Front Suspension Problems of Ford Contour

I printed out all of the recalls on 1996, Ford Contour but when I went to the Ford place they said the recalls are not on my particular car. So is that so? that cars are made in batches and only certain batches are recalled. I have a 1996 Ford Contour, 4 cylinder motor. That does have all of the problems on the recall list for my car.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Contour 🔎.

This car is a lemon - it is not safe.

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.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Contour 🔎.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Loud humming noise and vibration during right turn. Taken to dealer and repaired at my cost prior to complete failure.

When consumer steered to the left vehicle pulled more than intended. Dealer inspected the vehicle & found nothing wrong. The steering problem is caused by bad front end alignment. The transmission failed. Broken motor mount was found. The heater failed too.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Contour 🔎.

The consumer hears a squeak in the left front wheel.

Front end will not stay aligned it has been realigned 3 times 3/28/00 last time, and the front drivers side tire has been replaced 5 times, it is already showing wear, and its only been 1200 since it was realigned. We have not had the car 1 full year.

Vehicle vibrated at 10 mph. Took to dealer, and they stated there was vibration, but it was normal for these cars. At 6000 miles front passenger and drivers side tire were wearing out. At 17000 miles all 4 tire were worn. Dealer willingly replaced all 4. Please provide any further information.

Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 Ford Contour. There has been so many recalls on consumer's vehicle that she wasn't aware of because the manufacturer never sent notices. Since then consumer has been paying for entire full price and is asking for reimbursement. However, the biggest problem with the vehicle is the gas fumes which is leaking therefore leaving poisonous carbon monoxide fumes coming in through the heater vents. These harsh chemicals are damaging to the lungs, brain, respiratory system and its making consumer very tired among other symptoms.

Car has been in shop 1/2 of time owned for numerous problems. Brake system had to be replaced in first two weeks and took company 4 weeks to "order" pads and rotors. Alignment is constantly off, since day car was picked up. Tires have been replaced once suppossedly,one is again wearing incorrectly and has very loud road noise. Paint was bubbly, carpet laid wrong, now power window makes horrible noises going up and down. Car has been more of a pain than anything I ever bought.

Front end defect causes car to eat tires, unable to align or fix problem, currently dealer is attempting solutions but so far none found.

The airbag light is on. When applying the brakes there is a squeaking noise coming from the brakes. Also, the front end misalignment, causing vibration.

When driving at any speed there is a knocking and clucking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, headlights are working intermittently.

When traveling at any speed the vehicle cuts off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. In addition, the steering wheel shakes when traveling over 60 mph, resulting in poor steering control. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.

The vehicle vibrates when driving about 60mph ,on the front end. Dealer has seen four times. Problem still exist. Mjs.

Repeated stalling, missing & loss of power appears mostly when it's very hot out & car has been driven a lot. Rough idle even under no load in neutral. No indicators light except during stall which happens even with clutch depressed. Missing is most noticeable during acceleration or steady highway speeds, even with cruise on. Car sometimes shakes at high speed (70mph). Multiple alignments never show same results. Dealer can never duplicate, says I am dumping clutch to stall & loss of power is due to a/c. They also claim excessive tire wear is due to my driving habits. ( dot number: ).

While driving 65-70 mph vehicle pulled to the right, resulting in vehicle being extremely hard to control, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Vehicle excessive tire wear due to front end alignment problem. Yh.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Contour 🔎.

Rubbing noise while driving--noise is louder when turning wheel to left when changing lanes and going around curves.

Within 6 months of the purchase of my vehicle, the car started having problems with vibrations, shaking, and severe noise while driving. The engine idled rough and got more severe when the heating or cooling system was used. All tires have been replaced, a major brake job with rotors turned was completed, and the struts were replaced. Regardless of this work, the shaking in the car has gotten progressively worse. I have taken my car to the dealership five times for the same problems. They have either said that it was "normal Contour" or that it was the tires. Finally, they indicate that there is a problem but they cannot determine what it is. My car makes a thumping noise and a squealing noise when I make slow right turns. On several occasions my foot has been on the brake pedal and my car surged forward. At one point I thought that the person behind me had hit me because the car jerked so hard and so unexpectedly. Again, I am told that this is normal. This is the worst car that I have ever owned.

While driving vehicle at 45 to 50 mph steering wheel vibrates, cause unknown. Also, vehicle has excessive brake noise.

Consumer took this vehicle in to be repaired under the recall 99s14 for an ignition switch, the vehicle was repaired, but now theirs is a problem with front end vibrating very hard. The dealer has been contacted.

Problems started at 119miles, dealers either don't confirm problem or say it's normal for this car. Multiple repair attempts at 4 dealers. Severe vibration and pull at highway speeds are the tires (confired with my winter tires-no problem), klunking from front end when going over bumps, all dash warning lights come on during winter at idle-go out after restart or engine acceleration, front seats wobble side to side-dealer says normal for car-wan't present when new, pulsing front end shimmy on highway-not tire related-possible cv shaft issue-dealers stated npf, engine spark knocks under light loads-no change with different gas grades or brands-dealers says npf, headlamps go dim at idle-dealers says normal-not present when new, poor low beam visibility from headlamps, aluminum wheels are too porous-lose abnormal air amounts-dealer says npf. Most of these have been since new or started within 1st year of new- no dealers has yet "confirmed" problems when they are readily apparent to others. In shop for over 3 months total since new. (tiresize: p205/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 ).

Wiring harness malfunctioned/shorted out. Also, when turning left, vehicle made a knocking noise.

My 1996 Contour has literally broken down. I have 99,000 miles and have completely replaced the transmission, the front suspension system, and the car still is not dependable, and the same problems re-occur. I hpay more in repairs than I do for my monthly payment.