Recalled: 2000 2001 Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in November and December 2000 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Contour Years: 1995-1996 Mercury Mystique Years: 1995-1996

Number Involved: 262,559

Dates of Manufacture: April 1994 to January 1996

Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket. This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began December 11, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V387002/Ford Recall No. 00S49]