1998 FORD CONTOUR Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE DID NOT KNOW THE BOLTS WERE MISSING AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD HAVE THEM ORDERED. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

ORIGINAL START DATE 1-12-07. TIMING BELT SHREDDED. HAD SHOP FIX THE PROBLEM. 4-2-07 BELT BROKE AGAIN REPLACED AGAIN. 10-18-07 TIMING BELT BROKE AGAIN. SHOP DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE AGAIN SAID IT IS DEALER PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS SHOP PROBLEM. SHOP SAYS IT WILL FIX ON 11-2-07. SHOP FINALLY FIXES ON 11-4-05. CAR NOT RUNNING RIGHT TAKE BACK TO DEALER ON 11-5-07. DEALER SAYS WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY. 11-8-07 PICK UP FROM DEALER AND THEY STATE WE SHOULD HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS. IF SO BRING BACK UNDER WARRANTY. 3-13-08 DEALER NOW STATES BELT BROKE AND NOT COVERED AND OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. ALMOST 1600 TO FIX. STILL CAN'T GIVE ME SPECIFIC REASON TO WHY BELT KEEPS SHREDDING. NOW WHAT IS ONE TO DO? I HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO THIS AND CAN'T GET A REAL ANSWER. ALSO IN THE PAST SHOP PRINTED OUT OTHER REPORTS FROM NHTSA SIGHT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME CAR IN DIFFERENT STATES. BUT YET DEALER SAYS DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS KIND OF CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO TOUCH, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE 1995-1997 MODELS FOR THE EXACT SAME DEFECT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A BEEPING NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,782.

Mileage: 94,600

TIMING BELT FAILURE. SINCE 2004 I HAVE HAD 5 NEW BELTS PUT ON. 2007 HAD 2 NEW BELTS IN 7,000 GOING ON 3RD NOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. IN 2001, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME AND STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE COILS SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CABLE IN ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR UPDATED 06/04/08. *LJ

Mileage: 73,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,237.

Mileage: 75,237

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY COLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING A NEW PROCESSOR. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON.

Mileage: 50,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED A SENSOR. *AK

Mileage: 113,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING STARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BATTERY, ON-BOARD COMPUTER, AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO INSTALLED. AFTER THE WORK WAS PERFORMED, THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN # 98V233000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: LEVER AND LINKAGE: FLOOR SHIFT RELATED TO THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/03/06. *JB

Mileage: 32,000

DRIVING ON INTERSATE 66 FROM MANASSAS VA INTO WASHINGTON DC AT 65MPH WHEN NOTICED COLD AIR BLOWING OUT OF HEATER VENTS. CAR IS SEVERELY OVERHEATED BEFORE SAFE EXIT FROM HIGHWAY. WATER PUMP'S PLASTIC IMPELLER HAD SHATTERED WITH 53K MILES ON THE CAR. FORD REPLACED WATER PUMP FOR $527. AFTER OVERHEATING THE CAR ALSO BEGINS TO LEAK OIL FROM SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THE OIL PAN GASKET IS REPLACED FOR $407 AT 63K MILES. THE REPLACEMENT WATER PUMP'S GASKET IS DISCOVERED TO BE LEAKING AT 66K MILES WHILE TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL OIL LEAKS - THIS TIME THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT.

Mileage: 53,133

DEALER TOLD ME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD A SHORT. O2 SENSOR & COMPUTER IN CAR. THE CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED 3 TIMES ($1200.00 CHARGED BY TO ME BY DEALER EACH TIME) AND THE COMPUTER RESET. *AK MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL FIXED AND THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AGAIN (4 TIME!!)... THE TURN SIGNALS WORK AND THAN DO NOT .. I HAVE BEEN TOLD A SHORT IS IN THE CAR BUT FORD WILL NOT FIND FOR FREE.. I AM TIRED OF FIXING THIS CAR PLEASE PLEASE HELP

Mileage: 32,000

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

Mileage: 85,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED 9/04 AND I TOOK MY 98 FORD CONTOUR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 3/05 (BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT COULD WAIT AWHILE) AND THEY DIAGNOSED A DIFFERENT CODE AND REPLACED THE MANIFOLD. AFTER PAYING $600.00 TO FORD, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER 45 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE AND THEY DIAGNOSED A CATALYTIC CODE. I HAD TOLD FORD THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO RE-DIAGNOSED WITH THEM OUT OF POCKET. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RUBBER ODOR HE SMELLED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE BELTS IN THE ENGINE. *NM *JB

SMOKE THEN FLAMES CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF PARKING IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INDICATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 72,000

