Carrier/rack problems of the 1998 Ford Contour

There were no traumatic events such as crashes or injuries. My complaint is about an equipment failure due to a defect of which Ford was aware. The front coil springs of my 1998 Ford Contour broke early in July 2004. The car had 164000 miles on it. Although they did not issue a recall, Ford did issue an extended warranty on the front coil springs for 10 years, 150,000 miles. (this is documented in NHTSA campaign id number : 01i013000) this was issued on August 3, 2001. That is also the date for a recall for the installation of spring catcher brackets in case the springs broke. (NHTSA campaign id number : 01v255000) I had my vehicle in for the recall on 3/29/2002. I called the toll-free number provided by Ford about this problem (1-866-436-7332) and also heard on a recorded message at that number that another make of Ford car (taurus) is currently under a repair program for the same problem: corosion of the front coil springs. This recall program is for 1999-2001 taurs and sables started, according to the recording, in the first week of August 2004. This taurus-sable program offers free replacement of the coil spring for taurus and sable models for 10 years/150,000 miles or until July 31, 2005 if the vehicle is over the mileage requirement in the extended warranty. Also during the recording at the toll free phone number, there is notification of a safety spring shield recall that will go into effect December 2004. I believe it is basically the same safety recall program offered for the same problem on my Ford Contour in 2001. It is my contention that the reason the taurus/sable was given a free repair offer until July 31 2005 regardless of mileage is because the taurus is one of Ford's banner models. I believe that the offer of free repairs until July 31, 2005 was not made for the Contour because the Contour is a model that was discontinued some time ago. There are relatively few Contours compared to the Ford taurus and sable, which Ford still sells.

My 1998 Contour is at 128,225 miles. The problems that I have experienced with the car are the following: -the headlights go out of aim and moisture collects in the headlamp and when the moisture dries it leaves a film on the inside of the lens. The brightness of the headlights is terrible. I can barely see at night even when it is a clear night. I have had several near misses. I almost hit a man on a bicycle the other night. He had reflectors on his bike but I didn't see him till I was right up behind him. I haven't had this fixed because I can't afford to pay two four hundred dollars for a new pair of headlamps. I have been actually looking in salvage yards. -another thing is the transmission. It shifts out hard between first and second gears. Now it jerks when I go up hills or when I let off of the gas pedal. I figure if I take it to the Ford dealership they will tell me that I have to replace it. -the next thing is the drivers seat. The seat track itself has rust on some of the parts. The driver seat is the only one with the rust problem. When you sit in the seat it rocks side to side (from door to center console). This scares me because I read someone else's complaint and he said he was hit from behind and the seat and the track itself broke on him.

The paint on the 1998 contor is cracking on the hood, roof and trunk of the vehical and is casing the paint to begin peeling. No safety defect.