1995 Ford Contour: engine overheating

Filed Dec 11, 2009 · Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

My '95 ford contour has been overheating, smelling hot, with the steering column heating up to the point of the car key, in the ignition, getting too hotto handle--for some time, now. Fearing that there might be a fire hazard, I took it to my local ford dealer. He said my car, per it's VIN no., has not been recalled; so he did nothing about my concerns. Now, a week ago today (12/3/09), and a week or so after bringing my car in for the first time, I was driving 20-30 MPH, down a city street in my small town, when, suddenly, I heard a popping sound; and the electricity in the car turned off. The car stopped dead in it's tracks, as I was turning into a parking lot! I tried to put the hazard light on; but it would not turn on. The steering wheel & steering column were very hot. I turned the key, in the ignition, in an attempt to turn the car back on. Instead, it made another popping sound; and died completely! Smoke started coming from under the hood. When I opened the hood, the battery water was boiling over, sizzling, and smoking. When I called my ins. Roadside assist, and told them what happened, they told me to call the fire dept. So, I called the fire dept. They came and disconnected the battery; and noted that the battery was smoking. They pushed my car to a parking spot, from where I had it towed it to my local ford dealer. The ford dealer man said they could do nothing about it; and I left it there, in their parking lot. I'm afraid to drive the car, for fear it might start on fire, since I have seen, on the internet, that the '95 ford contour has been recalled for ignition fires!!! Being caught in a burning fire, with my seat belt on, is very scary to me! The questions, at the bottom, right, of my screen, are cut off, so I can only see half of the questions, starting with: "was there...." "property da...." "was there a..." "reported to...." I'm sorry,I have no way of answering your questions, here.

Filed Oct 12, 2009 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

I took my 1995 ford contour in to my local perry lincoln ford dealer, on hitchcock st., in santa barbara, ca--today (10/12/09. I stated to the repairman that I noticed, on the internet, that the '95 ford contours had been recalled for ignition fires. I told him that my ignition switch heats up, every time I drive it, even a short distance of 3 miles to work, every day. I told him that the ignition switch gets so hot, that my key is too hot to handle!! The entire driver's wheel component, that includes the ignition switch, gets hot. The repairman, at ford, took my VIN no.; and researched my car, on his ford computer; and my VIN no. Did not show a recall. I told him, I thought the recall was for all 1995 ford contours, not just some. Do I have to wait for a fire to start, in the ignition switch, before anything is done about it? I am a working registered nurse; and would rather prevent a fire than wait for one to burn my face and body; and destroy my entire car. The ford repairman did nothing about my concerns. He just said there has been no recall on my particular car!!! What can I do to protect myself from injury and harm, especially since my ignition switch, car key--and entire driver's wheel device overheats? All your 4 questions, below and to the right of this box are cut off except for the "approx. Incident date!!"! Your questionnaire also does not allow me to choose "ignition switch" for the defective part!!

Filed Jun 23, 2009 · Engine · 58,109 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. The contact's vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v367000(engine and engine cooling) in 2004. Five years later, the fan motors have overheated and caused the electrical components to melt. The dealer and manufacturer stated that they would not assume responsibility for any repairs because the vehicle was previously repaired according to the recall. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,109. Updated 07/28/09 *bf updated 07/30/09.

Filed Sep 8, 2008 · Transmission · 36,500 miles · TX

My automatic transmission shift position indicator mounted on my floor console has disintegrated over time, and no longer exists. This failure has been recognized previously, and is due to defective, poor quality, plastic material that the shift indicator is made of. The consequence of this failure is that one cannot determine which gear the transmission is operating in, and can cause overheating of the transmission and/or engine, and possibly cause an auto accident, or fire. This has been a recognized defect failure and was reported as a safety recall as early as 1998. However upon contact with the ford dealership and also the ford motor company representatives, they deny that my 1995 contour is included in the safety recall. There are numerous 1995 contour vehicle owner complaints filed with the ford motor company on this denial of safety recall application by other 1995 ford contour owners who have experienced that same lack of support through the ford motor co representatives. This material defect is a generic problem that affects all 1995 contours, however the ford representatives deny that my VIN is included in the safety recall.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Electrical · CA · fire

My 1995 ford contour was repaired under the recall when the engine cooling fan and wiring harness burned up. However they replaced only that part of the wiring harness that is directly connected with engine cooling fans, the rest of the underhood wiring is failing due to overheating causing the insulation to break down. I had to replace the connector to the engine temperature sensor because it has turned into a soft gelatin like substance causing shorts. I believe the entire underhood wiring harness should have been replaced when the fans caught on fire. Currently there is a shorter maybe an open circuit in the engine wiring causing the check engine light to come on and stay on at times but it sets no trouble codes.

Filed Aug 13, 2004 · Engine · 12,000 miles · CA · fire

While driving 40 MPH cooling motor overheated. As a result the engine compartment caught on fire. No injuries reported.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · MD

This problem is not fixed. The transmission goes out of gear at about 60 miles an hour (od transmission) and the vehicle "bangs and spudders". Additional, the temperture gauge has always run hot and yet the vehicle seems to be find- makes it difficult to know if the vehicle is overheating. The transmission problem is going to become more costly. Concerning the transmission- I do live in maryland and am required to have a vehicle emissions inspection that has the vehicle put on a device that takes the vehicle to high speeds!

Filed Oct 2, 2003 · Engine · 58,000 miles · KY

Water pump failures very common around 60k miles, plastic impeller failure, and engine overheats.

Filed Aug 27, 2003 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MS

Cooling fan inoperative due to excessive heat from a bearing seize. Fan was replaced at owners expense twice and is still inoperative, causing the engine to overheat and the air conditioning to fail.

Filed Jul 18, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · 88,000 miles · TX

Engine cooling fan caught fire in 1999 - car under warranty and repaired by dealership. 2 more engine cooling problems in 1999 the most serious problem was when the water pump failed. The engine had to be replaced. In 2002 the engine began overheating and we had to replace the thermostat, other problems encountered were replacement of oxygen sensor and fuel pump due to leakage. In june 2003 car overheating, the cooling fan connection had become disconnected. In july 2003 car overheating, checked by mechanic who noted that there water pump was leaking, recommended dealership repair due to cost. On day one dealership estimated cost of water pump replacement $380.00. Day two dealership calls - head gasket blown and fan belt worn bill now $1100.00. Day three dealership calls - one of the oxygen sensors and another part needs replacing an additional $300-400.00. Total bill $1600.00.

Filed Jan 9, 2003 · Engine · TN

Car overheated. Plastic part on water pump broke and melted. Mechanics said they never heard of a plastic impeller for the water pump.

Filed Jul 23, 2002 · Engine · CA

While driving there is smoke , and vehicle cuts off, which is caused by vehicle overheating, and head gasket failing. Contacted dealership.