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE 5 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FILTER AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE FUEL PRESSURE DROPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON MOUNTAINOUS AREAS, A SHORT WAS FOUND, AND WIRES WERE FOUND CHAFFED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 93,000

WE HAVE A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. IT FIRST CAME ON IN OCT 01 WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE IN DELHI. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A CAM SENSOR/ SOLENOID SPROCKETS ETC. SINCE THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY WE DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO CANADIAN TIRE TO SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A CAM SENSOR. WE HAD THEM PUT THAT IN. $58. MILEAGE 111346. IT WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. WE COMPLAINED TO FORD AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE AWA.. AFTER WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT. THIS HAD NOT BEEN MENTIONED EARLIER. SO WE A NEW SOLENOID SPROCKET ETC. PUT IN BY FORD,, (JAN /02) . HOW IT CAME TO THAT MILEAGE WHEN CTC HAD IT BACK IN NOV/ 01 AND THEN IT WAS* 11134*???? THEY ALSO HAD IT IN DEC AND THE MILEAGE WAS 112279.) THAT BAFFLES ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS TO SURFACE AGAIN. MY DAUGHTER HAD THE CAR AT SCHOOL SO SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE IT TO OUR GARAGE IN MAY/28/02 AT THAT TIME THE GARAGE CHECKED #3 CYLINDER CAUSE OF OUR CHECK ENGINE CONCERNS.. COST 39.10. NOTHING WAS DONE AT THAT TIME. THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON. FINALLY WE TOOK IT IN AGAIN ON OCT 24TH AND ANOTHER CAM SENSOR WAS PUT ON. $144.46. MILEAGE 130776. ON NOV,.5TH /02 TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD REQUIRE AN EXHAUST CAMSHAFT AND SOLENOID GASKETS AND SEALS. WE AGAIN ASKED ABOUT THE AWA AND THEY SAID NO IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED. THEY SAID THAT THE LAST SOLENOID WAS ONLY COVERED FOR 20,000 KM. HAD THEY DETECTED THE PROBLEM BACK IN MAY WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN AND HAD THEY WRITTEN DOWN THE CORRECT MILEAGE THEN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE WE DID NOT REALLY FEEL THAT THE SOLENOID ( AND REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO PAY $1000 FOR FIXING IT AND THEN FINDING OUT THAT THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER PROBLEM) WAS THE PROBLEM, SINCE WE HAD ALREADY HAD THAT REPLACED ONCE WE CONSIDERED TAKING IT TO A GUY THAT USED TO WORK AT FORD. (HIS WIFE DRIVES A CONTOUR) HE CHECKED THE CAR FOR SURGES. SCAN TESTED IT TRIED VARIOUS COMPUTER PARTS RECHECKED VALVE. ETC,, BUT IT ALL PROVED NEGATIVE.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIRTEEN RECALLS SINCE OWNERSHIP BY THE CONSUMER. *AK *LA *JB

Mileage: 71,000

THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, SPRINGS, BRAKES LAST 4 MONTHS,WATER PUMPS WENT AT 63,000, TIRES WEAR OUT IN LESS THAN A YEAR, TEMPERATURE GAUGES DO NOT READ RIGHT. ENGINE RACES, SOLENOID WENT....VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT NO HELP? *LA

Mileage: 63,000

TEMPERATURE RISING WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. GOT OFF NEAREST EXIT .2MILES. STOPPED CAR. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED TEMERATURE INDICATOR WAS IN THE RED ZONE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. THE FAN HOUSING SYSTEM HAD MELTED.*AK

Mileage: 8,600

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALTERNATOR, FUEL TANK, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR, COMPUTER SENSOR'S (VARIABLE CAM TIMING OVER RETARDED), AUTOMATIC SHIFT LABORED AND FAILS, COOLING FAN MOTOR, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS IN SOME FORM OF REPAIR SHOP ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVE I DRIVEN A FORD LATELY? YES, AND SORRY I CHOSE TO DO SO. *AK

Mileage: 18,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT OCCURRED A LOT AT IDLE OR WHILE COASTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING CORNERS. DEALER CONFUSED. *PH *JB

Mileage: 70,000

SUFFERED A WATER PUMP FAILURE. THE PLASTIC/BAKELITE IMPELLER SHATTERED CATASTROPHICALLY, RESULTING IN PARTS STREWN THROUGHOUT COOLANT SYSTEM. TOTAL REPAIR COST: $470. SINCE PART WAS REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE, FORD WILL NOT REPORT THE FAULTY PART. PERHAPS PROPYLENE GLYCOL, THE PRINCIPLE CHEMICAL FOUND IN COOLANT, CAUSES THE PLASTIC PART TO BECOME BRITTLE AND SHATTER, BUT NO ONE AT FORD WILL LISTEN TO THAT. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOUND ON WEB REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. TIME FOR A RECALL - THE TORONTO FIELD OFFICE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 69,820

