1998 Ford Contour engine problems

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL I AND OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE CONTACTED FORD REGARDING THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND IT'S DEFECTIVE PARTS INCLUDING THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS YET THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE NOR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM STATING IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL T*JBREATING EACH PERSON WHO HAS CONTACTED THEM AS IF THEY ARE AN ISLAND AND THIS IS A ISOLATED EVENT MY WATER PUMP,FLASHERS,BRAKE LIGHTS,HAVE BEEN ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ALSO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON MAKING ME UNABLE TO REGISTER MY CAR AND GET UPDATED TAGS PLEASE CONTACT T ME REGARDING THIS MATTER AS I AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED HELP WITH THIS .[XXX] VIA EMAIL ALSO [XXX]. VIN INVALID INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA complaint #10808252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA complaint #10598058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND THE ENGINE HARNESS WIRE OVERHEATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL I HAD TO CHANGE MY RADIATOR DUE TO A LEAK AND THE HARNESS WIRE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED. THAT WAS WHEN WE FOUND THE WIRE MELTED AND CRACKED AND COULD NOT BE REUSED. THIS HARNESS CONNECTS TO VEHICLE MAIN SUPPLY. WITHOUT HARNESS VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HARNESS.

NHTSA complaint #10535001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10263740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10221153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10215768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10206567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10203548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10183929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10172247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10154698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10120611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

NHTSA complaint #10117478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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.

NHTSA complaint #10112470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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

NHTSA complaint #10109474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10087641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10071340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10065523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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?

NHTSA complaint #10043239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10043985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10037260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10037076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10030828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10031419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10028630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10024672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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

NHTSA complaint #10021050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.