Subject: 98' Ford Contour

Date:    9/17/2002

Sir,

I'd be glad to tell you my story. If it does nothing else but relive
some frustration, then so be it.

Here's the line-up-

Purchased a used 98' Ford Contour V-6 off  the Ford dealership lot
in March of 2001.

     * May 2001-AC Condensor goes out

     * June 2001-Transmission freezes on mountain road 50 miles from nowhere!

     * July 2001-Shift bearing decides it will not budge

     * October 2001-Right Axle breaks while making a right hand turn,going
       10-15 mph,Thank God my daughters weren't driving because it veered
       out of control!

     * February 2002-Loud clunking coming from back-Drums need to be
       resurfaced. At 30,000mi.??

     * May 2002-Right front tire, all tread gone(these were all new just
       3 months previous) due to dealership NOT giving the front end a
       realignment after the axle broke, oh please that's a no brainer even
       for a girl!

     * July 2002- Gee, back brakes need to be resurfaced again because
       dealer didn't replace shoes. I have been informed these secondary
       shoes(back drums) from the factory come at 3 mm.I knowing the back
       brakes don't do most of the stopping, and most should last to 60,000.I
       think there should be an industry standard.

     * Sept 2002-Now the ABS are engaging every time I apply the brakes,from
       what I understand it is due from a computer failure.Now the dash
       (speedometer, odometer, gas gauge,) is working sporadically and is
       telling the ABS to engage. Well from what I gather. all this is due
       to poor engineering.Designing the electrical harness to wrap too
       near the engine block thus melting and causing the computer to miss

From March to May 2002 all was under warranty.
Tommorrow,Sept.18, appointment in the morn, and I'm wondering what
the heck will I do with this car.

Thanks for the website,

Gayle