Ford Contour problems
The Ford Mondeo I (first generation) is a mid-size car that was produced by Ford, beginning on 23 November 1992, with sales beginning on 22 March 1993. It is also known as the Mk I Mondeo; the 1996 facelift versions are usually designated Mk II. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk. In December 1992, Autocar published a section on the Mondeo, and how it would conquer rivals.
Intended as a world car, it replaced the Ford Sierra in Europe, the Ford Telstar in a large portion of Asia and other markets, while the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique replaced the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz in North America. Despite being billed as a world car, the only external items the Mondeo shared initially with the Contour were the windscreen, front windows, front mirrors and door handles. Thus, the CDW27 project turned out not to be a true world car in the sense that the original Ford Focus and newer Fords developed under the "One Ford" policy turned out to be. The first generation Mondeo was replaced in 2000, by the larger second generation; in the United States and Canada, the Contour/Mystique were replaced initially by the Focus and later the Fusion.
Design and development
Mk I
Instigated in 1986 (just before its Sierra predecessor received a major facelift), the design of the car cost Ford US$6 billion. It was one of the most expensive new-car programmes ever. The Mondeo was significant as its design and marketing were shared between Ford USA in Dearborn and Ford of Europe. Its codename while under development reflected thus: CDW27 signified that it straddled the C and D size classes and was a "world car". The head of the Mondeo project was John Oldfield, headquartered at Ford Dunton in Essex.
A large proportion of the high development cost was due to the Mondeo being a completely new design, sharing very little, if anything, with the Ford Sierra. Unlike the Sierra, the Mondeo is front-wheel drive in its most common form, with a rarer four-wheel drive version available on the Mk I car only. Over-optimistically, the floor pan was designed to accept virtually any conceivable drivetrain, from a transverse inline-four engine to a longitudinal V-8. This resulted in a hugely intrusive and mostly disused bellhousing cover and transmission tunnel. Resultingly the front interior, especially the footwells, feels more cramped than would be expected from a vehicle of this size. The Mondeo featured new manual and automatic transmissions and sophisticated suspension design, which give it class-leading handling and ride qualities, and subframes front and rear to give it executive car refinement. The automatic transmission featured electronic control with sport and economy modes plus switchable overdrive. The program manager from 1988, and throughout its early development, was David Price.
By 1989, Ford had confirmed that it would be launching an all-new front-wheel drive car to replace the Sierra within the next four years, although it had not yet decided whether the Sierra name would continue or be replaced, with some subsequent reports even hinting that the Cortina name could make a comeback, having been axed in 1982 when replaced by the Sierra. Several prototypes were tested that year, but the launch of the Nissan Primera in 1990 prompted Ford to make a number of major alterations to the final product, as it saw the new competitor from Nissan to be the benchmark car in this sector, having previously identified the Honda Accord as the class leader.
The car was launched in the midst of turbulent times at Ford of Europe, when the division was haemorrhaging hundreds of millions of dollars, and had gained a reputation in the motoring press for selling products which had been designed by accountants rather than engineers. The fifth-generation Escort and third-generation Orion of 1990 was the zenith of this cost-cutting/high-price philosophy, which was by then beginning to backfire on Ford, with the cars being slated for their substandard ride and handling, though a facelift in 1992 had seen things improve a little. The Sierra had sold well, but not as well as the all-conquering Cortina before it, and in Britain, it had been overtaken in the sales charts by the newer Vauxhall Cavalier. Previously loyal customers were already turning to rival European and Japanese products, and by the time of the Mondeo's launch, the future of Europe as a Ford manufacturing base was hanging in the balance. The new car had to be good, and it had to sell. It was unveiled to the public on 23 November 1992, although sales would not begin for another four months. At this stage, Ford confirmed that the new car would feature a completely new name and would be called the Mondeo.
Safety was a high priority in the Mondeo design, with a driver's side airbag (it was the first-ever car sold from the beginning with a driver's airbag in all of its versions, which helped it achieve the European Car of the Year title for 1994), side-impact bars, seat belt pretensioners, and antilock braking systems (higher models) as standard features. Other features for its year included adaptive damping, self-leveling suspension (top estate models), traction control (V6 and 4WD versions), and heated front windscreen, branded Quickclear.
