Ford Contour 1997

• Recall 80459 [USA]: The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. if the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. this may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
  Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
  federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on may 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
  this recall only pertains to aftermarket ball joint assemblies and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by the vehicle manufacturers.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 59343 [USA]: Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
  Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain ford, daimlerchrysler, and jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.
  affinia (brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.
  this recall only pertains to aftermarket napa, raybestos, ac delco, aimco, carquest, and bendix brake hydraulic master cylinders and has no relation to any original equipment installed on daimlerchrysler or ford vehicles.Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.

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• Recall 5612 [USA]: This could create the potential for a fire.
  This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1995-1997 ford contour and mercury mystique vehicles. The heater blower resistor could overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt.
  ford will provide additional warranty coverage for the heater blower switch for 10 years from original date of sale of the vehicle or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness free of charge.
  ford has decided to conduct an extended coverage program to extend the warranty coverage for potential heather blower resistor problems. Owners can contact ford at1-866-436-7332, concerning this program.

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• Recall 6245 [USA]: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
  On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.
  dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began august 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
  ford recall no.01s22.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 7818 [USA]: If both pcrv's malfunction, vehicle handling could be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, increasing the risk of a crash.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (abs). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes may be subject to corrosion and result in malfunction, when operated in areas that use salt compounds on the roadway for de-icing or dust control.
  dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in september 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 ford contour, mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.
  owner notification began april 3, 2000 for the 1996-1998 model vehicles and on october 11, 2000, for the 1999-2000 model vehicles.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 8745 [USA]: The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
  dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
  owner notification began july 16, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 10896 [USA]: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.
  dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
  owner notification began november 20, 1998.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 15790 [USA]: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
  Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles modified to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (cng). The natural gas fuel tanks have a solenoid shut-off valve that stops fuel flow from the fuel tank in the event of certain moderate to severe collisions. If the vehicle is in a collision and the natural gas fuel line is damaged, the system could leak natural gas.
  ford has requested owners of these vehicles to have the cng fuel system disabled under a previous recall campaign and to only use gasoline fuel until a permanent corrective action is developed. Owners are being alerted to this solenoid valve concern at this time. The timing of corrective actions is being delayed to allow both conditions to be remedied at one time. In the meantime, there is not risk as long as the natural gas system has been disabled and the vheicle is only operated on gasoline.
  owner notification began february 9, 1998.Owners will be notified when service kits are available.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 2001195 [Canada]: Powertrain
  Certain passenger vehicles. The rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire. Correction: dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.

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• Recall 2001205 [Canada]: Other
  Certain passenger vehicles sold in new brunswick, newfoundland, nova scotia, ontario, prince edward island and quebec . The front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire in some cases. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring. Correction : dealers will install spring catcher brackets.

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• Recall 2000077 [Canada]: Brakes
  On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both pcrvs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash. Correction: dealers will install improved pcrvs in the rear brake system.

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• Recall 1999094 [Canada]: Lights and instruments
  On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits. Correction: dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.

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• Recall 1998208 [Canada]: Powertrain
  On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection. Correction: automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

• Incorrect gear indication investigation # RQ02006

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness investigation # EA01001

  There is no summary currently available
  

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• Various intermittent electrical issues investigation # RQ99019

  There is no summary currently available
  

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The wiring harness has deteriorated to where the engine runs lean and dies. The check engine light came on while driving. Once home i checked everything i could until the engine compartment cooled then noticed the wiring on the number 1 cylinder. The more i looked i could see all the injector plugs were deteriorated badly with number 4 being worse. Just touching the harness causes the insulation to flake off and bare wires to be exposed. I purchased a code reader to allow proper indications of what codes were indicated when the check engine light illuminated. Now ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what i already know and can plainly see! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact personally performed a diagnostic. The contact replaced the timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, fuel injector, and pulleys. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 2/21/13 *cn status update 03/19/13

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated the vehicle repeatedly decelerates and accelerates without warrant. When the air conditioner was being operated, the vehicle would begin to shake violently. It would also take an unusually long time for the air conditioner to engage and would blow only hot air. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.

Could not get an inspection sticker - no mechanic could find out why the check engine will not go off -very costly. It stalls when raining, the passenger door handle does not work, it has to warm up for 5 minutes before it will move, the tail lights came loose, causing melting of housing, every valve imaginable has been replaced, belt squeals when air or defrost turned on. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that there was a bad ground in the main line harness, which caused the electrical system in the vehicle to fail. The vehicle was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 116,000 and failure mileage was 115,000.

Bought a 1997 ford contour and 4 days later the head gasket blew. After being in shop over a month and many other problems repaired i finally got car back and the very next day the head gasket blew again within 2 miles from my house. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While the contact applied the brakes at 30 mph, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle drove uphill and into a parking lot and stopped by emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 141,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf the consumer stated the hydraulic vacuum line was leaking. Updated 02/01/08 *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While driving 25 mph on 3/19/07 the driver felt something heavy fall on his foot and he began to lose control of the steering wheel. The steering column fell on the brake pedal and he couldn't stop the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a parked truck. The passenger side air deployed; however, the driver side didn't deploy. Two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries to their knees and chests. The police officer stated that he never heard of a steering column breaking while driving. The contact stated in the state of wisconsin insurance was not required as she was uninsured. The service mechanic on 01/13/07 stated that the brake failure was due to the brake hose being loose. The failure mileage was with 158,000. The contact doesnt have the current mileage. *ak

I have 1997 ford contour se. I have had several problems with it, check engine light comes on constantly, radiator light comes on constantly, runs poorly. I had all checked when they happen on multilple occasions. After doing some research on the internet, i found that there may be a problem with the wiring harness in the engine compartment. I was told by a freind that he had heard of a problem like this and ford was fixing them, and i should call the dealer. I called the dealer and they confirmed there was a recall but based on my vin i was not included due to the age of my car. This was done at brandon ford around the july/august time frame. Thinking that i had to do the repair myself, due to the cost at the dealership (over $3000.00), i started looking for parts myself on the internet. There i found the recall/ext. Warranty info. 99m03 and in this it states 10 years or 100,000 mile. I again got hope that maybe they had missread the recall at the dealer ship. I then returned with vin and the info 99m03 in had and one of their service advisers confirmed that it should be covered. I then made an appointment for the next day to drop the car off at 8:30am to have it done. I call that same day at 2:30pm to check to see if and for how long i wounld need a rental car. I was told at that time that my car was not covered due to it's age and that it ran out on 10/26/06. Had the first person looked the info. Up properly back in the july/august time frame it would have been fixed. I was also told by the service manager that the repair would take them approx. 3 days to do, and for only gives them 6-7 hrs to do it, so they lose money to do these repairs. Based on the 99m03 info i should have recieved a letter stating the ext. Warranty which i did not, but had recieved other recall info. *nm

Common OBD-II Error Codes

• P0420 [2] Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
• P0430 [2] Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
• P0442 [1] Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)
• P0455 [1] Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)
• P0456 [1] Evaporative Emissions System Small Leak Detected
• P0457 [1] Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected
• P1442 [1] A/C Evaporator Air Temperature Circuit Range/Performance
• P0731 [1] Gear I Incorrect ratio
• P0732 [1] Gear 2 Incorrect ratio
• P0734 [1] Gear 4 Incorrect ratio
• P0401 [1] Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected
• P1407 [1] EGR Metering Orifice Restricted
• P0171 [4] System too Lean (Bank 1)
• P0174 [1] System too Lean (Bank 2)
• P0172 [1] System too Rich (Bank 1)
• P0741 [4] Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off
• P1401 [1] Glow Plug Monitor Fault (Bank #2)