NHTSA Complaint #736977 — 1997 FORD CONTOUR

COMPRESSOR "FROZE-UP" WHICH LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WOULD NOT RUN. THE DEALER THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO, SAID THAT THEY HAD HAD OTHER CONTOURS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS STOPPED, AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE AND NOT ON THE ROAD. I HAD JUST TRAVELLED 130 MILES, WHEN THE CAR CRATERED. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT IF FORD KNEW THE DESIGN WOULD RENDER THE ENGINE USELESS, IT WOULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. THERE'S NO WAY TO BY-PASS THE COMPRESSOR AS IT IS ON A PULLEY SYSTEM WITH ONE SERPENTINE BELT FOR EVERYTHING. MY BILL FOR REPAIRS IS IN EXCESS OF $800.00, OF WHICH THE COMPRESSOR IS OVER $500.00. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TO SEE HOW MANY CONTOUR OWNERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. IT'S NO WONDER THAT ANOTHER EMPLOYEE OF ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WARNED ME TO GET RID OF THAT "THING" AS SOON AS YOU CAN. DOES NOT SPEAK WELL FOR FORD. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *AK