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ENGINE WOULD RACE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

CAR SPUTTERING AND STALLING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. HAVE HAD IT "RESET" TO TURN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT OFF ONLY FOR IT TO COME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER. *AK

SHREDS TIMING CHAIN BELTS EVERY 40-100 MILES, 8 REPLACEMENTS IN 3 MONTHS. PULLEYS, TENSIONER AND BELT ALL REPLACED REPEATEDLY BY FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY IT'S NORMAL. *NLM

Mileage: 85,298

TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK 4 TIMES SINCE THEN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING BELT. *NLM

THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*JB

CONSUMER STATES TIMING BELT FAILURE IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO HESITATES OR MAY NOT START INTERMITTENLY DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

FORD OPERATION #991308A FORD IS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE CYCLE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING (VCT) SOLENOID WHICH ACCORDING TO A PRINT OUT IS STILL COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY COVERAGE OF 80,000MILES AND 8 YEARS. HOWEVER, WHEN CALLING THE DEALER ONTHE PROBLEM - THEY PLAY STUPID AND QUOTE A PRICING IN THE THOUSANDS. WHAT GIVES??? MY INFORMATION COMES DIRECTLY FROM FORD TO THE MITCHELL INFORMATION COMPANY., LLC. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECH WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR - HE SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HE IS SEEING TOO FREQUENTLY ON THE CONTOUR, ESPECIALLY THE 98. IS THIS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY FORD DISCONTINUED TO PRODUCE THIS CAR? SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL, SINCE THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL IN THE DRIVE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING? DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER NOTIFIED, OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY A DIFFERENT TECHNICIAN WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. MR *NLM

Mileage: 46,000

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP 4 TIMES ON MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR. DEC. 28, 2001 - 1ST INCIDENT: WATER PUMP FAILURE, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE SENSOR AND THERMOSTAT BECAUSE THE RADIATOR HAD ZERO WATER IN IT. MARCH 26, 2002 - 2ND INCIDENT: WATER PUMP FAILURE. MAY 24, 2002 - 3RD INCIDENT: WATER PUMP FAILURE. OCTOBER 24, 2002 - 4TH INCIDENT: WATER PUMP FAILURE, ALSO HAD TO HAVE A BELT ON THE PUMP REPLACED. I CALLED NORMA AT THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER (1-800-392-3673) AND SHE TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT FORD CAN DO SINCE THE PARTS WARRANTY (12 MONTH/12,000 MILES) IS OVER THE MILEAGE. I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A WATER PUMP AND IF THERE ARE FUTURE FAILURES UNDER THE WARRANTY ONCE I'VE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS IT WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. I INFORMED NORMA THAT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY HAVE OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER PUMP FAILURE/DEFECT AND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS GRACIOUSLY PAID FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR ALL 4 REPLACEMENTS AND HAS GIVEN ME A DISCOUNT ON LABOR FOR THIS 4TH REPLACEMENT. ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY STAYS ON EVEN AFTER BEING "SERVICED" BY THE DEALERSHIP. DT

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLS, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY TECHNICIAN WHO NOTICE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE VEHICLE IS ON THE SECOND TIMING BELT. NLM

THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DEALERS BUT NEITHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *NLM *SCC

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED A FIRE ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE IN COOLING FAN. CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK *NLM

TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VHEICLE WAS TOWED TO GARAGE AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT FLYWHEEL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO CHARAPP FORD NUMERIOUS TIMES FOR SAME COMPLAINT. FIRST TIME VCT SOLENOID WAS REPLACED, SECOND TIME VCT REPLACED AGAIN. THIS PAST WEEK WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING WITH TECHICIAN HE CONFIRMED THE STALLING PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IT WAS A CARBON BUILD UP AND TO TRY DRIVING WITH GAS TREATMENT IN CAR. STALLED TWICE LEAVING CHARAPP. CONTINUED STALLING 6 TIMES THAT DAY. DROVE FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED MILES AND NO CHANGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE ADDRESSED. PEOPLES LIVES ARE AT STAKE! MY CAR STALLED WHILE TURNING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD.*AK

