Five problems related to underhood wiring have been reported for the 1999 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
: the contact stated the vehicle caught on fire while in gear. A pop noise was heard and smoke came out from under the hood. The front of the vehicle then caught fire. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss and it was never taken to a service dealer. A fire department report was processed. Updated 12/11/06.
Windshield wipers will come on intermittently, and air bag light illuminates while driving, causing vehicle to stall and die. Dealer has been notified. Car was on fire which burned up fuse box.
We were driving (one mile from home) when it sounded like we had a flat tire. I pulled over and checked. Tires were fine. Heard thumping again. Turned car around because of 87 year old father in vehicle. Smoke came through the vents. I pulled into the driveway. Smoke came out from under hood. Husband was doing yard work. My son adam yelled that there were flames. My husband ran to the garage and got a fire extinguisher. Put fire out. Had to cut two wires to stop the smoking and sizzling. Contacted state farm. A fire investigator said he believes that the way the wires were routed onto the fire wall, rubbed against a screw that was sticking out of the fire wall and over time wore the wire, causing a fire.
The dealership admited that a technician left a wire loose when they installed a new motor in my car. They were repairing all damage due to the fire. They did not. My son had an accident 4 months later. When the airbags deployed, the passanger side airbag was burnt and melted, therefore never completely deploying.
I have had car in shop 4 different times,they changed to rotors and brakes the first time at 3,000 miles. They claim the rotors were warped from the factory. The next 2 times they claim the car is fine,the last time ( car is still in the shop since 2/15/00 this is written to you 3-09-00) they are replacing the front rotors and brakes again, they say they are replacing the defrost switch and a wiring harness,the engine drivetrain they don't know???. I have lost time at work and I don't fell safe in the car. I refuse to take my "family" anywhere in this car!!!!!.