NHTSA Complaint #735730 — 1999 FORD CONTOUR

MY VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE VEHICLES STALLS AFTER SPLASHING THROUGH WATER. ONLY 1-2 INCHES ARE NECESSARY TO CAUSE A STALL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALL WHEN TURNING IN THE RAIN. THE ENGINE WILL SQUEAL, THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND STEER DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFED IN FORD'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # TSB 97-11-2. THIS DESIGN FLAW IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO AFFECT 1995-1998 CONTOURS. HOWEVER, IT MUST BE NOTED THAT MY CONTOUR IS AN EARLY 1999 (MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 1998). THE TSB DESCRIBES THAT THE VEHICLES NEEDS TO HAVE A SPLASH GUARD INSTALLED. REPEATED REQUESTS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAVE NOT LEAD TO ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THROUGH ANY AMOUNT OF ACCUMULATED WATER. ITS TENDENCY TO STALL FORCES ME TO DRIVE THROUGH PUDDLES VERY SLOWLY WHICH CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR VEHICLES AROUND ME. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS DESIGN DEFECT FREE OF CHARGE (LABOR AND PARTS). I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOUR AGENCY COULD PROVIDE.