PLASTIC IMPELLER BLADES ON WATER PUMP HAVE REPORTEDLY FAILED ON NUMEROUS CONTOURS, RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING. COOLANT FROM RESERVOIR SPRAYED INSIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON LIFTING HOOD, BOILING COOLANT WAS VISIBLE IN RESERVOIR. THIS PRESENTS AN INJURY HAZARD FROM THE HOT COOLANT, AS WELL AS FROM POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE DURING VEHICLE USE.*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON TWO OCCASIONS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK AND AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM, THE COOLING FAN MAKES LOUD NOISES. *SLC

THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ONE DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED 12 TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED SINCE PURCHASED. NLM THE VEHICLE STALLED THE SECOND DAY THE CONSUMER EVER DROVE IT. THE BLOWER ON THE A/C AND HEATER FAILED. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. IT TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ALARM SYSTEM. *NM

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAME LOOSE AND FELL INTO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME OF THE SEAT WAS CRTACKED. *AK THE RECALL (99B23) ON THE WATER PUMP EXPIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS BOOKED UP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER STATED ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. MINUTES LATER, LIGHT WENT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER ADDS WITH FULL TANK OF GAS, FUEL LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. *TT

OUR 98 CONTOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR STALLS AT ABOUT 40 MPH OR LESS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE SAID IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR . ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO RUN ALRIGHT FOR AWHILE THEN ENGINE COMES BACK ON AND THE STALLING OF THE ENGINES STARTS UP AGAIN. SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR IT IS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR HER VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING SHE TOOK HERS IN THEY TOLD HER THE SAME THING THAT IT IS THE OXGEN SENSOR. ALSO HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE CONTOUR THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN IT STALLS YOU LOSE ALL POWER CAN BE DANGEROUS IF TURNING A CORNER OR CURVE IN ROAD. MY CAR FINALLY STALLED AGAIN AND NOW IT WILL NOT START STALLED AT ABOUT 40MPH WAS ONEXITING HIGHWAY HAD NO BREAK POWER OR POWER STEERING.THIS COULD END UP BEING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY SEEM TO BE UNRESPONSIVE.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED CONSUMER NOTICED TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISING. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, HOURS LATER VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. CONSUMER TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND NOTICE D TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS RAISING. CONSUMER RETURNED HOME, AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ENGINE FAN WAS ON FIRE. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BLOCK EATER FELL OUT AND BURNED CYLINDERS. HOWEVER, ENGINE LOCKED UP AND LOST ALL POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING NOTICE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISING. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE ONE HOUR LATER VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN TO RISE AGAIN. CONSUMER RETURNED HOME AND LOOK UNDER HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE FAN WAS ON FIRE. DEALER REPLACE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

RECALL 99V243000/AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY:DEALER:M&M FORD, MUSCATINE, IA; PHONE 563-263-5324 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD TOO MUCH MILEAGE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A RECALL ON WARNING LIGHT BUT THE DEALER DID NOT FIX THE RECALL DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. *YH

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY SHUTTING DOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING ON FREEWAY. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSED TO 3 EXACT INCIDENTS AND CUTTING OFF AT ANY TIME. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE TEMPERTURE GAUGE INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS OVER HEATING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE, AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICE THAT THE ENGINE FAN WAS ON FIRE. NLM

MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN 8/26 DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR CORRECTLY AND THEN MY ENGINE BLEW UP BEFORE I LEFT TOWN. THEY REPALCED ENGINE AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS AGAIN. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH ALL THESE ISSUES AND THE SERVICE I HAVE REC. MIRACLE FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ME FOR ITEMS THEY PROMISED, NOR HAVE THEY SENT ME INFORMATION I REQUESTED SINCE SEPTEMBER. HOW CAN A CAR KEEP HAVING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. I HAVE RECORDS OF TAKING MY CAR IN FROM THE BEGINNING WITH THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM FACING AGAIN TODAY.

MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN 8/26 DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPAIR CORRECTLY AND THEN MY ENGINE BLEW UP BEFORE I LEFT TOWN. THEY REPALCED ENGINE AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS AGAIN. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH ALL THESE ISSUES AND THE SERVICE I HAVE REC. MIRACLE FORD HAS NOT REIMBURSED ME FOR ITEMS THEY PROMISED, NOR HAVE THEY SENT ME INFORMATION I REQUESTED SINCE SEPTEMBER. HOW CAN A CAR KEEP HAVING MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. I HAVE RECORDS OF TAKING MY CAR IN FROM THE BEGINNING WITH THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM FACING AGAIN TODAY.