The interiors were usually well-appointed, featuring velour trim, an arm rest with CD and tape storage, central locking (frequently remote), power windows (all round on higher models), power mirrors, illuminated entry, flat-folding rear seats, etc. Higher-specification models had leather seats, trip computers, electric sunroof, CD changer, and alloy wheels.
During its development, Ford used the 1986 Honda Accord and in the later stages the 1990 Nissan Primera as the class benchmarks that the CDW27 had to beat.
Social links
Ford Contour model years
Common Ford Contour problems
The Ford Contour, introduced in the mid-1990s, is known for its crisp handling and European-style performance. However, it has also been associated with certain mechanical issues, particularly transmission problems.
Transmission Issues:
The most common problem reported by Ford Contour owners is related to the transaxles, specifically the 5-speed manual transmission.
Maintenance and Repair Issues:
In addition to transmission problems, the Ford Contour has been known for other maintenance and repair issues, even when the cars were still under warranty. These issues have been reported to persist even after the warranty period, affecting the overall ownership experience.
Limited Interior Space:
The Ford Contour's interior has also been a subject of criticism, with some owners reporting that the cabin feels cramped and small, particularly for taller drivers and passengers. Despite attempts to increase rear-passenger space, the Contour's interior remains relatively snug, which can be a drawback for those seeking more room and comfort.
While the Ford Contour offers a unique blend of performance and European handling, its history of transmission problems and limited interior space have been noted as areas of concern for potential buyers. Prospective owners should be aware of these issues and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
How reliable is a Ford Contour?
The average rating is a 3.9 out of 5 stars.
What is the problem with the 1995 Ford Contour?
Most Common 1995 Ford Contour Problems
Transmission problems are common in this model, often as a result of a failed front pump. the pump loses its ability... The check engine light can illuminate with codes due to the lack of egr (exhaust gas recirculation) flow caused. this...
What happened to the Ford Contour?
The first generation Mondeo was replaced in 2000, by the larger second generation; in the United States and Canada, the Contour/Mystique were replaced initially by the Focus and later the Fusion.
What was the last year they made the Ford Contour?
2000
With Ford deciding to cancel production of the Contour model for sale in the USA after the 2000 model year, 2000 became the final year for the SVT Contour.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ford Contour years
We have researched Ford problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ford Contour cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Ford Contour model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ford Contour model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ford Contour years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ford Contour car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ford Contour , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ford Contour vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Contour model years
A total of 182 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Contour model years
There were a total of 154 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Contour model years
There were a total of 209 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Contour model years
There were a total of 15 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 3663 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford Contour . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford Contour vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Ford Contour 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-02-08
- VIN: 1FAFP6637WK
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: Vehicle won't pass inspection due to a Broken or cracked coil spring front passenger side. It was in a recall that we never received notification. And I don't feel like we should be out over $200 to get it licensed.
Ford Contour 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-01
- Date Complaint: 2023-05-03
- VIN: 1FAFP6538XK
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The dash is curling up
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2007-12-27
- Date Complaint: 2021-09-20
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3falp6535tm
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owned a 1996 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, going downhill, the vehicle hit black ice, then crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags deployed and detached upon impact, slicing the contact's head open, snapped his fifth and sixth vertebrae, and the seatbelt fractured his ribs. The police were called to the scene of the collision. The police officer informed the contact that the air bag had detached from the steering wheel and was in the rear passenger seat. A police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Ford Contour 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2019-05-15
- Date Complaint: 2020-06-15
- VIN: 1FAFP66L2YK
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2017-04-01
- Date Complaint: 2018-12-17
- Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2001. THE PAST 6 MO MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING OR SOMETHING MELTING. ALMOST LIKE ITS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE
Ford Contour 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-20
- Date Complaint: 2018-11-22
- VIN: 1FALP6537SK
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 322 ON DAY AND HAD TO HIT THE BREAK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY BREAK FLUID RESIVOUR AND IT WAS EMPTY. I THINK THE PASSENGER SIDE DRUM BREAK IS LEAKING FLUID.
