Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford contour. While driving approximately 40 MPH on a wet road, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil springs were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred every time the road was wet. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
Ford Contour engine failure problems
50 of the 3,151 owner complaints about the Ford Contour describe engine failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 50
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,200
- typical mileage
- 75,014
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 16Check engine light 11Fire or smoke 5Stalling 3Jerking 2Coil spring 2Won't start 1Whining noise 1
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. The contact stated that the wiring harness was malfunctioning, which causes the check engine indicator to illuminate on the instrument panel, engine failure, and electrical fires under the hood. He has been repairing the failure himself, but the wiring harness continues to malfunction. The dealer stated that there were no recalls related to the failure and the repair would cost $1,500. The manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford contour. The current mileage was 134,112. The failure mileage was 114,112. While driving 70mph the vehicle hesitated a few times and then the engine died. The vehicle was restarted after 15 minutes. The dealer stated the fuel tank had failed. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 00v350000 (fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly).
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. One month ago, the contact discovered that there is a recall for her vehicle. She stated that the engine lights continue to illuminate while driving 40 MPH, and a wiring repair was performed in the transmission. She also stated that the wiring harness was damaged by the heater blower. The vehicle was purchased in 2001 and the contact has been experiencing engine failure ever since. The engine size is not available. The current mileage is 110,000 and failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* - the contact called regarding the 1998 ford contour. The contact stated that the engine seized when the temperature was extremely cold. The failure mileage was 50,000. The dealer diagnosed the failure as needing a new processor. The engine light stayed on.
Engine failure while accelerating in a passing zone.
Head gasket and engine failure on my 1996 ford contour at 64,000 miles. The car was well taken care of and it happened while I was in a passing zone and the car failed to accelerate. From what I can see over the internet, this is an on-going problem with ford.
Ford motor corp is aware of a defective valve in it's ford contours with 6 cyl 2.5l engines that causes an oil out and over-pressurized condition. My vehicle experienced this and my mechanic contacted a ford service manager and was told that they are having a silent recall, and each case will be handled on a case by case basis. When I took the car to ford and after keeping it for a week they determined that they would not rectify the problem because I had not received my oil change from them. I had previously taken my vehicle to ford and spent so much money for all problems and I have well documented service records on my vehicle. I also have a college son that I purchased the same vehicle for and am afraid that his will experience the same problem while he is out on the highway. I have had to replace the engine because of this. The vehicle only has 38,000 miles and has always been well maintained. I think that this is a safety hazard to many consumers and that ford should step up and service this problem for it's loyal customers and for the safety of so many individuals.
Vehicle's engine blew up. Vehicle was 14 miles out of warranty, however the vehicle was purchased with 28 miles on it. *la
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.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0l and 2.5l engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.
- Risk
- Overheating of the cooling fan motor due to excessive current can result in smoke and odors from bearing grease, insulation and other internal motor components. If electrical current continues to be applied to the motor, internal motor components could ignite possibly igniting other engine compartment components.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or 100,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle already has more than 100,000 miles, this coverage will last until july 31, 2001.
Recall number 00V367000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Contour engine failure
Which Ford Contour years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (19 complaints), 1998 (13 complaints) and 1996 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Ford Contour?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,200 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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