Headlights Problems of Ford Contour - part 1

Headlights do not provide sufficient illumination.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Contour 🔎.

On 98 Ford Contours both of the headlights form condensation on the inside and then become pitted. This greatly reduces the visibility at night and during stormy weather. We have changed the bulbs but not the entire headlight assembly. When we went to look for a set of headlights we discovered that all the used sets have the exact same problem. The lights need to be replaced and this problem is occurring on all Ford Contours and its Mercury counterpart.

Lenses of the headlights get water in them when it rains. When the mechanic opened found a lot water inside about a quart or more. Condensation has collected inside since she bought it. Internally, the tail light also blew.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Contour 🔎.

Well I had the worst experience ever in my life since I bought this car. I had this car repaired so many time I cant start to name off dates. I do know less than 6 months after I bought this car I drove to the beach less than 30 minutes always and it cut off. It started back up, but cut off 4 time before I got home. Next day I had to take it to the dealer to repair it. Since I had this car it has been nothing but a burden. I had to replace the ball joint once before, and as I write this letter it is being done again for a 2nd time. My heat and air stop working. Heat only works on high, and my defrost take for ever to clear my windows. My door just wont stay closed it pops open while driving. On my passengers side on the floor. It gets soaked with rain everything. If its rainy and im driving my car makes a loud scratching noise. My brakes have to be changed every 3-4 months. Shocks gave out less than a year after buying my car. My engine light wont go off. I took my car to over 3 Ford dealers and many shops, and no can say why the light keep popping on. So today I dropped my car off to the shop to have brakes,door,engine light, ball joints and to see why the over drive off light keep blinking while im driving. This is the worst car ever made by Ford. I know its nothing on my behalf why this car is so horrible because is know 4 other people who have or had the same problems as me. They were Smart enough to get rid of this piece of ¿!@#$%, I just cant afford it. Well I know this summer if I do have the pleasure and jungian this car, im going to push it off a bridge myself, and never ever by a Ford again. I think Ford should be assumed for putting out such a bad model. How dare u try and make a quick buck instead of building a reliable car for families.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop for regularly scheduled maintenance. The mechanic stated that the front passenger side coil spring failed. In 2001, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 01v255000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The dealer inspected the vehicle at that time and stated that no repair was needed. However, now that the failure has occurred, the manufacturer stated that the recall was no longer valid. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 81,000. Updated 01/09/08. The consumer stated the coils springs have been replaced twice in this vehicle. The dealer stated replaced headlight switch and cable in engine. Updated 12/12/07 updated 06/04/08.

My 1999 Ford Contour has less than 50,000 miles on it. The dashboard is coming unglued and has warped significantly. I am concerned that my safety is jeopardized. In addition, the headlights are literally falling out, due to what I perceive to be structural failure. There is no sign of visible rust or decay. Again, my safety is at risk, as my visibility is minimized by the inaccuracy of the aiming of the headlights.

Headlights overheated, causing the electrical harness to melt. The consumer noticed that the vehicle lights were not working. Nhtsa campaign id number : 99v103000. The problem has not been corrected as of yet.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Contour 🔎.

Car stalls when parallel parking, especially in reverse, or when parking slopes. Car stalled when starting up from red light in center city philadelphia intersections. Headlamps out of alignment (don't shine down onto road, beams not centered). Air bag light on control panels blinks sporadically, frequently; anxiety that air bag will deploy while driving. Dealer comment on stalling: "probably something stupid" and wasn't able to fix problem, mentioned something about a vacuum tube. Dealer charged $95 to tell me that the memory in the vehicle didn't give any codes for the stalling or air bag problems, then added that the memory is wiped clean every time the car is turned off. Question: if they know that about the car in the first place, why charge the customer for a pointless diagnostic? headlights still out of alignment after having been "adjusted" by dealer in January 2005.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Contour 🔎.

When driving the vehicle at night, the driver noticed that the headlights were dim. The consumer will take the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. Please provide any further details.

Over a period of time the headlight lens faded. This made it difficult to see while driving at night. The dealership has been notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide any additional information.

Headlights are inopertive, causing impaired vision. Dealer states headlight switch has melted, causing all lights to fail.

I went to the Ford dealership here in louisiana and showed them the papers that was sent to me concerning recalls for my year & make of car. I told them that some of the recalls on those papers was happening to my car and why haven't they been repaired when I brought my car in and they stated to me that if the VIN # for my car didn't come up as a recall and as long as the problem didn't exist then they could not repair it . And I stated that even though my VIN didn't come up and even though my car is having some these recalls problems yall are not going to repair them because my VIN # didn't come up and the problem is not existing right now all are not going to repair or fix these recalls, and I was told yes. Well, some of these recalls are existing on my car and I can't get the Ford place to repair or fix them why is that? I think that's very unfair to the customer.