Ford Contour 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2018-11-21
- Date Complaint: 2018-11-22
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: "TAKARA RECALL" MY HEATER MOTOR IN MY 98 FORD CONTOUR SE JUST STOPPED WORKING.
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2006-12-24
- Date Complaint: 2017-05-25
- VIN: 3FALP65L4TM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE WIRE HARNESS MOTOR, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL INJECTION ARE BAD ,AND WAS STATIONARY 5 YEAR AGO LIKE MANY MANY MANY CONTOURS AND MISTYQUES IN MY COUNTRY , I NEED A SOLUTION PLEASE, COUSE RESPONSABILITY IS FROM FORD COMPANY IN ALL THE WORLD. THANK YOU. I AM IN MEXICO.
Ford Contour 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-14
- Date Complaint: 2017-02-15
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: REAR FRAME, SUSPENSION RUSTED COMPLETELY INTO AN WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND THREW ME INTO DITCH. THIS IS COMPLETELY NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE 1960'S CARS %100 BETTER THAN THIS . I KNOW THIS IS A 1999 BUT THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE.
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-29
- Date Complaint: 2016-05-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FALP6539TK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD FAIL TO START DUE TO A MELTED WIRE IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Ford Contour 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2014-09-30
- Date Complaint: 2016-03-26
- VIN: 1FAFP6536XK
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE CAR HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING APART. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES AND WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY EXTREME CONDITIONS. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKS OUT OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE ALMOST AS QUICKLY AS IT IS POURED IN AND HAS LEFT THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE WITHOUT EXPENSIVE REPAIRS.
Ford Contour 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2013-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2015-12-03
- VIN: WK115530
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL I AND OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND IT'S DEFECTIVE PARTS INCLUDING THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS YET THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE NOR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM STATING IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL T*JBREATING EACH PERSON WHO HAS CONTACTED THEM AS IF THEY ARE AN ISLAND AND THIS IS A ISOLATED EVENT MY WATER PUMP,FLASHERS,BRAKE LIGHTS,HAVE BEEN ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MAKING ME UNABLE TO REGISTER MY CAR AND GET UPDATED TAGS PLEASE CONTACT T ME REGARDING THIS MATTER AS I AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED HELP WITH THIS .[XXX] VIA EMAIL ALSO [XXX]. VIN INVALID INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR*JB
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2015-08-11
- Date Complaint: 2015-10-17
- VIN: 1FALP67L1TK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM A USED CAR DEALER ON 8/11/15. THE CAR HAS 58606 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. WIRING HARNESS WAS UNDER THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND NOT REPAIRED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE AND MECHANIC SAYS THE CAR IS A FIRE HAZARD AND HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER ANY TYPE OF RECALL AND THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE PART.
Ford Contour 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2015-09-29
- Date Complaint: 2015-10-07
- VIN: 1FALP6534TK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TAILLIGHT AND FRONT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
Ford Contour 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2015-09-14
- Date Complaint: 2015-09-17
- VIN: 1FALP6538WK
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A WET ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED EVERY TIME THE ROAD WAS WET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Latest 5 recalls Ford Contour
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 55 recalls for different components of the Ford Contour.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Ford Contour 1995
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
- Model: Ford Contour 1999
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
- Model: Ford Contour 1996
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
- Model: Ford Contour 1997
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
- Model: Ford Contour 1998
- Report Received Date: 2008-04-14
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTS
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Latest negative Ford Contour car reviews
Latest positive Ford Contour car reviews
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Vehicle year: 1998
I've always owned Ford vehicles, but this one has to be the best yet! I'm totally impressed. The number one tip I can share with everyone is to stay on top of your oil changes. I've received many cards stating it has many recalls, but the way I figured it was, if it isn't broken, why fix it? Now, if I would have had a problem, then that's a different story. I just traveled over 1950 miles and only spent $87.00 in gas. No lie. So, I have no complaints. My car has been everywhere and aside from a flat tire (to be expected!), no other complaints. Thanks, Ford Company! I'm still a committed customer.
