Faults:

Fan resistor pack for heater/AC failed 2 times causing the blower to only work on high. (of course, it always happened in the winter.) Hasn't failed after the second time as the resistor pack was redesigned.

Dash started to warp. Was fixed at no charge by Ford dealer in 2001 and have had no issues since.

Rear brakes / rotors replaced in 2/05. (50k) Front brakes / rotors replaced in 7/05. (57k)

Intake air control valve replaced 2/05. This will cause a hoot sound. Seems like all Contours / Mystiques do this. It was hooting since 2002 and only in the winter months.

Defective door switch on the drivers side at 30k causing interior lights to stay on. 1/00.

Replaced battery at 50k. Battery still good, but was old and I requested replacement after 6 years. 2/05.

Catalytic converter replaced due to defective converter broken in pieces internally. Repaired under warranty. 7/05.

Low freon on A/C system. No leaks, but had to add freon to the system. 7/05.

Replaced original tires at 40k. 1/04.

General Comments:

Nice, comfortable ride and handles well even today at the current mileage this is written. If you are sitting in back the ride won't be so comfortable.

Manual transmission kind of stiff.

Minor annoyances like the hooting, fan resistor, defective switch, warping dash and weak radio performance makes we wish I would have purchased a Camry or other vehicle where quality control is better.

Faults:

Nothing ever went wrong with my Ford Contour.

All I had done to it is new pulleys and timing belt at 100,000 miles.

General Comments:

The Contour handles amazingly, I take corners at fast speeds no problem. This baby drives on the snow like dry pavement I did 70 m.p.h. in a snow covered highway in the snow storm no problems, I look at 4wd and laugh. You can drift around corners and bring it back easily. No one can catch the Ford Contour I think its the best 4dr sedan ever and don't get me started on the SVT.

Faults:

Dashboard warped and is rolling up towards the steering wheel.

Air conditioning and heating unit would only run on high starting at 28,000 miles.

Two camshafts cracked within 2 months due to lack of lube, even though oil had been changed.

Engine was faulty and had to be replaced at 48,000 miles. Thank goodness for the warranty!

Battery died around 72,000 miles.

Several hoses in the car have been found to get strange holes in them. Mechanics cannot figure out exactly why these holes are appearing.

Transmission is leaking badly.

The brakes continuously squeal and hiss, even though all pads and rotors are new.

The factory CD player gets so hot it melts CD's and additionally only plays about half of the time.

Check engine light goes on and off often, though no mechanic can figure out why.

General Comments:

Overall this car has had a lot of mechanical problems.

Aside from the mechanical problems, it gets great gas mileage.

It has comfortable seats that do not show any wear and tear after 6 years.

It takes direct hits on the bumper well, but hit something sideways on the bumper and the car will have thousands of dollars of damage.

When all parts are functioning, it drives well and is a quick car.