Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Contour / Ford Quality. Is there a reason to worry?

I bought 1998 my Contour LX used in July 2000. Since I bought the car, I've had numerous problem with it:
- belt pulley replaced
- rear shocks done
- master power window control changed
- recall - shieled for coil springs
- recall - heater blower (needs to be done again)
- ABS module replaced
- weather stripping around trunk replaced
- other "minor" problems
I like the car, handles well (a little noisy on the highway) but other than that not too bad. Reading many of the problems the rest of you are having as well as my own experiences, I'm wondering if I made a good choice. I'm thinking of dumping this car while I still have a warrenty on it. Am I wrong to be thinking this way? My car has 71,000 kms on it or about 43,000 miles

They are no worse or better than any other domestic mass produced car....

I agree. All domestic cars from what I've seen have there share of common problems.....

i've had a few issues with my 96 SE MTX but that didn't stop me from making another Contour purchase only a few months ago.....

Heck - my 96 SE MTX has 138,000 miles on the clock and (well not to jinx myself or anything), it's running better than ever!

Hmmmm Since I have been buying cars... Hmmm 30 years??? This is the FIRST car I have owned that needed ANY major repair. Maybe I am lucky?? but it still makes me wonder about the "Quality is Job One" bullsh!t... And I am convinced Jask the A$$ Na$$er destroyed Ford. If Ford can make a comeback from the stuff that has happened to it... ????
When they make a car I want again????

Quality was Job 4 when Trotman ran the show, too. Meeting production numbers, cutting costs, cuting labor, then quality - in that order.

You bet there would be heated discussions in the morning startup meetings if quality was low the day before, but not too bad if they made their schedule. Ten times worse if numbers weren't met, even if quality was high.

I can tell you that warranty returns was not the top measurable. An important one, but not Job 1 for sure.

Just my experience from a very small corner of Ford.

sounds pretty normal for ford.

I have a Saturn 2001 with 48,000 highway miles. Yes I do alot of driving. I have taken care of the car with oil changes, etc. Well a month ago driving down the highway at 65 the engine just quit. No noise no warning lights, nothing. Pulled over to the side of the road to try and start it - nothing. Had it towed to the dealer and found that the timing chaing broke, valves hit pistons, pistons hit block, etc. Car not in warranty 3/36,000 miles. Had to pay 5,500 dollars for a new factory engine. This is the first Saturn I have owned. Will I buy another, hell no. Argued with Saturn about their perceived quality, etc. etc. Comes down to alot of marketing hype. Oh I forgot to mention, one week before this happened by heater core split in two and dumped all my engine coolant into the car!

So quality problems are not just related to Ford I would say........

I do believe that when you pay $20,000 for a new car, that car should damn well last you at least 6 years with no problems - provided you take care of the car. Apparently the executives at some of these Auto Manufacturers disagree!


My next car after carefully researching through Consumer Reports will at this time probably be a 2002 Prizm. This is the last year they are making them........

My brother knows some of the engineers in Dearborn. I know why we are having so many problems. Too bad he wasn't on the Ford project before I bought 2 of the same car.
What, me worry? I read MAD!

It's all about next quarter profits and keeping stock market investors happy.
Bean counters vs. the engineers/etc.
All the rest is PR/lip service.
Paul

The best way to get bang-for-buck, stay informed and keeping up with the market.
Never know when the bean counters might let one fall thru the cracks.
How do we learn this? Unfortunately school of hard knocks, forums like this to share experiences and keeping an open mind.
Remember consumer R&D is still the best engineering the manufactures have.

Paul

I'd be happy everything replaced under warranty after that everything should be ok, may be?