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Vehicle year: 1995
Fun to drive car. Great handling and road feel. Good visibility. Comfortable firm ride. Some reliability problems that can be mitigated substantially by reading the technical bulletins and FAQ on www.contour.org
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Vehicle year: 2000
I have now owned my Contour for about a year and I have had the time of my life.My parents got it for me assuming it was a little wimpy Contour but they dont know what they got me. I love my car dearly it feels like I am driving a race car because it has such good low end torque and gives me good accel to race. Z28s Mustangs and other cars have a lot higher top speed but i have kept up with plenty of Mustangs off lights 0-50 and you dont get much of a chance to race higher than that with so many cops now. I have raced alot of cars and suprised them becasue they thought it was a lousy four banger but they got messed up for example aleros and stuff.
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Vehicle year: 1995
The car has always run well. However, after 86000 miles, the water pump failed and needed to be replaced. Similarly, around the same mileage, the antilock brake system needed to be rebuilt. It is possible that this could have been avoided if the brake fluid was changed more often.
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Vehicle year: 1999
I took on this contour when it had 196,000 miles. The seller fixed an exhaust problem and since then, I have been taking good care of it. I have replaced the upper outer ball joints, had the brakes redone with new fluid, did rear struts, changed the front wheel bearings, changed the transmission fluid, P/S fluid, drained and flushed the radiator, and changed the valve cover gasket. I do oil changes every 3000 miles and I am proud to say that I get 30 mpg. Just now, I may be looking at changing the water pump and timing belt, but this car is worth it! With 230,000 miles and still running strong, I am confident that it will continue to serve me well.
Are you having problems with your Ford Contour?
Neal Bahringer 2025-06-13
Vehicle year: 1999
We purchased our '99 Ford Contour over a year ago with 75,000 miles on it. Since then, we have only needed to perform regular maintenance such as oil changes and brake replacements. While the interior was in good condition, we did notice some warping on the dashboard after the first month. However, it is important to note that we live in Las Vegas where temperatures inside a parked car can reach up to 160 degrees. Despite this, the car has never broken down on us and we have not experienced any major issues. Overall, we would recommend this car for a student or high schooler, but it may be too small for a family. It is a very dependable car as long as you keep up with regular maintenance.
Lesley Ward 2025-06-02
Vehicle year: 1999
This is our second Contour. Although we had some reliability issues with our first one, we loved the car so much that we decided to buy a brand new Contour. We were hoping that proper maintenance and care would eliminate any potential problems. However, we have had some issues with our new car as well. Despite this, we still enjoy driving it as a family car and think it looks great.
Kareem Kiehn 2025-05-28
Vehicle year: 1998
In my experience, I found that the engine of this car model can be unreliable and prone to overheating. It may be challenging to maintain and repair, which is something to consider before purchasing. However, with proper care and attention, it can still be a reliable vehicle for some drivers.
Thomas Eichmann 2025-05-18
Vehicle year: 1995
Hi there! It's great to hear that you've had a positive experience with your 2.0L 4 cylinder GL model. It sounds like it's been a reliable car for your daily commute, which is fantastic. Although it's starting to show its age with some repairs needed, it's great to hear that you're still getting good gas mileage. It's understandable that some parts may need replacing after so many miles, but it's good to know that you wouldn't hesitate to buy another one with lower mileage. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Eldon Osinski 2025-05-17
Vehicle year: 1995
The engine/transmission in this car is truly remarkable. The 2.5L V6 with 5sp is an absolute joy to drive and can easily outperform many sports cars. However, the ride quality is not up to par with most sports cars and can be quite jarring. Additionally, the interior, while aesthetically pleasing with its leather finish, is cramped and poorly laid out. Unfortunately, I have experienced electrical issues since the first day of ownership, and the emergency brake tends to stick when it freezes, making it difficult to release. Despite these setbacks, the car's performance is truly exceptional.