Vehicle experienced same defec tas mentioned in recall #99v103000 concerning headlights. Ths vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. . . . . .

I own a 1998 Ford Contour. I have been having several problems with the headlamps. The passenger side headlamp hold moisture inside and the driver side is starting to do the same thing. Not only this but both headlamps go out of aim every so often. When the lights are on low beam I can't see ten feet in front of the car and I have to drive with the high beams on so I can see what is in front of me. This has caused four near misses. Two with deers, one with a mail box, and on with another car. I don't know if the moisture in the headlights has anything to do the brightness of the headlights themselves. When I had the headlights aimed for the third time I asked the dealer about the moisture problem and they said I would have to replace both the headlights.

When driving at night it is very difficult to see the road due to poor headlights. Consumer contacted the dealership. The condensation inside the head lights made it difficult for the head lamps to properly illuminate the roads surface.

I have noticed that on every 1999 Ford Contour the headlight covers turn yellow and start to crack. I have checked a lot of places and look at the lights and everyone I have seen are the same. I can't drive with my lights on low beam at all. I keep them on high beam so that I can see. Low beam looks as if they aren't on.

Both headlight lenses are dirty due to headlight assembly seal failure. Night time illumination unsafe. This complaint is consistent with other NHTSA consumer complaints, odi id 864545, 734106, 531407 and 532479. Dealer states the problem is not covered by extended warrenty purchased along with vehicle.

While traveling at 55 mph on the highway at night headlights without any prior warning went out. Consumer took vehicle to dealership, and dealership put a headlight switch into vehicle, but problem still occurs.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Contour 🔎.

Headlights were fogged up which affected visibility. Consumer tried to wipe off the lenses. But they were stained with some type of milky substance. Dealer stated that consumer had to replace headlights at her own expense.

The front head lamps to my Contour have clouded over (on the inside) and do not allow the lamps to put out much light. This is a pretty bad safety hazard in the evening. It has been getting worse over the past year or two - to where I need to replace them. The dealer noted that this was a common problem caused by a head lamp seal failure, but it was not a warranty or recall issue. Cost is $250 for parts plus labor. If this is a known safety issue for Ford service staff, why is it ignored by Ford? your database shows other complaints of this issue. Dt.

The plastic lens in the headlight assembly degraded to the point that light coming from the headlight was hardly distinguishable from the light coming from the amber parking lights. Vehicles behind my car, while driving would cast a shadow in front of my car. I replaced the light bulbs on the front of my car to no avail. The problem remained the same. I just recently purchased new headlight housings and installed them to replace this serious problem. Ford used a very inexpensive or untested plastic which failed/degraded quickly.

Battery not able to hold the current. Also, headlights and interior lights are not working.

Recall work not completed due to dealer scheduling problem. (99v-103) mjs.

Headlight's are not working, and the door light above floor lights on the driver's side and passenger's side don't work. Also, speedometer isn't working properly.

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

Headlight lenses are so cloudy that it is extremely difficult to see on low beams. Has been evident since I purchased the car in '1999.

Headlights cannot be adjusted to produce proper lighting at night, consumer not able to drive vehicle at night. To dealer 3 times, replaced headlights, did not remedy. Then dealer stated it was a defect because lights were not adjustable.

Right rear light continued to go out. Replace bulb few times. Right wheel bearing had to be replaced. Major fan belt replaced. Alternator replaced. Light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. This happened after they fixed my recall for lights. Gas cap cover is very hard to open. Takes several times to try and open. When air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. Owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. These are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. Also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. I have sent a letter to the president of Ford and explained how I felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. I never received a response from anyone. They should be made to take back all Contours and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. I am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. They need to provide a loan and new car for us. I will be contacting Ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. As I told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. I appreciate that you have this web site that I can voice my concerns,problems with the Ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. I will help you in any way I can to clear up all of these problems. I keep the letter I sent Ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know I did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie jennings hewitt.

While driving vehicle about 60 mph the headlights did not work while in use at night. The manufacturer told consumer this was not safety problem.

The headlight in the consumer's 1998 Ford Contour do not illuminate the road enough while driving at night. Visibility is especially bad while driving at night in the rain because the lights fog up. The consumer has almost had an accident because of the headlights.

Low beam headlight has poor and insufficient lighting, causing poor visibility.

The headlights do not come on. Also, interior lights on the dash sometimes do not function. Dealer has see vehicle. .

The headlights on the vehicle are sweating on the interior wall and are burning very dim. Consumer wonders will there be a recall for this problem.

Indadequate headlights.

When headlights are on the interior lights will not come on. Cause is unknown.