Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 ford contour that had cracks in the flywheel along the rear area of the motor. There was a ticking noise in the engine. The consumer took the vehicle to an independent transmission shop, who confirmed there was a crack in the flywheel. There was no explanation as to why this failure occurred. Apparently, it was cracking it is near the bolts that hold the flywheel onto the motor. This happened from hole to hole as if it was at a fatigued point. Was replaced at 40,000 kilometers, and the second flywheel now needs to be replaced at 126,000 kilometers. There were no other apparent problems with the vehicle other then the same issue occurring on both the original flywheels and the replacement.
Ford Contour knocking problems
18 of the 3,151 owner complaints about the Ford Contour describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 1998
By model year
- 19992
- 19986
- 19974
- 19964
- 19952
Often reported together
Headlights 4Warning lights 2Door locks 2Coil spring 2Grinding brakes 2Wipers 1Water leak 1Overheating 1
What owners say
I believe all 1997 ford contours should be recalled, over the past 3 years I have replaced the clutch, waterpump, blower motor, both lower control arms, bushings, sway bars, wheel bearings, front & rear brakes and rotors(both twice!!!!), axle, 2 oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, egr valve, coil springs, battery, balljoints, door latch, almost all of the full front suspension!!!! There are more parts that I had replaced but I can't remember all the names of the parts there are too many!! My check engine light will not turn off, seat belt light will not turn off, short in the drivers side power window, the engine will (rev) up by itself when it's in gear and when it's not, short in the drivers side power seats, water leakage in the trunk, A/C leaks onto the passenger side floor, all doors squeak no matter what you do, carpet is falling out, horn will not work most of the time, same for the cruise control, windshield wiper sprayer does not work, knocking noise coming from the engine, ended up in very bad debt because of this and no one will take it, I still owe money on the piece of crap. Contacted ford motor at one time regarding all the parts I replaced after the first year I had it, they say it's not there problem. Dealership who sold it to me says it was just fine, bull crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe that those are too many items for a 1997 to go wrong on.
The hood's safety latch failed causing hood to flip open and smash backward onto to the windshield shattering it completely, knocking out the light console in the roof, denting the roof, and causing significant damage to the hood, and various appurtenances in the hood and windshield area. Nlm
There is a spring clip that belongs with tensioner belt that needs to be replaced again. There comes a knocking noise and shaking from vehicle when consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything about it.
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed a smoke smell coming through the vents. He pulled over to the shoulder and vehicle was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak prior to recall 00v367, engine was overheating and burning excess oil from overheated piston rings, after recall repairs, there was an internal antifreeze leak that was going into motor oil, engine cooling fans were operating intermittently when engine was hot, dealer found upper radiator hose at water pump had a pinhole leak, engine cooling fan wiring overheated and burned out at fan relay and fan connectors, then consumer received recall 01i009 and had these repairs completed on vehicle, after recall repairs, engine and in-dash wiring overheated and burned, dealer installed recall parts for blower motor again, consumer later informed a new motor was needed due to no compression due to overheating damage. This took place prior to vehicle fire. Headlight and taillight lenses replaced. Overdrive light was inoperative, shift lever internal sliding bezel had a stress crack, at times it was hard to get out of park when temperature was cold. A/c did not blow cold air and was noisy. Fuel door would not open at times. Speedometer cable was replaced due to a ticking noise.
Problems started at 119miles, dealers either don't confirm problem or say it's normal for this car. Multiple repair attempts at 4 dealers. Severe vibration and pull at highway speeds are the tires (confired with my winter tires-no problem), klunking from front end when going over bumps, all dash warning lights come on during winter at idle-go out after restart or engine acceleration, front seats wobble side to side-dealer says normal for car-wan't present when new, pulsing front end shimmy on highway-not tire related-possible cv shaft issue-dealers stated npf, engine spark knocks under light loads-no change with different gas grades or brands-dealers says npf, headlamps go dim at idle-dealers says normal-not present when new, poor low beam visibility from headlamps, aluminum wheels are too porous-lose abnormal air amounts-dealer says npf. Most of these have been since new or started within 1st year of new- no dealers has yet "confirmed" problems when they are readily apparent to others. In shop for over 3 months total since new. *ak (tiresize: p205/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 )
Consumer heard a knocking sound from front right of vehicle, had it inspected, and was told that right front coil spring was broken.
Without warning engine check light came on causing vehicle to start to knock and make alot of noise. Prior to this incident, vehicle was taken to dealer to be checked for excessive use of oil.
While traveling at 75mph the engine water pump goes out. Only thing heard or seen was a engine knock. The engine had to be replaced.
Wiring harness malfunctioned/shorted out. Also, when turning left, vehicle made a knocking noise.
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 knocking
Which Ford Contour years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (6 complaints), 1996 (4 complaints) and 1997 (4 complaints).
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