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.
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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: 1999
The BMW is a fantastic car in terms of handling and engine power. It's one of the better cars I've owned, and I have a whole group of enthusiasts who agree with me.
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Vehicle year: 1997
I'm so glad to hear that you liked your car so much that you bought another one! It's impressive that you've been commuting 100 miles a day round trip for the past 7 years, and it's great that you've kept such detailed maintenance records for all of your cars over the past 10 years. Based on all of the costs of ownership, including depreciation, it sounds like this car was the clear winner. The new one you just bought with the V-6, sunroof, and leather interior sounds like a great choice!
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Vehicle year: 1995
I was lucky enough to purchase my grandparents' '95 SE, which had most of the bells and whistles, but had barely been driven. At only five years old, it had a mere 11,000 miles on the clock. Since then, I have only had to tighten a coupling in the EGR system, which has resolved the accompanying clicking noise and 'check engine' light. Although the cup holder is now broken, the important features of the car still work perfectly, even though it is now seven years old with only 24K miles.
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Vehicle year: 1998
I bought my SE back in 1998 with only 15K miles on it. Since then, it has never let me down. With just regular maintenance, it has proven to be the most reliable car I have ever owned. It gets an impressive 27MPG in town and a best of 34MPG on the highway, which is unbeatable. Even with 112,000 miles on it, it still starts and drives like it did when I first bought it. While the ride may be a little stiff for some, it is very well controlled and makes me want to take curves and turns faster than I really need to. The cornering manners are excellent. It is very comfortable in town and perfect for road trips. My SE has the 2.0 Zetec engine, which delivers more than enough power for commuting, but could use a little more for driving in the mountains.
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Vehicle year: 1998
The safety features of this car are excellent. Despite being involved in a severe accident where the car was totaled and hit at a speed in excess of 50mph, both airbags deployed, and I was driving, I was able to walk out of the hospital the same day. This experience has only reinforced my appreciation for this car and its exceptional safety features.
Are you having problems with your Ford Contour?
Zion Hilpert 2025-08-21
Vehicle year: 1995
I had a tough time with my Ford Contour. Every part of the vehicle seems to be made from toy plastic. The gear shift can be effortlessly bent and the cupholders were ripped out by a 3 year old child. I had to replace front & rear springs, front & rear suspension, front & rear brakes, and timing system. I would recommend not buying this car unless it is for a very short period of time and out of complete desperation. However, the transmission is holding up and the radio still works. Several mechanics have confirmed that the heater will be the next to go. So, be careful out there car-buyers.
Jedidiah Kautzer 2025-08-06
Vehicle year: 1996
I'm really pleased with how my Contour has held up over the years. Even when there was a recall for the heater switch failure and the cupholder was redesigned in '97 to prevent spills during left-hand turns, I still felt like my car was in good hands. Ford made some great improvements after '96, like making 15
Carroll Waelchi 2025-08-06
Vehicle year: 2000
Contour was a good car! It could have been even better if they had given it the trim it deserved and more options for a nicer interior. However, as a commuter car, it has been terrific! It's still going strong at 160,000 miles and still gets 31 mpg.
Gilberto Jakubowski 2025-08-03
Vehicle year: 1995
This car can be a great choice if you find one that has been well-maintained. I purchased mine with over 100K miles, so it wasn't in the best condition. The biggest issue I faced was with the underhood electrical system, which failed in multiple places due to heat, as well as the fragile transmission and dry-rotted suspension mounts. Although the electrical system on certain contours was recalled, mine was over the time/mileage limit. However, the 2.5 Duratec V6 engine is the best part of this car, especially if you get the SVT. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much low-end torque, so a 5-speed is the best choice for this car. Fuel economy isn't great, but you can improve it by ensuring that the car has been well-maintained.
Nico McClure 2025-07-19
Vehicle year: 1995
I have a '95 Ford Contour with 201,000 miles on it. Although I have discontinued driving it because it was trying to run hot with the AC on and I decided not to put any more money into it, I never had any major problems with it, just lots of minor ones. Sometimes the car was a royal pain, let me standing by the side of the road more than one time but once everything short of the engine & transmission was replaced, it seemed to get better. Despite the numerous recalls on this car, I got all the goody out of this one. However, I wouldn't buy another one.