1996 Ford Contour GL 2.0L engine

Summary:

It is the best one out there

Faults:

I only had the regular recalls taken care of.

Recalls were: (Possible) Faulty headlights and faulty emergency brake.

General Comments:

It handles like a dream.

I have not had any problem with it to speak of. I'm 19 and I drive it hard, but the car still drives like new.

I would definitely recommend.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th May, 2002

1996 Ford Contour SE 2.5

Summary:

A true labor of shame

Faults:

Bolts on right rear tire came loose repeatedly, necessitating daily tightening.

Battery failed at 6000 miles.

Cup holder was broken on the show-room floor. Replacement is shoddy and virtually useless, until it too broke.

Plastic gear shift cover cracked and broke at 7000 miles.

Driver power window comes off-track. It has been 'fixed' between 5-7 times. I don't use the window anymore. Also some internal components are scoring the glass.

Oxygen sensor malfunction--this caused rather frightening stalls and loss of power at random times and at speed.

Wiring harness recall.

Battery failure at 6000 miles.

Mechanics at dealership stole fuses from the engine fuse-box.

Air-damn fell off car at 12,000 miles. It is now secured with a coat-hanger.

Alternator failed at 29,000 miles.

Engine thermostat recall.

Fuel door must be opened from manual over-ride in trunk. This was 'fixed' twice.

Left speaker shorts out.

CD player skips and sometimes won't load.

Radiator warning light is illuminated for no reason.

Drivers wiper has too much down pressure causing blades to disintegrate and the naked blades score the windshield.

General Comments:

On paper the car looks good, and when running the car is quite pleasant.

But not only has the car had numerous problems, but the general incompetence of the mechanical personnel at the dealership has defied all logic. The car has been to the dealership more than 12 times in less than a year. Each time it would remain, sometimes for over a week. More galling, the ever-loosening bolts (on the rear hub) took 5 visits before they figured out what the problem was.

Also, things were stolen from my car. And I can understand that--but theft of fuses is a bit too audacious.

My Ford has become a 'life experience' of existential and Kafkaesque dimensions. I am to this day amazed that I actually paid 'them' for this torture. (I had to rent cars so often that the people at the rental agency expressed concern for my plight. I also was on a first name basis with not one, but three consecutive managers at the dealership.)

As of this moment my Contour is sitting lifeless in the parking lot of Publix. At least I hope it is still there.

I curse the name of Ford and all that is associated with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th May, 2002

16th Oct 2002, 17:10

I'm sorry you've had such trouble. Wasn't any of it covered in the warranty? Most of the problems sound like they could be. On my contour the transmission went out. So, I told the dealer, they gave me a loner and had it fixed in a week. My deductible was only 50 bucks.

1996 Ford Contour GL 4 Cylinder

Summary:

A sedan to beat the hell out of.

Faults:

The engine runs way to hot!!!

Carpet is coming up.

Many little parts breaking.

More leg room in the back of my Toyota Celica.

It's a four door not a coupe.

What the hell?

General Comments:

Why the hell would Ford make a car that takes two hours to get to sixty miles an hour?

What do you really expect with a car made in Mexico?

It is a fairly good college car.

Gets me from A to B.

I would not buy this car again if I was paid to drive it.

At first I was always worried about the needle almost touching the red and over heating, but it never has.

It just runs way to hot!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th April, 2002

12th Aug 2002, 18:05

I have the same problem of over-heating. I would like to know if you ever found the cause was. Please let me know at my email: InspTIDEToWn@AOL.COM.