1998 Ford Contour Recall

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.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

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.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

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.

A failure of this component (brakes) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the air bag sensor wiring pigtail insulation may become brittle and crack over time due to water accumulation in the protective convolute combined with high under hood temperatures and routing of the pigtail near the radiator. This could result in the air bag warning light illuminating and disabling of the air bag. Correction: Air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation will be installed. Also, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed if required.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

On certain vehicles, the accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire which in turn could cause the accelerator not to return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. This could result in a vehicle crash. Correction: Accelerator cable will be replaced with a revised version which has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded-on end fitting.

A failure of this component (engine) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

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.

A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 205 - glazing materials. The windshields on were produced without the "AS1" mark as required by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z26.1. These windshields fully meet all of the requirements of Standard 205. Correction: Since the absence of the AS1 mark is highly unlikely to produce any risk of injury, no corrective action will be taken.

A failure of this component (visual system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

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.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE HEADLIGHT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. CORRECTION: REVISED OWNER GUIDES WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS.

A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).