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WATER PUMP SHUT DOWN, AND TRANSMISSION VIBRATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

MANY OTHER FORD CONTOUR OWNERS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. ON WWW.CONTOUR.ORG MESSAGE BOARDS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED. *AK

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY STALLS CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK.*AK

BOLT ON EXHAUST HIGH TEMPERATURE GASKET JOINER BROKE OFF. *TT

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JULY, 2001 THIS CAR HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN IN FOR DEALER SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THAT PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR SWITCH (WHICH WAS REPLACED TWICE, I WAS TOLD), THEN STATED THAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS THE CAM SHAFT ITSELF. THAT WAS REPLACED THE FOURTH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND A MANUFACTURER'S REP CONSULTED ON THE FOURTH REPAIR, WHICH TOOK 6 WEEKS TO COMPLETE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AND OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS/UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. IT HAS HAPPENED OFTEN WHEN TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION, BUT ALSO WHEN TRAVELING AT 60+ MPH ON BUSY FREEWAYS. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM LIKELY TO RESULT IN INJURY IF NOT FIXED. I DON'T BELIEVE THE DEALER CAN FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FOUR TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. DEALER HAS ONLY CHARGED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND HAS PAID FOR RENTAL CAR DURING TWO TIMES WHEN THEY HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. REGARDLESS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FEEL FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST ADDRESS. AFTER CHECKING YOUR DATABASE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, I FOUND MANY ENTRIES THAT DESCRIBED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE CONTOUR IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BY FORD, WHICH TO ME INDICATES THAT THEY KNOW THIS VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS ENGINEERING FLAWS. *AK

AFTER GETTER THE RECALL PART REPLACED FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, NOTICED THAT WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED THE CAR WOULD LEAK FUEL FROM AROUND THE FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER IN TRUNK AREA DURING RAIN, FAILED SEAL, REPLACE REAR BACK GLASS SEAL AND RESEAL BACK GLASS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, WEAK, REPLACE CANNISTER PURGE AND VAPOR CANISTER.

1998 FORD CONTOUR SE, 2.5L V6 - WATER PUMP IMPELLER SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT FLOW. ENGINE OVERHEATED. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS A LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY FROM THE LOCATION WHERE THE PART FAILED, SO ENGINE DID NOT RUN IN OVERHEATING CONDITION FOR VERY LONG. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BY THIS LOCAL DEALER ($371 TOTAL). THE CAR IS STILL MY DAILY DRIVER, AND NOW APPEARS TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY WITH THE NEW WATER PUMP.

VEHICLE STALLED AT ANY SPEED/ ANY TIME. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE WATER PUMP FAILED.*YD

CONSUMER STATES THE WATER PUMP FAILED.*YD

WATER PUMP IMPELLER FAILURE. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 01V230000. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT PERFORMED NO REPAIRS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DESCRIPTION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION. *AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY O2 SENSOR. *JB

SOON AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE IT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. ALSO,VEHICLE WAS SHAKING WHENEVER GOING ABOVE 50 MPH. *AK

VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 7 TIMES, MOSTLY AT SLOW SPEED, TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON. CONSUMER WILL GO TO START VEHICLE, AND IT WILL NOT START. WHEN GOING IN LOW SPEED OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE STALLS. SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO PULL OFF VEHICLE STALLS. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS FIXED SO CONSUMER WOULD SEE THE WARNING SIGN. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT CURRENTLY AN ONGOING ISSUE. ENGINE NEEDS A VCT SOLENOID REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.*AK

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY UNDER WET CONDITIONS VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND ADJUSTED BELTS. PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH BELTS, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 5MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LOOSE LUGS: NUTS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING: FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, CV BOOT, BRAKES, AIR FILTER, WIRE, ROTORS NEED TURNING, TIMING GEAR, TIMING BELT, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 5MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF DUE TO LOOSE LUGS: NUTS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING: FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, CV BOOT, BRAKES, AIR FILTER, WIRE, ROTORS NEED TURNING, TIMING GEAR, TIMING BELT, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *SLC

WITHIN 55,000 MILES ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE, AND ENGINE TO RISE WHEN ACCELERATING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER SPED UP TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS RACING UP TO 2000 RPM/, STALLING, AND MAKING A RUMBLING SOUND. DEALER STATED OXYGEN SENSOR HAD GONE BAD. IT CONTROLS AMOUNT OF AIR AND GAS MIXTURE. *AK

THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOSES ALL FUNCTION. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

COOLING GUAGE SHOWS ENGINE RUNNING AT HIGH END-ALMOST TO RED. *AK

THE WATER PUMP AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH FORD THE INCONVIENCE AND THE FREEDOM OF PURCHASING A NEW CAR HAS LEFT ME FRUSTRATED AND AFRAID TO TRUST THE CAR. *AK

ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET BOLT BROKE. CAUSING THE ENGINE TO MOVE. *AK

CONSUMER HAS HAD A RECALL ON ENGINE OVERHEATING, AND DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. DEALER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL.*AK THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, THEN NEW MOTOR DUE TO OVERHEATING, 2 MONTHS LAER THERE WAS AN INTERNAL REPAIR COMPLETE, VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN AND ENGINE WAS REPLACED AGAIN, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING TOTAL REFUND AND TO TURN IN VEHICLE, ALL PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD. *SLC

FIRST DAY CAR WAS BOUGHT ENGINE DIED, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER CONTOUR. CURRENTLY, VEHCILE WILL SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE WAS ACTING UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IT JERKS AND VIBRATES, CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LIKE THEY SAID. 1 TIME FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FRONT SWAY BAR REPLACED, STEERING WOULD SHIMMY AND RATTLE. BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, DUE TO RATTLING NOISE IN AIR CONDITIONER, ALSO CYCLING SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT ACT. REAR STRUTS REPLACED, NOISY. *SLC

SINCE JUNE OF 2000 VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS INTERNAL THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. IN FEBRUARY, WHOLE ENGINE WENT OUT.*AK

ENGINE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH HAS CAUSED WIRE HARNESS TO BURN. FORD HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE. HOWEVER,VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED MILEAGE.*AK

WATER PUMP STOPPED WORKING WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STOP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.*AK

AFTER NOTICING A WHINING SOUND AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN SECOND GEAR AND AN INCREASE IN VIBRATION WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT ON 10/10/98, ON 8/3/2000 THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF SUDDEN AND VIOLENT SLIPPING, ON 8/28/00 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OXYGEN SENSOR HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, SENSOR RECONNECTED/REPLACED. CJ

WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH THE ENGINE WATER PUMP GOES OUT. ONLY THING HEARD OR SEEN WAS A ENGINE KNOCK. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE FOR 6-8 MONTHS. SEVERAL DEALERS COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT. CONSUMERS COMPLAINED THAT FUMES WERE MAKING HER SICK. CONSUMER HAS STOPPED DRIVING VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY UPON ACCELERATION, BRAKING, CHANGING GEARS, WHILE ANY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECTIFIED, FLYWHEEL FAILED CAUSING SCRATCHING NOISE. NLM

WHEN IT RAINS ALOT SERPENTINE BELT SKIPS AND I LOSE STEERING POWER. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I NEARLY STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANAGER PLAYED DUMB SAYING THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF A DEALER NOTICE. I CHECKED YOUR WEB PAGE AND THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN. I AM AFRAID IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AT SPEED OR ON A CURVE THAT I OR MY CHILDREN COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH.*AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE CONSTANTLY RUNS ON HIGH, CONSUMER NEVER KNOWS IF VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING OR NOT. *SLC

WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD IT REPLACED. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY HAD THE REAR MAIN SEAL REPLACED. JUST THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT REPAIR THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND FOUND THAT IT WAS AT THE PROPER LEVEL.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NOW I HAVE APPEALED TO FORD MOTER CO. TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THEIR COST. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN UNDER WARRANTY BUT ONLY MANIFESTED ITSELF 3 WEEKS AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD.

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT THE 1ST TIME DEALER KEPT IT FOR 2 WEEKS & CLAIMED IT WAS FIXED. VEHICLE WENT TO THE DEALER AGAIN THIS TIME FOR 47 DAYS WHICH A LOANER VEHICLE WAS GIVEN & IT WAS RETURNED WITH NO EXPLANATION WHAT WAS WRONG. IT'S STILL RUNNING HOT. *AK

THOUGH THIS CAR IS ONLY SLIGHTLY OVER 3 YEARS OLD, I HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS ON IT, HAD TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ($400), CONSOLE CLOCK LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT, HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD DUE TO EXTENSIVE CRACK CAUSED BY SMALL STONE CHIP,ETC. CURRENT CAM TIMING JOB ESTIMATED AT $1,000. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH A VEHICLE IN MY LIFE. ASKED FORD'S TO COVER 1/2 OF COST; WAS REFERRED TO DEALER, WHO "DECLINED." IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO ABOUT THIS LEMON??

