1996 Ford Contour SE review from North America

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.

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.