Seven problems related to brake electric antilock have been reported for the 1997 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When I tried to make a sudden stop the rear wheels locked, the car spun about 90 degrees and hit a bridge. Air bags both deployed, I was injured and taken to a hospital. There was a recall of this vehicle for this problem in April 2000 but I was not sent a recall notice. I received a recall notice on 6-23-2000 after complaining to Ford; Ford did not fulfill their obligation to notify me of this safety recall. My compaint is two-fold: first, Ford has produced a defective product and is responsible for damages caused by this product, and second, Ford failed to notify me in a timely manner about this defect so that I could have the defect corrected. I have suffered minor personal injury, vehicle repair expenses, added insurance premiums (future), trip interuption, and loss of use of the vehicle for approximately 30 days. When I contacted Ford by telephone I was offered kind conversation but no explanation for their negligence, no offer to compensate me for damages, and no other contact at Ford who could respond to my complaint.
Hydraulic control unit failed, causing erractic performance of abs. Cause is unknown.
Was driving 70mph & started to apply brakes to slow down, vehicle went into a 180 degree spin. Another vehicle hit the right side. Vehicle winded up facing opposite direction towards traffic. Will be taking to dealer.
Problems occurred since car was less than 500 miles old. The cutting off of the engine has been reported from that time and still occurs after 17,600 miles. Problem cannot be found. Loss control of vehicle when the abs and engine shut down when driving during a snowy weather. Loss control of car and went off the road. Other problems include driver seat moves forward intermittently when braking.
1. Parking brake seized without warning in wet weather with outside temperatures below freezing, especially when parking brake was left engaged for several hours while car was parked outdoors. Left rear wheel would lock up intermittently, causing difficulty in maintaining control of vehicle and nearly causing two accidents. Also made ascending icy hills from a stop very difficult, as both rear wheels would lock. This sometimes caused the vehicle to slowly roll backward into path of oncoming traffic. 2. Transmission shifted only at very low engine speeds (less than 2500 rpm), causing much slower than normal acceleration, and excess use of brakes when descending long, steep grades. Driving with knowledge of problem allowed me to avoid situations where rapid acceleration or extended periods of brake use were necessary, but problem still reduced margin of safety. Both these problems were eventually repaired under warranty after numerous dealership denials and delays. Dates and mileages of components failures are estimates, and not exact.
When coming to a stop and applying the brakes they make a roaring sound. Dealer claims the brakes are working properly.
While driving the consumer noticed that the brake pedal descended to the floor and the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance. The vehicle has been in for the same repairs three times.