143 of the 1,189 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour are about the transmission — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
143
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 322 ON DAY AND HAD TO HIT THE BREAK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY BREAK FLUID RESIVOUR AND IT WAS EMPTY. I THINK THE PASSENGER SIDE DRUM BREAK IS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #11153195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V233000 (POWER TRAIN). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10679091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS ON I65 WAS DRIVING FINE HIRD A LOUD EXPLOSION ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP A PIECE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASING WENT INTO MY TIRE CAUSING A BLOW OUT, CAR BECAME OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT GAURDRAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10411708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V233000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 06/10/11 *BF UPDATED 2/08/2012 *LN *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT ECM/PCM ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER AND REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $750 WITH A PART USED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10403780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V233000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 06/10/11 *BF UPDATED 2/08/2012 *LN *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT ECM/PCM ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER AND REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $750 WITH A PART USED PART.
NHTSA complaint #10403780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER BEFORE IT DAMAGED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOESN'T INCLUDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST AND HE IS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,800.
NHTSA complaint #10286053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD CONTOUR TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND SURGES UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION. DOES NOT SEEM TO STAY IN GEAR BASED UPON THE BUCKING MOTION. FORD TECHNICIAN INSPECTED IT AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVE WEAK MOUNTS THAT AFFECT PROPER OPERATION. HE SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT OF THE MOUNTS, ALTHOUGH UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE MOUNTS LOOKED NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10245264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A USED 1998 FORD CONTOUR, UPON INSPECTION, WE FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. SO WE DECIDED TO DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE A RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEM. SAYING THAT THE SHIFT MAY NOT PUT INTO THE CORRECT GEAR WHICH CAN OR WILL CAUSE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IN WHICH ARE HAVING.
NHTSA complaint #10241637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
TL*T HE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL WAS DAMAGED AFTER IT WAS SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR DETERIORATED , AND DID NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN 2ND GEAR THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN RECALL# 98V233000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *AK LEFT MESSAGE 10/16/07 *LJ.
NHTSA complaint #10189298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V233000, REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10155985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY DAUGHTER DROVE MY 1998 6 CYL CONTOUR AUTOMATIC ON ROUTE 95 FROM STONEHAM TO WAKEFIELD, MA (ONE HIGHWAY EXIT). THE CAR WAS BEHAVING NORMALLY AND HAD BEHAVED NORMALLY UNTIL THAT POINT. A SERVO COVER FELL OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION. THAT ALLOWED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO POUR OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION IN SECONDS. THE SERVO COVER, A THREE INCH DIAMETER PIECE OF HEAVY METAL SHAPED LIKE A FRISBEE, NEARLY HIT A MOTOR CYCLIST. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP NEAR 128 FORD OF WAKEFIELD, MA. THEIR SERVICE WRITER, LUDLOW, TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FORD CONTOUR. THAT OPINION WAS REINFORCED BY TWO EMPLOYEES OF FNA TRANSMISSION REPAIR OF WAKEFIELD. I CALLED FORD. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS EVER HAPPENING TO A CONTOUR. I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TO FILE A REPORT, AND I TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD AS WELL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT EXISTS AND IS A SERIOUS HAZARD TO MOTORCYCLISTS (I AM ONE.) I AM WORRIED THAT THE RAPID LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID USUALLY LEADS TO SERIOUS TRANSMISSION DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10155723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 10-50 MPH. THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE GEAR SHIFTER IS MOVED TO A LOWER GEAR THEN BACK TO DRIVE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10150343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT (3->2) HARD RECENTLY, AND I BROUGHT IT TO AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO PERFORMED SEVERAL TESTS AND GAVE IT A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. ~5,000 MI LATER WHILE GENTLY SLOWING TO TURN LEFT FROM A MAJOR STREET, IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD RUN OVER SOME WALNUT SHELLS. AS I BEGAN TO EASE OPEN THE THROTTLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN, THE ENGINE BOGGED AND THE CAR LURCHED, MAKING SOME CRUNCHING SOUNDS. I COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER OR BY PUSHING BY HAND. LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS HAVE SAID THE CD4E TRANSMISSION IS NOTORIOUS FOR EARLY FAILURE, AND THAT I WAS LUCKY TO GET 102,000 MILES FROM IT BECAUSE MANY FAIL BY 40,000 MILES. THEY HAVE QUOTED ME REPAIR PRICES RANGING FROM $1500 TO $3500. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THIS FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR ON A CURVY ROAD, AS AN AXLE LOCKUP LIKE THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10143733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HARD SHIFT FROM 1-2.
NHTSA complaint #10143079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUNK LEAKING. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE TRUNK LEAKS SLOWLY. I FIND HUGE WET SPOTS IN THE CARPET IN MY TRUNK. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION GETS CAUGHT AND HESITATES TO SHIFT.
