Question regarding how a similar make, model and year vehicle with the identical problem is not included in a recall.*mr the consumer was referring to recall #98v233000.
1996 Ford Contour transmission complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Automatic shift lever may not indicate correct gear (p, d, r) lever hangs up when switching between p, d, r. Problem has been occurring for appx three years.
The vehicle's automatic transmission failed (1996 ford contour). *ph
This car has less than 70000 miles on it. We had trouble with the fuel door, front wheel bearings, brakes, door handles, transmission, electric windows, and now as a special treat the engine failed. This car has been the worst investment that my wife and I have ever made. I have have owned several cars and trucks with 200000 plus miles on them and none of them have ever been as problematic as this automobile.
Problems with 1996 ford contour front brakes, transmission, fuse box, heater blower motor, electrical and steering and suspension. *mr for the second time, the vehicle had problems with the brakes making a loud rubbing sound, the stabilizer bar was replaced and needs to be replaced again. The transmission was leaking, water was inside of the headlight seals, which made the lights very dim, the selector mode switch on the heater motor blower did not work properly, which made the heat not work at a 100%. The upper ball joints, rack and pinion and wheel bearing were all defective. *jb
Transmission has failed repeatedly even after complete rebuild. Have also had tread separation in tires on 5 separate occasions
The front part of the vehicle makes a dragging sound while driving. The dealer indicated there was an internal transmission problem. *yh the serpentine belt was replaced. Updated
Torque converter failed in january, 2001, causing damage to the automatic transmission which required replacement at a cost of $2,600. Five months later, the torque converter again required replacement. Replaced with ford parts. Now in april, 2002, the transmission again caused problems with stalling in traffic, overdirve light flashing, very rough shifting. Diagnostics indicate the torque converter came apart and damaged the automatic transmission again. Replacement cost will be $2,400.
Shift lever damage, no longer able to tell what gear is shifted to, there is a recall but this vehicle is not affected due to VIN.
I can't even remember how many time I have had to come to this site about this car. Without any warning the transmission went out and now still owing money on this car I am looking at $2000.00 for a new transmission.
Stalling in traffic with high outside temperature, overdrive off light flashes, very rough shifting, diagnostics indicate torque converter clutch slipping, transmission being replaced.
Recall 98 v 233 000/shift level damage: shift level is not correctly indicating actual gear, consumer contacted dealer, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. *ak
Shift lever does not show the proper gear that the car is in. Dealership has informed consumer that recall 98v233000 does not affect this vehicle. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
My 1996 contour has literally broken down. I have 99,000 miles and have completely replaced the transmission, the front suspension system, and the car still is not dependable, and the same problems re-occur. I hpay more in repairs than I do for my monthly payment.
Shift lever indicator is worn. Can no longer see what gear is being used. There is recall 98v233000, but this vehicle is not affected.
Asked dealership to perform recall 00v-367000 and they said ford has no such recall.
The vehicles overdrive failed resulting in transmission failure, the manufacturer has been contacted. Nlm
Transmission shifted into reverse while shifter was still in drive. Overdrive light was blinking.
While driving about 25 MPH transmission felt like it was shifting into neutral. Vehicle had to be towed. Then, took vehicle to dealer, and found out that piston assambly was in transmission broke.
Transmission went out, and pressing on gas vehicle felt like it was in neutral. Contacted dealer.
The cear is pealing, 2 transmisisons have failed and now the A/C int. Blower only runs on high.
Transmission failure - complete failure of 2-3 gear shift and also locking torque converter.
Vehicle has a crack in transmission housing.*ak consumer states while mechanic was performing routine maintenance he observed a crack in the bottome of the transmission housing, since no transmission work has ever been performed under consumer's ownership roughly since 41,000 miles in the mechanic's opinion that either the transmission housing was cracked when installed or another transmission was put in resulting in a cracked housing, he also observed what might be bad front coil springs, they are making a rubbing nosie on an uneven surface or in a sharp turn to the right,consumer has contacted manufacturer they have called her consumer back but they have turned the complaint into a feedback report consumer has also had rotors turned and serviced twice.
While vehicle is being driven overdrive activates, and vehicle completely shuts down in heavy traffic, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
The air only comes out of the defrost.
Right rear light continued to go out. Replace bulb few times. Right wheel bearing had to be replaced. Major fan belt replaced. Alternator replaced. Light on radio goes off when head lights turned on. This happened after they fixed my recall for lights. Gas cap cover is very hard to open. Takes several times to try and open. When air is on smells come through really strong from other cars. Owner notification recalls are not taken care of until they actually happen. These are coil can break and car go down blow out tires. Also electrical harness can break and wires will connect with other parts of the car and cause a fire. I have sent a letter to the president of ford and explained how I felt this car was unsafe and if anything happened to me or my family they would be held responsible. I never received a response from anyone. They should be made to take back all contours and give us a safer car for us and our families to drive. I am a single parent and cannot afford to finance another car. They need to provide a loan and new car for us. I will be contacting ford again in the near future to see if they will help with taking my car back and giving me another car/loan. As I told them in the letter they just wanted to sell and make money they didn't think of the family and or families that this car as it fell apart would effect. I appreciate that you have this web site that I can voice my concerns,problems with the ford and feel someone may pay attention before someone is hurt in these cars as have been many with the tire situation. I will help you in any way I can to clear up all of these problems. I keep the letter I sent ford in my car in case something happens someone will be able to read it and know I did try to get this problem dissolved before it was to late. Thank you so much for your help. Debbie jennings hewitt
Car has always stalled and I was told by a mechanic that it was because the car was made like a stick shift so it stalls at stop signs and lights sometimes. Now my car is stalling as I start going through lights and I was almost hit by a car from behind
My transmission went out on my 1996 ford countour (66000+ miles). I was told that my transmission went to high line pressure and blew a piston drum in the transmission. The transmission in my car is a cd4e which is also found in madza cars. The cd4e transmission is known for it many problems releated to going to high line pressure and blowing the piston drums in its' earlier designs between (1994 - 1998). Why aren't these defective transmissions recalled for correction.
Was driving one day and overdrive light comes on and cars starts to shift real hard no exact speed matters all the time and engine check light is on all the time.
Car would not shift, entire transmission rebuilt $2600.
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