1997 Ford Contour: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · NC · fire

Dt: 01s22 ford recall. Consumer had recall work done . Dealer should have replaced the heater blower switch and a wire jumper harness. Dealer completed work on march 15, 2002. Dealer iwas mike shad ford in jacksonville, florida. Last tuesday july 12, 2005 the wire jumper harness caught on fire while consumer was driving vehicle on side street, glenwood ave., at night. Flames shot up from where windshield wipers were located. Flame lasted a couple seconds then were gone. Consumer pulled over, contacted fire department, and had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer don jenkins ford in suquay, north carolina. Consumer contacted insurance company and they said it was a defect so they would not pay. Consumer found on the federal safety agency website that ford offered a warranty on this recall of 10 years from original date of sale or 150,000 miles. When she contacted ford they told her that warranty was only 100,000 miles and the federal safety agency website information was incorrect. Ford will not fix vehicle for consumer.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Electrical · 92,708 miles · NJ · fire

The vehicle caught on fire after being parked for 2 minutes. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire marshall informed the consumer that the cause might have been an electrical short. The dealer was not notified at this time. *ak *sc

Filed Oct 26, 2004 · Electrical · 109,000 miles · NC · fire

While parked in the driveway vehicle caught on fire.

Filed Dec 15, 2001 · Visibility · MI

This automobile is giving off a horrific burning smell anytime that the heater is turned on. No one at the ford motor company wants to take responsibility for any of the defects with their products. I would just like to say that, that is beyond poor customer service on the part of ford. I would also like to let it be known that this is not the only major.*ak manufacture defect with this vehicle that I have found. The entire front-end suspension of this vehicle needs to be recalled. I less that 1 week ago replaced front wheel bearings because of a loud rubbing, roaring noise and they are starting to make the same unbearable noise again. You, at ford, advised me that there were no other complaints for this type of problem. Well I would like to make you all aware that there are. If you would take the time to look through your complaints under anything having to deal with the tires, front-end suspension, wheels, wheel bearings or bearings themselves I am certain that you will find additional complaints. When your poor unfortunate and miseducated customers call with their comments concerns and issues, they are asked what is their concern. They, not knowing what the problems are state what it is they hear while driving the death trap they have been sold or have been told by your dealers. Leaving every thing too broad and wide open to be scattered and incorrectly categorized. Which works out to your benefit. As I understand it, anytime ford has a recall or admits that they have a problem with a vehicle they are fined and has to pay several penalties. Well I should think that ford would want to pay the paucity of fees and penalties now and make the repairs needed rather than have another firestone tire incident on the hands and conscience. But who knows maybe you all dont care.

Filed Jul 14, 2000 · Electrical · MO · fire

My car died, after pulling over I noticed smoke coming from the back left seat. Called fire dept. They said rear wire harness caught on fire. Towed to matt ford, buckner, mo. Of which they said there was no recall, I called ford 1‑800‑392‑3673 and was told recall 99m30 might cover it, but it is up to the servie manager at ford. Matt ford will not look at it until my insurance adjuster looks at it. Please help!!! Could I get a copy of that recall? And how?

Filed Oct 22, 1999 · Engine · MI

The check engine light comes on and the vehicle cuts off without no prior warning and there is smoke coming from the exhaust system.

Filed Aug 30, 1999 · MI

Whenever turning on air conditioning on high, there is a burning smell coming from the A/C unit.

Filed Jul 12, 1999 · Visibility · TN · fire

While driving at 35 MPH smelled smoke, and heater switch caught on fire and burned.

Filed Jul 1, 1998 · Electrical · MD · fire

Parked vehicle and turned ignition off. When the owner came back outside noticed that vehicle was on fire. The fire started under the hood. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer stated that before the fire broke out, he smelled gas for 10 days, and he had made an appointment at service station to check out vehicle. But the vehicle had caught on fire before the appointment. There were a couple of recalls listed on this vehicle concerning fires.