NHTSA complaint #10114390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED THE CAR ON OCTOBER 1, 2004. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE FREEWAY I SLOWED DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC. WHEN I STARTED TO TAKE OFF I FELT A JERK WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT, IT DOES NOT JERK WHEN IT SHIFTS, UNLESS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES, THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10098165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
1998 FORD CONTOUR 4 DOOR SEDAN BOUGHT 10/15/99; SINCE THEN MANY INCIDENTS OF CAR CUTTING OFF SUDDENLY - SOMETIMES ONLY ONCE IN MONTHS, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY; MANY CLOSE CALLS; NEARLY REAR-ENDED, ETC. FRIGHTENING TO BE POWERLESS IN TRAFFIC. MANY REPAIRS TRIED, COMPUTER ANALYSIS, ELECTRICAL CHECK UPS ONLY HELP IS TO REPLACE IDLE AIR CONTROL - COMPUTER CHIP WITH WHICH CAN GO NEARLY A YEAR WITHOUT RANDOM SHUT OFF. MANY CONTOUR OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH IS POTENTIALLY FATAL. HAVE HAD 4 SHUT DOWNS IN TRAFFIC IN LAST 2 WEEKS AND HAVE ANOTHER IAC - BUT FORD NEEDS TO FIND PERMANENT SOLUTION TO DEADLY ERROR.
NHTSA complaint #10078641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY 1998 CONTOUR IS AT 128,225 MILES. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT OF AIM AND MOISTURE COLLECTS IN THE HEADLAMP AND WHEN THE MOISTURE DRIES IT LEAVES A FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE LENS. THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS TERRIBLE. I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT EVEN WHEN IT IS A CLEAR NIGHT. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. I ALMOST HIT A MAN ON A BICYCLE THE OTHER NIGHT. HE HAD REFLECTORS ON HIS BIKE BUT I DIDN'T SEE HIM TILL I WAS RIGHT UP BEHIND HIM. I HAVEN'T HAD THIS FIXED BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY TWO FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A NEW PAIR OF HEADLAMPS. I HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY LOOKING IN SALVAGE YARDS. -ANOTHER THING IS THE TRANSMISSION. IT SHIFTS OUT HARD BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. NOW IT JERKS WHEN I GO UP HILLS OR WHEN I LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. I FIGURE IF I TAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY WILL TELL ME THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. -THE NEXT THING IS THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE SEAT TRACK ITSELF HAS RUST ON SOME OF THE PARTS. THE DRIVER SEAT IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE RUST PROBLEM. WHEN YOU SIT IN THE SEAT IT ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE (FROM DOOR TO CENTER CONSOLE). THIS SCARES ME BECAUSE I READ SOMEONE ELSE'S COMPLAINT AND HE SAID HE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE SEAT AND THE TRACK ITSELF BROKE ON HIM.
NHTSA complaint #10069777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING.
NHTSA complaint #10064527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS LEAVING WORK AND DISCOVERED THAT MY CAR NOW ONLY GOES IN REVERSE-I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION UP TO THIS POINT WHEN FROM OUT OF NO WHERE IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TELLS ME I HAVE TO GO TO A DEALER TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN ALL COSTING MORE THAN THE CAR IS PROBABLY WORTH. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART-THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT THAT ARE NOT "RARE" OR "UNUSUAL" FOR THIS TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10062744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10062771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING ON MAJOR INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC...I HAVE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND MANY OTHER SITES ABOUT THESE CARS AND I FEEL THAT A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD GO INTO EFFECT BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY...
NHTSA complaint #10043167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
POWER TRAIN
MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR SE 2.0 (AUTOMATIC TANSMISSION) HAS 80,000+ MILES. IT HAD SUDDEN POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION. IT SHIFTED IRRADICALLY NEARLY CAUSING ME TO TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE BEEN FORCED TAKE MY VEHICLE TO COTTMANS TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVING WORKED ON FOUR CASES, WITH THE FORD CONTOUR, SIMILAR TO MINE IN THE LAST MONTH. REPAIRS, INVOLVING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSIN, HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED BETWEEN $1700-$2300. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW OFF THE LOT IN 1998. CAUSES FOR THIS MALFUNCTION HAVE BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME IN LAYMEN TERMS AS "TRANSMISSION COMPUTER" FAILURE THAT THEN CAUSES A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH IN THE POWERTRAIN. IM NOT SURE THAT THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE ADVISE
NHTSA complaint #10036808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2001 (SEE ODI # 759046 SUBMITTED 3/02). TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AND REMAINED IN SERVICE UNTIL 2003. IN JUNE 2003, TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS AND WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE. TRANSMISSION WAS DEEMED "UNREBUILDABLE" AND REPLACED WITH NEW FORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10033426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.