Possible engine failure resulted in vehicle fire. (ohio traffic crash report)
1996 Ford Contour engine complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 124, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Pistons and rings were both shot in the motor, but the motor had oil and full compression.
Consumer took car in for 4th recall repairs. This one was for the engine wires. Dealer fixed problem. Consumer picked up car, and on that same evening engine check light came on. Took in vehicle for service, and speedometer stopped working. Couldn't tell how fast car was going. Also overdrive light started to blink on/off.
Consumer bought vehicle in september. She went outside that morning to start it up her vehicle and she noticed a knocking noise comming from underneath the hood. The dealer replaced starter and water pump but problem still exist.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Occasionally, when the vehicle rolls through a puddle, the steering will fail and the battery light will appear, with the engine almost stalling. This has happened with the car going as fast as 35 MPH and as slow as 5 MPH. The problem has been reported to the dealer on several occasions, and the dealer has reportedly contacted the manufacturer regarding this particular problem. Additionally, the first time the vehicle was taken back to the dealer to report the problem, the service personnel was aware that the problem existed with the specific model. After repeated returns to the dealer (at least three separate complaints), the dealer informed us that the problem was fixed and that the car was even "driven through several puddles" without any steering failure. The last time the vehicle was taken in was approximately august, 1999. The warranty has since expired, and the dealer says that it is our responsibility to pay to have the problem fixed. Unfortunately, we have taken the car back several times, and the problem still exists. On 02/13/00, the vehicle again experienced steering failure.
Water pump impeller broke into two pieces imeediately paralizing the entire engine cooling system. This defect, to the best of my knowledge is common for ford contours equipped with 2.5l v6 duratec engines. Although not directly related to passenger safety in the traditional sense, this defect is potentially very dangerous. I think ford should recall the part given the number of failures.
This is a leased car. I take good care of it, bringing it to a mechanic every three months for a "check up" there were no warning signs. The car simply stopped. I had it towed to a shop and now it is costing me $ 3000.00 to fix the transmission. I called ford and besides being nasty and rude, was told that there was nothing they could "do". No warning lights, nothing. Just a dead car. My mechanic is having a very difficult time finding parts to replace the transmission. I am very angry!
While driving at highway speeds the frost plug released, causing anti- freeze to spill and vehicle to stall out and die. There was not indication that the engine was overheating. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
While traveling vehicle stalled without any indications. As a result, wheels locked up. Please provide further information.
Theromstat is causing the car to overheat.
Engine head gaskets has blown out. Dealer has been notified.
Engine check light is on and there is a burning smell within the vehicle. Also, all the lights on the dashboard aren't working, and the water pump had to be replaced.
Vehicle stalls and dies ant various speeds without warning. Also, engine check light stays on. Vehicle is able to be started immediately after it dies. Dealer has inspected vehicle , and was not able to duplicate problem. Manufacturer has been notified.
Flexible vent hose is deteriorated and cracked. It leaks gasoline when the tank is filled and when the car is driven.it appears to me , that the wrong type of hose is being used in this assembly. If this is happening so prematurely, it must be happening to alot of other contour owners.
I have previously had problems with this vehicle and have taken it more than eight different times to be service and problem still has not been resolved.
The PCM module is a critical emission control device. According to the warranty book provided with the vehicle, it is covered if it is replaced. However, a failure (loss of programming) is not considered a part failure. It would appear that a loss of programming is a failure (memory?). The ford mfg. Consumer line was contacted on 8/23/99. The ford mfg. Explained that only when a part is replaced is this covered; since only re-programming is required, ford is not obligated to repair this PCM module. This seems to be in conflict with federal emission warranty.
Vehicle continually shuts down during operation, unable to determine failure. Mjs
While driving the car began to malfunction and then cut off , when vehicle cut off, driver lost control because the wheels locked up.
Engine failed, causing smoke.
Engine overheated with no warning left us stranded in memphis, tn in ice storm, ruined engine. Had to replace engine, dealership could not tell us why this happened. The engine contained water and oil at the time.
I have had multiple problems w/ my 96 ford contour since I bought it 2/23/96. I have had it in for service multiple times, and I get told it's covered under warranty why worry about it. The srv.mngr.at my dealer supposedly talked to a "tony" at ford & told him to tell me as long as it's covered under warranty I shouldn't complain it is no money out of my pocket. That is unsatisfactory -I believe my car to be a defect in that years line of contours & I would like something done about these problems. My car runs worse than any used car I have ever owned! All I ever wanted done was to rectify the situation,they could have easily replaced my car with one similiar to that year & model & I would have been happy. I really would like a response to this matter. I am to the point where I will contact a lawyer to seek help dealing with ford & kennedy ford , if I can not get a fair & aggreeable outcome to this situation. Thank you.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
The motor froze after overheating. The reason for the failure was the heater hose rubbed against an electrical connector at the location near the firewall. There is no sleeve on this hose to protect it as other hoses are protected. Over time it had worn a hole in the hose and the marjorty of the coolent leaked out and the speed that I was traveling I could not tell the car was overheating because of the relative speed that I was traveling. I never saw the vehicle overheat and it blew the motor while I was going down the highway. My car is out of warranty, but I wanted to let other know there is a potential hazard with the motor freezing up and ofcourse it is too late. My motor started to cough, that was the only indication that there was a problem.
Smoke is coming out of the vehicle, and oil is leaking. Also, knocking sound is being heard. Oil is in the coolant, and coming out from the tail pipe. The engine needs to be replaced. Vehicle is being towed to a dealer.
Headlight switch and mount failed/burned up/lights won't turn off/on, needed replacing, dashboard components always run hot; fuel door lever inside car doesn't work reliably & door sticks; egr hose failed, took ford 1.5 weeks to get one in, no guidelines re: this hose ever needing replaced, & it costs $93??!?!
Consumer was driving approximately 55mph, noticed smells of burning rubber, and experienced power failure at the same time, city garage #10 said the wiring harness for the alternator was bad, causing a short repaired the wiring and replaced the alternator with a rebuilt one, a serpentine belt was also replaced.
Paper gasket is causing oil leaks which could cause the engine to blow. Manufacturer has redesigned the paper gasket to a metal gasket.
No summary provided by consumer
Consumer smelled burning oil while driving, pulled over and noticed oil dripping from the engine onto the catalytic converter system which is causing the system to smoke.
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