Faults:

Check Engine Light is possessed. Intermittently shuts off and on. The car knows when its gonna get hooked up to diagnostics, so when the mechanic goes to plug in the computer, the check engine light shuts off just before he plugs in. I still have no diagnosis, and I'm embarrassed that this has happened 6 times!

I can't use the cup holders cause they split, and even if I could use them, I can't get them out of the center console cause they are jammed.

The timing belt cover design is flawed. I park far away to save myself the embarrassment of first turning on the car. The first 5 minutes of warmup it sounds like I'm popping a 55 gallon drum of popcorn. (the belt hitting the inside of cover)

The airbag light keeps blinking the code (passenger relay malfunction) can't be reset. This is OK I guess knowing my passenger one day will get rocked in the face by a random airbag deployment.

Stalls when I make turns less than 3-4 mph.

Hesitates and bucks, even after major problems with O2, MAF, ans tuneup was replaced or done.

General Comments:

This is the worst engineering I've ever seen or experienced on a car. Leave it to FORD to sneeze something out of their ass and call it a car. Just take a look at the engine compartment. There is so much extra junk I could probably get more than bookvalue for the car if I returned the extra plastic air housings for a 5 cent refund.

The only plus I have to say is that it has some pep (4cyl), and that I get 330miles to the tank full.

If your under the influence and decide to buy this vehicle remember this...

1) even though it is not Christmas time, get used to all the different color blinking lights. (warning lights)

2) No matter how hard you try, you cannot fix this car. Even if you think you found the problem a few times.

3) Passenger will dislike you after their airbag deploys for no reason.

Faults:

Mass Air Flow

Head Gasket

Starter

Battery

Exhaust

Broken cup holder

Broken vents.

General Comments:

This is the worst car to work on. Everything is difficult to get at. Parts are very expensive. Horrible gas mileage. Never will I go Ford again!

Faults:

EGR sensor needed replacement at 85,000 miles. My car was at the dealership for 3 weeks before they finally realized this was the problem. Although it was under the used car warranty, they tried to worm their way out of paying.

Timing belt needed replacement at 90,000 miles.

Replaced the driver's side window control panel in 2001. Now passenger side window control does not work, and passenger side window needs to be opened and closed by the driver.

Gas cap cover won't open without using the manual opener in the trunk.

Serpentine belt replaced then replaced again within 5,000 miles due to excessive wear caused by a bad tensioner. Replaced the tensioner and serpentine belt. $600 repair.

2 engine mounts became completely stripped around 110,000 miles. The mechanic fixed it, stating it was "nearly unfixable". (Whatever that means...) It was a $300 repair.

Currently leaking gas, but I have yet to find out from where.

Chrome stripping on bumpers peeling.

Paint is peeling on front driver's side fender.

All four door hinges squeak badly despite frequent lubrication and removal of rust.

Fan motor needed replacement at 90,000 miles.

Oxygen sensor needed replacement at 90,000.

Battery stopped taking a charge and needed replacement in 2004.

General Comments:

I purchased this car in 2001. For the first two years, it ran mostly well. For the past 3, however, it has been one problem after another. This car is so unreliable that I am thankful every time it starts. The engine is extremely rough, which the mechanic said was "typical" of that particular engine. Like many other former or current Contour owners, I have been turned off of Ford forever! I don't anticipate that my Contour will make it to 120,000, at the rate things are going. What a headache. I do not recommend the Ford Contour to anyone, unless you are a mechanic capable of keeping it in running condition reasonably inexpensively.