Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the temperature gauge became inoperable. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who replaced a sensor.
1998 Ford Contour engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 134, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Driving on intersate 66 from manassas va into washington dc at 65mph when noticed cold air blowing out of heater vents. Car is severely overheated before safe exit from highway. Water pump's plastic impeller had shattered with 53k miles on the car. Ford replaced water pump for $527. After overheating the car also begins to leak oil from several locations. The oil pan gasket is replaced for $407 at 63k miles. The replacement water pump's gasket is discovered to be leaking at 66k miles while trying to locate the source of additional oil leaks - this time the oil pressure sending unit.
Dealer told me electrical system had a short. O2 sensor & computer in car. The car has had to have the o2 sensor replaced 3 times ($1200.00 charged by to me by dealer each time) and the computer reset. *ak my complaint is that I should not have to pay to have the electrical fixed and the o2 censor replaced again (4 time!!)... The turn signals work and than do not .. I have been told a short is in the car but ford will not find for free.. I am tired of fixing this car please please help
While driving vehicle shut down. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the engine was found to be defective.
Check engine light illuminated 9/04 and I took my 98 ford contour to my mechanic who diagnosed it as needing a new catalytic converter. I took it to ford in 3/05 (because my mechanic said it could wait awhile) and they diagnosed a different code and replaced the manifold. After paying $600.00 to ford, the light came on again after 45 miles. Took the car to autozone and they diagnosed a catalytic code. I had told ford that was the problem before I brought it in and now they want me to re-diagnosed with them out of pocket.
The consumer believes that the rubber odor he smelled inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle came from the belts in the engine. *nm
Smoke then flames came from the engine compartment and within 5 minutes of parking in the garage. The fire department extinguished the fire, and indicated that the fire occurred because of an electrical system failure.
While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced.
Intermittently when the gas pedal was applied, the vehicle failed to accelerate. This occurred because of an obstruction in the flow of fuel to the engine. The dealership has serviced the vehicle 5 times. They have replaced the fuel pump, the filter and the oxygen sensor. The problem still exist. The dealership refused to service the vehicle anymore because they indicated they have done all they could do to correct this problem. *nm the vehicle leaked oil over the entire engine, the fuel pressure dropped when the vehicle was driven on mountainous areas, a short was found, and wires were found chaffed. *sc
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.
While driving at any speed, the vehicle would intermittently stall and the check engine light would stay on. The dealer informed the consumer that a new engine was needed. This vehicle has been repaired for thirteen recalls since ownership by the consumer. *ak *la
This car has been nothing but problems, springs, brakes last 4 months,water pumps went at 63,000, tires wear out in less than a year, temperature gauges do not read right. Engine races, solenoid went....very expensive to fix. I do not understand why everyone is having the same problems but no help?
Temperature rising while in rush hour traffic. Car started smelling like something was burning. Got off nearest exit .2miles. Stopped car. When car was restarted temerature indicator was in the red zone. Took car to dealer. The fan housing system had melted.
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.
Consumer stated that while driving and with no warning the vehicle stalled, which made it difficult to control. Dealer notified.*ak the failure was intermittent. Several attempts were made to repair the problem. It occurred a lot at idle or while coasting, especially when turning corners. Dealer confused. *ph
Suffered a water pump failure. The plastic/bakelite impeller shattered catastrophically, resulting in parts strewn throughout coolant system. Total repair cost: $470. Since part was replaced at an independent garage, ford will not report the faulty part. Perhaps propylene glycol, the principle chemical found in coolant, causes the plastic part to become brittle and shatter, but no one at ford will listen to that. Numerous complaints found on web regarding this same issue. Time for a recall - the toronto field office told me that there is no recall on this problem.
Consumer states that while vehicle is stopped engine would race. Dealer notified.
Car sputtering and stalling. Service engine light comes on and stays on. Have had it "reset" to turn the service engine light off only for it to come back on a few days later.
Shreds timing chain belts every 40-100 miles, 8 replacements in 3 months. Pulleys, tensioner and belt all replaced repeatedly by ford dealership and they are trying to say it's normal.
Timing belt needed to be replaced. Have taken the car back 4 times since then for the same problem with the timing belt.
The vehicle stalled, which almost caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle.
Consumer states timing belt failure is causing vehicle to hesitates or may not start intermittenly dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
Ford operation #991308a ford is aware of a problem with the cycle variable camshaft timing (vct) solenoid which according to a print out is still covered under the emissions warranty coverage of 80,000miles and 8 years. However, when calling the dealer onthe problem - they play stupid and quote a pricing in the thousands. What gives??? My information comes directly from ford to the mitchell information company., llc. According to the service tech who looked at the car - he said this is a problem that he is seeing too frequently on the contour, especially the 98. Is this one of the reasons why ford discontinued to produce this car? Should this be a recall, since this condition may cause the car to stall in the drive position without warning? Dt
Consumer states that while driving the engine light comes on and will stay on the remainder of the time vehicle is in motion. Dealer notified, oxygen sensor was replaced by a different technician which seems to have corrected the problem. Mr
I've had to replace the water pump 4 times on my 1998 ford contour. Dec. 28, 2001 - 1st incident: water pump failure, also had to replace sensor and thermostat because the radiator had zero water in it. March 26, 2002 - 2nd incident: water pump failure. May 24, 2002 - 3rd incident: water pump failure. October 24, 2002 - 4th incident: water pump failure, also had to have a belt on the pump replaced. I called norma at the ford customer relationship center (1‑800‑392‑3673) and she told me there is nothing that ford can do since the parts warranty (12 month/12,000 miles) is over the mileage. I will have to pay for the replacement of a water pump and if there are future failures under the warranty once I've paid for the repairs it will be replaced at no charge. I informed norma that the dealership stated that they have other customers having the same problems with the water pump failure/defect and that ford is aware of the problem. The dealership has graciously paid for a rental car for all 4 replacements and has given me a discount on labor for this 4th replacement. Also my check engine light continually stays on even after being "serviced" by the dealership. Dt
Consumer states while traveling, and without any indication vehicle stalls, vehicle was serviced by technician who notice timing belt needed to be replace vehicle is on the second timing belt. Nlm
The vehicle stalls without warning while stopped, the vehicle has been taken to two dealers but neither inspected the vehicle. *nlm
While driving noticed a fire on right side of vehicle in cooling fan. Car was totaled. *ak
Timing chain broke while driving at 50 MPH. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
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