14 problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 1998 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1. Abs brake fuse and blower motor fuse are one and the same, darn cold in minnesota, and hard to get too to replace. Must pull out battery first. To replace the hydraulic pump for abs brakes to fix problem. . . $3000. 00, more than the car is worth for trade in or resale value. I found this out after hitting a deer on Nov. 26 2004. And does not include cosmetic damage. Air bags did not deploy either. 2. Front and back window molding is shrinking and forcing windows out, very drafty. 3. Shift module failed, took to Ford dealer to replace, when replaced the dash board started smoking. The neighbor module burnt up, and all the dash board wiring. Total cost to repair $1200. 00, but the dealership took off $200. 00 of the labor costs. 4. I called Ford on several different occasions to complain. They will not stand behind their product. I have dealers that will not take it on a trade in, because it's a Contour.
Dealership replaced the bronze terminals, but refused to replace the headlight switch as stated in the headlight switch/wire harness recall 99v103000. Instrument panel lights and headlights were not working properly.
While driving 50mph heat was extremly hot coming from under the dashboard.
Turn signal electrical harness malfunction, no 4-way or turn signal at all. Replaced with another electrical harness, worked for about 3 weeks then malfunctioned again, this time left turn signal inop at the harness(sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. ).
This vehicle has been a "lemon" since purchased new in August, 1997 from sam galloway Ford in fort myers, florida. From the beginning, the car drove "rough" not smooth. The vehicle constantly was vibrating, and simply got worse over time. The vibrations would occur at speeds as low as about 40 miles per hour, increasing the faster you drove. You could actually feel and see your body shake. The ride was the total opposite of a smooth one. Rough and bumpy, even on smooth, florida roads. The vehicle felt like you were "pushing" or "forcing" it to drive. The gear shift has always been difficult to manuver, generally sticking while trying to change gears. A couple of times, this nearly caused an accident, due to the inability to change gears. When reported to Ford, the only response that that "per the manual, the transmission needed some type of overhaul, at a cost of about $500. Also, several times, there was smoke and a burning rubber type smell emitting from the air vents. This was brought into Ford several times, and not fixed. The final time, the entire car filled with smoke--I called the service manager, marlon hanson, from the vehicle on my cell phone, because I was scared that the car may burst into flames. His remarks made it sound like "no big deal" just bring in the car. Meanwhile, I had to pull over, I was so scared, not knowing if the vehicle was going to start on fire or even blow up. This vehicle was brought in twice more for this repair, and finally appears to be fixed. We were told that it was some wiring that was burning, or starting on fire. Our only compensation for that was a free rental car, after I pressured the service manager. The cassette portion of the radio broke early on. Never addressed that issue with dealer or Ford. Steering column is increasingly difficult to manuever-very hard to turn. Airbag warning light intermittendly comes on, at any speed. Tires have been replaced, but newer tire keeps deflating--per tbs, coil spring problem?*a.
Blower started functioning sporadically. Took to a dealer and they reported that there was a resistor failure in blower. Ford refused to acknowledge the problem.
Front coil spring broke and punctured front tire, car left road and had to be towed.
Consumer's vehicle was sitting at a friend house, and vehicle started to burn from the dashboard. Vehicle was totaled.
My car frequently smells like an electrical fire. I hardly ever drive it. I am especially concerned about the recent articles about possible fires in Contour models. I would like more information about this situation.
4 recalls-that I know of- now this problem-will stall sometimes.
Electrical smell and smoke came from dash area. Wife and 2 children abandoned car. Car was serviced at dealer in georgia. Two days after first repair same electrical smell and smoke. Wife and two children abondoned car for a second time. Wife is concerned over childrens safety. Taken to second dealer. Service manager observed problem while he was driving vehicle. Smoke was coming from dash. Dealer quickly opened glove box. Vehicle was repaired at no charge the second time. Problem was with wiring harness. Neither the dealer nor Ford has informed me of root cause. Am concerned problem can again occur without warning. Have read similar complaints to NHTSA. Desire to know root cause, and fix to assure safety of family.
Consumer took vehicle in for a mfr. Recall repairs , under dash fire broke out while in the dealer shop for repairs; needs help on this matter.
Vehicle is without dash lights and tail lights. Dealership will not honor recall.
While driving dash caught fire right behind the glove compartment. Fire was electrical. Dealer replaced wiring harness and 3 resistor boards.