Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 Ford Contour. 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.

- Groveland, MA, USA

While driving the vehicle at 50 mph engine stall. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information as per conversation.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Problem appears to be electrical, change alternator-and this is not problem.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

Vehicle stopped abruptly while in middle of traffic, consumer sent copies of bills to dealer, but no response, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

Engine problems causing vehicle to stop while in process.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

The consumer states that the vehicle is stalling intermittently. The dealer has been notified. Nlm

- Thomasville, NC, USA

Vehicle stopped abruptly while in middle of traffic, consumer sent copies of bills to dealer, but no response, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

Engine check light coming on. Took to kinsel Ford in June 2001...told catalytic converter going out. Engine light went off...started coming on again and car had alot of exhaust and running rough. Took to silsbee Ford and was told that the engine was out due to the engine cooling fan not coming on like it was suppose to so it also fried the wires. Ford is willing to pay for parts but refuses to pay for labor due to the fact that they say it was out of the 100,000 warrenty for the repair. I explained that the problem was going on when I brought it in in June and they didn't correct it then, according to the check out sheet they didn't even check it for that and I specifically asked for that recall to be checked. I had even been in in March of 2000 for the check engine light coming on. I was told by Ford that my car had no recall for the engine and engine cooling fan. Just extremely upset that you can have a recall, take your car in and it not be checked for it and when it goes out due to the recall that the company penalizes the consumer.

- Silsbee, TX, USA

Stalls out if you take your foot off the gas, surges between 1-4 rmps, engine light is on, all started after I had the heater blower switch replaced.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

While driving, vehicle overheated, consumer stopped to add anti-freeze, a little while later vehicle began to make noises and came to a complete stop, vehicle had caught on fire. Ohio traffic crash report.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

Ever since buying our 1996 2.5L Contour in Aug. Of 1999 we have had nothing but problems out of it. Our first problem we experienced was a loud howling coming from the engine compartment, later to discover the factory installed mass air flow intake hose kit had been revised thus leaving us to have to purchase the new at a total price of $97 dollars to fix the problem. Shortly after getting this one problem fixed another arose. This time both the check engine light and cooling system lights are on continuosly despite having proper fluid levels. Along with the other problems every time the car is started in the morning or any time the engine is cold it idles roughly for about 20 seconds and then quits and no one can explain this weird phenomena but is sure seems to happen to the majority of these cars. Needless to say with Ford's lack of attention to these matters not just mine but all of them this will be my last auto bearing the Ford name.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

When driving vehicle stalled out and overheated without prior warning, causing engine to burn up. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Consumer states her problem was exactly what recall 00V367 was for.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Without warning engine check light came on causing vehicle to start to knock and make alot of noise. Prior to this incident, vehicle was taken to dealer to be checked for excessive use of oil.

- Exton, PA, USA

The battery light comes on, it will dim down while the consumer is driving and then the engine will quit, the dealer replaced a faulty cable from the alternator to the junction block, could possibly be an engine problem instead of electrical because now the engine light stays illuminated.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Engine keeps overheating and causing smoke under hood when driving. Consumer has taken vehicle into Ford on three different occasions, and Ford claimed that they repaired problem.

- Lexington, KY, USA

No comment. No safety defect.

- San Jose, CA, USA

I have previously had problems with this vehicle and have taken it more than eight different times to be service and problem still has not been resolved even after having engine replaced I am having some of the same problems. Car has been serviced on a regular basis and still it has problems.E..

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Possible engine failure resulted in vehicle fire. (Ohio traffic crash report)

- Kent, OH, USA

Loss of power while traveling. Problem have occurred on several occasions, and been in / out of dealer's shop on several occasions, and still unable to find cause or duplicate the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

Vehicle got hot when it came to complete stop. If consumer shifted gear into reverse and applied gas pedal, vehicle would turn off. Vehicle turned on and off intermittently. Vehicle doesn't turn off if the vehicle is cold.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA