Engine wiring harness insulation is crumbling leaving exposed wires. Found that this is a common problem for ford contours (all years), but that a recall has only been issued for 1995-1997 vehicles. Have had multiple problems with sensors not working, speedometer and fuel gauge intermittently stops functioning. Check engine light comes on randomly. Mechanic has stated that problems are in wiring harness.
Ford Contour fuel gauge problems
10 of the 3,151 owner complaints about the Ford Contour describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 1998
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20001
- 19992
- 19986
- 19971
Often reported together
What owners say
The fuel gauge needle floated erratically. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a defective fuel flow meter inside the fuel tank.*ak
This vehicle is a duel fuel system; natural gas and gasoline. This vehicle has two modes of operation controlled via a toggle switch: (1) switch in the ng position, which operates the vehicle on ng and then automatically switches to gasoline and (2)switch is in the gasoline position, which completely bypasses the ng fuel altogether. On friday 8/10/01, a 95 degree day, the car was set at the ng postion. At an intersection I was waiting at a stop sign with the intent on making a left hand turn across two lanes of a four lane road. As I proceeded to accelerate the vehicle immediately stalled. Thankfully I had not actually engaged the intersection. If I had an oncoming dump truck would have hit me on the drivers side. I noted that the ng fuel level was at zero (or close to it) and the enigine should have seamlessly kicked into gasoline fuel reserve, which was full. Apparently this did not happen and resulted in the stall. Later in the day this occurred again while in a parking lot. I am thankful that I was not injured as a result of this problem.
My contour continues to stall while driving. I was first told by dealer service that it was the fuel pump, then the fuel filter, and finally that it was a sensor. This vehicle seems to stall when my gas gauge is close to a quarter tank of gas. I just got this car out of the service dept. 4 days ago, now it is still stalling and the engine light is on.
Gas gauge is inadequate when putting gas in tank. Gas gauge does not show correct amount.
Rear suspension creaking noise has been persistant, "fixed" 4 times by dealer, yet problem persists; fuel gauge floats cannot seem to be fixed (3 new guages, 2 fuel senders, 1 new fuel tank & float).
Speedometer/odmeter and fuel gauge are not working. Vehicle gave no prior warnings, and shutdown while in motion. Dealership's remedy for fuel gauge and speedometer are for them to be replaced. Defect may have caused consumer into an automobile accident.*ak sometimes, all of them do work, but may fail while traveling.
The speedometer, odometer, trip odometer and gas gauge stop working on an intermittent basis. Generally they resume working on their own, at which time the low fuel warning light comes on for a few seconds and then goes out. I returned the car to the dealer for service on 10 april 00. They could not verify the intermittent problem and did nothing. I hit the top of the dash smartly, which fixed the problem for about six weeks, but now it has returned. Lack of knowledge about speed and fuel is most annoying and dangerous as well.
Was at a service station. Thought that they haven't turned on the pump, and realized that vehicle was not accepting any more gas. Fuel gauge was reading like it was a full tank. Contacted manufacturer. Took it to a local mechanic who said that there may be a problem with the fuel gauge
Das tank deformed, resulting in loss of power/stalling. In addition. In addition, stuttering of engine due to false gas gauge readings.
Related recalls
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles. These vehicles may have a fuel tank filler pipe grommet that could have been damaged during the installation of the bi-fuel system. If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
- Risk
- If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
Recall number 00V350000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fuel filler pipe vent hose may have less than the intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in the hose becoming brittle and cracking.
- Risk
- A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is being fueled.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.
Recall number 99V247000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles modified to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (cng). The natural gas fuel tanks have a solenoid shut-off valve that stops fuel flow from the fuel tank in the event of certain moderate to severe collisions. If the vehicle is in a collision and the natural gas fuel line is damaged, the system could leak natural gas.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford has requested owners of these vehicles to have the cng fuel system disabled under a previous recall campaign and to only use gasoline fuel until a permanent corrective action is developed. Owners are being alerted to this solenoid valve concern at this time. The timing of corrective actions is being delayed to allow both conditions to be remedied at one time. In the meantime, there is not risk as long as the natural gas system has been disabled and the vheicle is only operated on gasoline.
Recall number 97V203000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement, constructed from two separately molded pieces, can leak at the weld.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank assemblies with units containing one-piece molded reinforcements.
Recall number 95V232000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.
Recall number 94V203000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can develop a static electrical charge during refueling of the vehicle.
- Risk
- A static charge can discharge and serve as an ignition source for fuel vapors in the area of the filler pipe, resulting in a flash vapor ignition and a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, modify the vehicles by adding a ground strap between the filler pipe shield and the body.
Recall number 94V184000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Contour fuel gauge
Which Ford Contour years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (6 complaints), 1999 (2 complaints) and 1997 (1 complaints).
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