Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford contour. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was a strong gasoline fuel smell. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated there was a fuel vapor leak in the fuel filler grommet. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v350000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Ford Contour fuel smell problems
21 of the 3,151 owner complaints about the Ford Contour describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20001
- 19993
- 19983
- 19973
- 19963
- 19958
Often reported together
Loss of power 2Won't start 1Stalling 1Fuel pump 1Fuel leak 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
Recall 00v350000: fuel grommet leakage is for bi-fuel cars (contours) and my vehicle was at the mechanics and I am having the same issue but my vehicle is not a bi-fuel vehicle. While I was have my vehicle worked on I asked to check the fuel because as I store my vehicle in the garage for the winter I noticed a gasoline smell. The mechanic told me there was a recall and I contacted 2 ford dealers and ford itself and was informed that this vehicle is not on the recall. The is a very serious issue and should be included in the recall as it is the same specific information on the recall but not for my vehicle.
Consumer has had numerous problems with the 1996 ford contour.*mr there has been so many recalls on consumer's vehicle that she wasn't aware of because the manufacturer never sent notices. Since then consumer has been paying for entire full price and is asking for reimbursement. However, the biggest problem with the vehicle is the gas fumes which is leaking therefore leaving poisonous carbon monoxide fumes coming in through the heater vents. These harsh chemicals are damaging to the lungs, brain, respiratory system and its making consumer very tired among other symptoms.
Dt: contact states the wiring harness is cracking , causing the vehicle to stall while driving, gasoline fumes from the fuel injector is coming inside the vehicle. When it rains or when washing the vehicle it gets water into the computer of the vehicle, causing loss of power, the vehicle will not start. The service dealer stated this was a defect within the vehicle.
Consumer stated the fuel tank filler grommet was damaged and rusted. As a result fuel fumes seeped into the passenger compartment when the vehicle's tank was full .*ak
There was a strong fuel odor in the cabin of the vehicle after fueling. Also, there was a fuel system tank assembly advisory on this issue. Manufacturer was contacted, but provided no assistance. *ak.....strong fuel odors continue whenever consumer attempts to fill fuel tank. Took vehicle to repair station on 12/31/2004, and the mechanic indicated that fuel tank filler pipe grommet was damaged rusted.
The consumer noticed while filling up at the gas station, when he returned to the vehicle a fuel odor was coming inside the vents. Gasoline was leaking from the filler neck onto the ground. The driver was able to drive it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the fuel tank assembly needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.
Starting every spring, lasting through the summer, there is a fuel smell in the cabin. Every ford dealer claims not to smell it, and they have never heard of the problem. It usually occurs in over drive.
Car is 5.5 years old, and the fuel tank needed replacing. The tank was literally falling apart at the seams, leading to gas leaking from the gar and gasoline fumes throughout the house. In addition, no replacement part was available due to a nationwide shortage.
Consumer states while driving there is a gas smell coming inside the vehicle. Consumer feels its related to the recall for the fuel vent hose. Dealer has been contacted. Nlm
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 smell
Which Ford Contour years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (8 complaints), 1996 (3 complaints) and 1997 (3 complaints).
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