THOUGH THIS CAR IS ONLY SLIGHTLY OVER 3 YEARS OLD, I HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS ON IT, HAD TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ($400), CONSOLE CLOCK LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT, HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD DUE TO EXTENSIVE CRACK CAUSED BY SMALL STONE CHIP,ETC. CURRENT CAM TIMING JOB ESTIMATED AT $1,000. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH A VEHICLE IN MY LIFE. ASKED FORD'S TO COVER 1/2 OF COST; WAS REFERRED TO DEALER, WHO "DECLINED." IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO ABOUT THIS LEMON??

I WAS IN TRANSIT TO REPLACE MY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR NOW STALLS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THESE ISSUES, AMONGST A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR FAILURES HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS LEMON ( COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, ETC.). NEITHER THE FORD MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIPS HAVE RESPONDED, AGREED OR OFFERED ANY INVESTIGATION, CORRECTION, COMPENSATION OR ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THESE PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN AND VERBAL MATTERS, AND LEGAL ACTION WILL COMMENCE. THE ISSUES LISTED IN THIS TABLE ARE ONLY THE RECENT (LAST 3 MONTHS), AND DO NOT INCLUDE THE MONTAGE OF PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, SOME OF WHICH ARE MENTIONED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS DONE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HAD TO RESCHEDULE. THE LAST TWO RECALLS I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE DONE WHEN SCHEDULE. THE AIR BAG AND THE BRAKES WERE THE LAST TWO. I SCHEDULED THEM FINALLY IN APRIL THIS YEAR. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I EXPRESSED AGAIN HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO COME IN BECAUSE I WORK 5-6 DAYS A WEEK. AGAIN I RESCHEDULED FOR JULY. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT VERIFIED THE PARTS WERE THERE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. AGAIN LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. IT SEEMS TO BE THESE RECALLS ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. I ALSO ASKED WHY MY BRAKES SCRUBBED WHEN I STOPPED, THEY COMMENT WAS WE COULDN'T GET IT TOO. MY POINT IS IT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FORD PLACE CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME OR MY CAR.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY 4 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON THE 1998 CONTOUR. *AK

VALVE STICKS SHUT, CAUSING FUEL TO BACKUP AND SPILL WHEN FILLING TANK. WAS REPLACED, NOW REPLACEMENT PART ALSO STICKING.*AK

TIMING BELT SLIPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FIVE TIMES ALREADY. WHEN TIMING BELTS SLIPPED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. *AK

ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE IS VERY STRONG INSIDE CAR AT TIMES; DEALER CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND SAID THERE WERE NONE.........NO SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS IN VERY HIGH NORMAL RANGE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; CAR COMES VERY CLOSE TO OVERHEATING. HAVE I MISSED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM? *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS IN VERY HIGH NORMAL RANGE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; CAR COMES VERY CLOSE TO OVERHEATING. HAVE I MISSED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM? *AK

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. NLM

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL ON WATER PUMP. A WEEK LATER, CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE ON THE WATER PUMP. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM CHICAGO ON I55, THE WATER PUMP (WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED) WENT OUT. WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE ONLY INDICATION THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG WAS A WHINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHICH STOPPED AFTER A SHORT INTERVAL. WITHIN AN HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS DESTROYED. A NEW ENGINE, WATER PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THAT IS STILL BEING DONE, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK WITHOUT CHARGE, AND HAVE GIVEN ME A RENTAL CAR TO USE IN THE MEANTIME, HOWEVER, WITH A NEW ENGINE, THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME A 9,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CAR REPAIRED. SINCE THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT, A FAIRLY NEW CAR, AND A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON THE FORD MANUFACTURER THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT A FULL WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS IS JUSTIFIED. ADDITIONALY, AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, I HAD FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MY CARE. THE THOUGHT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIX LAND TRAFFIC PATTERN IN CHICAGO WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS ACCIDENT WITH ALL OF US POSSIBLY BEING KILLED. I THINK THAT THE FORD MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. GINGER GRANGER

WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM CHICAGO ON I55, THE WATER PUMP (WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL OF WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED) WENT OUT. WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT APPEAR ANYWHERE ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE ONLY INDICATION THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG WAS A WHINING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHICH STOPPED AFTER A SHORT INTERVAL. WITHIN AN HOUR, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS DESTROYED. A NEW ENGINE, WATER PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL OF THAT IS STILL BEING DONE, TWO WEEKS LATER. THEY HAVE DONE THE WORK WITHOUT CHARGE, AND HAVE GIVEN ME A RENTAL CAR TO USE IN THE MEANTIME, HOWEVER, WITH A NEW ENGINE, THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME A 9,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CAR REPAIRED. SINCE THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT, A FAIRLY NEW CAR, AND A LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON THE FORD MANUFACTURER THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT A FULL WARRANTY ON THE REPAIRS IS JUSTIFIED. ADDITIONALY, AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, I HAD FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MY CARE. THE THOUGHT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIX LAND TRAFFIC PATTERN IN CHICAGO WITHOUT WARNING, WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTROUS ACCIDENT WITH ALL OF US POSSIBLY BEING KILLED. I THINK THAT THE FORD MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. GINGER GRANGER

