Ford Contour fire or smoke problems

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 150,000 miles · WA

My car was recalled in 2001. The past 6 mo my electrical system smells like its burning or something melting. Almost like its going to catch on fire

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Electrical · 62,922 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. While parked, the contact smelled smoke and noticed flames near the rear of the radio and the center column that divided the front and rear driver side doors. The contact was able to extinguish the flames herself. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v230000 (electrical system) that could possibly have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated the failure affected the exterior lighting and interior lighting of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,922.

Filed Jan 8, 2010 · Steering · 80,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle and the steering column began over heating continuously. On several occasions, the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the burning smell; however, the vehicle caught fire. At times, the key was too hot to remove from the ignition. The current and failure mileages were 83000 when the fire occurred.

Filed Dec 11, 2009 · Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

My '95 ford contour has been overheating, smelling hot, with the steering column heating up to the point of the car key, in the ignition, getting too hotto handle--for some time, now. Fearing that there might be a fire hazard, I took it to my local ford dealer. He said my car, per it's VIN no., has not been recalled; so he did nothing about my concerns. Now, a week ago today (12/3/09), and a week or so after bringing my car in for the first time, I was driving 20-30 MPH, down a city street in my small town, when, suddenly, I heard a popping sound; and the electricity in the car turned off. The car stopped dead in it's tracks, as I was turning into a parking lot! I tried to put the hazard light on; but it would not turn on. The steering wheel & steering column were very hot. I turned the key, in the ignition, in an attempt to turn the car back on. Instead, it made another popping sound; and died completely! Smoke started coming from under the hood. When I opened the hood, the battery water was boiling over, sizzling, and smoking. When I called my ins. Roadside assist, and told them what happened, they told me to call the fire dept. So, I called the fire dept. They came and disconnected the battery; and noted that the battery was smoking. They pushed my car to a parking spot, from where I had it towed it to my local ford dealer. The ford dealer man said they could do nothing about it; and I left it there, in their parking lot. I'm afraid to drive the car, for fear it might start on fire, since I have seen, on the internet, that the '95 ford contour has been recalled for ignition fires!!! Being caught in a burning fire, with my seat belt on, is very scary to me! The questions, at the bottom, right, of my screen, are cut off, so I can only see half of the questions, starting with: "was there...." "property da...." "was there a..." "reported to...." I'm sorry,I have no way of answering your questions, here.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Electrical · CA · fire

My 1995 ford contour was repaired under the recall when the engine cooling fan and wiring harness burned up. However they replaced only that part of the wiring harness that is directly connected with engine cooling fans, the rest of the underhood wiring is failing due to overheating causing the insulation to break down. I had to replace the connector to the engine temperature sensor because it has turned into a soft gelatin like substance causing shorts. I believe the entire underhood wiring harness should have been replaced when the fans caught on fire. Currently there is a shorter maybe an open circuit in the engine wiring causing the check engine light to come on and stay on at times but it sets no trouble codes.

Filed Oct 10, 2007 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · MN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. After being parked for four hours, the vehicle caught fire without warning. The fire originated on the front driver side. The vehicle was not towed or inspected by a dealer. The fire extinguished on its own. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2007 · Engine · 75,237 miles · PA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford contour. While driving 20 MPH, the contact noticed smoke and flames rising from under the hood. The fire destroyed the vehicle. A police report was filed. As of september 18, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the fire. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 75,237.

Filed Jul 6, 2007 · Electrical, Transmission · 141,720 miles · NJ · fire

Experienced transmission issues, with intermittent rough shifting and intermittent failures to engage in drive or reverse. It mysteriously started to run fine for several days. One morning I drove a short distance for an appointment. Upon returning and starting the car I noticed smoke exiting the left side of the engine compartment. I turned of the vehicle and inspected the engine compartment, and I could still see some smoke coming from the left-rear part of the engine compartment. After this incident, several of the vehicle's electrical functions failed, including park/brake shift interlock, heater fan, backup lights, directional flashers. Following the incident, the transmission issues have resumed. Upon inspection, I noticed several wires had cracking insulation, and some even had bare wire exposed.

Filed Nov 6, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 95,000 miles · MD · fire

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught on fire while in gear. A pop noise was heard and smoke came out from under the hood. The front of the vehicle then caught fire. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss and it was never taken to a service dealer. A fire department report was processed.*ak updated 12/11/06.

Filed Aug 26, 2005 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · MS

Dt: consumer felt vehicle had bad wiring harness. The engine light came on and off. There were no air conditioner/ heater/ compressor or fan . Took vehicle to an a mechanic, it was there that mechanic determined that the wiring harness was faulty, and had a potential for catching on fire. No repairs were made. Consumer contacted dealership and ford manufacturer about this problem. Consumer was advised of an extended warranty through customer relations for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Consumer did not apply for extended warranty because vehicle was over 100,000 miles, and dealer never made consumer aware of this in the past. No repairs were made.