to have vehicle serviced; however, dealer informed consumer that appointments were never put into computer and service was denied. On May 19th, 2001 there was an electrical fire in underhood wiring. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Bronx, NY, USA