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE STALLED OUT. NOTICED A REFLECTION OF FLAMES ON THE GROUND. LIFTED HOOD OF VEHICLE & NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER PUT FLAMES OUT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS JUST REPLACED, TWICE, PRIOR TO FIRE. WAS NO WARNING. *AK

AFTER ANY OIL CHANGE, WITH A LITTLE OIL PRESENT ON UNDER-HOOD COMPONENTS, THERE IS A STRONG BURNT-OIL SMELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED. I BELIEVE I HAVE FOUND A ROUTE WHEREBY UNDERHOOD AIR CAN BE PASSED INTO THE PASSENG

CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED DUE TO BACK ORDER OF WATER PUMPS, HOWEVER VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS

WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON HITTING WATER IN THE ROAD SURFACE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND FREEZE, CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL. ALSO, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN LEAK CAUSED DRIVE BELT TO FALL OFF. MJS

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN LEAK CAUSED DRIVE BELT TO FALL OFF. MJS

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN LEAK CAUSED DRIVE BELT TO FALL OFF. MJS

TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE RED AREA. WHEN CAR OVERHEATS IT LOSES POWER. SINCE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE CAR SHE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND RECALL NOTICES. *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE RED AREA. WHEN CAR OVERHEATS IT LOSES POWER. SINCE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE CAR SHE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND RECALL NOTICES. *AK

ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE THE CAR HAVE A WHISTLING SOUND. THEN BELT POPPED AND SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON.*AK

ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE A WHISTLUNG SOUND. THEN, BELT POPPED AND SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON. *AK

ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE A WHISTLING SOUND. THEN BELT POPPED/SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON. *AK

OIL PAN GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. MJS

ENIGINE MOUNTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FALL ON THE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING DIFFICULTIES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. OWNER REPLACED THE MOUNT RESTING ON THE STEERING SHAFT AT THEIR EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR AT THEIR COST. *AK *YC

COOLING FAN RELAY.

WHEN IT RAINS HARD/FLOODS AND IN PUDDLES, CAR SHUTS OFF.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 6+ TIMES OVER THE DURATION OF OWNERSHIP , CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN , STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND ALL POWER FAILS. HAPPENS AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS . TOLD THAT FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT NO PROTOCOL TO FIX THE PROBLEM . DEALER CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW CAUSE OF PROBLEM AS TOLD BY FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY AND A CRASH. ALSO AN HUMMING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, AFFECTING THE WAY VEHICLE DRIVES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WATER PUMP LEAKING. *YC

SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF. *YC

CAM TIMING UNIT FAILED. *YC

CAR STALLS WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHT

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE DIED OUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, THERE IS SOME NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER AND OVER AND THE TRANMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BUT DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED. YH

TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED. YH

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH EXHAUST PIPES. CONSUMER SMELL FUMES COMING THROUGH THE HEATER VENTS. THE MANUFACTUERE HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.

WATER PUMP FAILED.

CAMSHAFT SPROKET FAILED.

TIMING BELT FAILED.

VALVE ROCKER ARM COVE FAILED.

CAR POWER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR CUTS OFF THEN THE ENGINE STALLS OUT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 7 TIMES AND CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLS, AND WITHIN 6 SECONDS OF ITS STALLING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JUST SHUTS DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHENEVER DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS THE ENGINE WOULD LOCK UP. VEHICLE WOULD BUCK BEFORE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. TOLD NO PROBLEM EXISTS. NOW NEEDS PARTS FOR REPAIR. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT GIVING ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY ARE HARD AND FOOT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES, AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACED THE AIR BAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIERE WASN'T ANY AIR IN THE AIR BAG. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. ENGINE IS VERY LOUD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH IT STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD CHECKED UNDERHOOD, THE TIMING BELT BROKE. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP & HEAD GASKET FAILED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH IT STALLED OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD CHECKED UNDERHOOD, THE TIMING BELT BROKE. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP & HEAD GASKET FAILED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER.*AK

ENGINE STALLING CONTINUALLY, HISSING AND STEAMING WHEN TURNED OFF.

TWO DAYS AFTER PURCHASE RADIATOR CRACKED ON THE SEAMS RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.