general problems of the 1997 Ford Contour

Could not get an inspection sticker - no mechanic could find out why the check engine will not go off -very costly. It stalls when raining, the passenger door handle does not work, it has to warm up for 5 minutes before it will move, the tail lights came loose, causing melting of housing, every valve imaginable has been replaced, belt squeals when air or defrost turned on.

Starting every spring, lasting through the summer, there is a fuel smell in the cabin. Every Ford dealer claims not to smell it, and they have never heard of the problem. It usually occurs in over drive.

There is a fuel smell inside of vehicle. Dealer replaced catalytic converter sensor 4 times, and once coolant sensor. But, it did not remedy problem.

Owner received recall notice in April, contacted dealer and was told parts had to be ordered. Parts are still unavailable. Recall # 97v067000.