Ford Contour jerking problems

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Engine · 94,600 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford contour. The contact stated that the engine wiring harness insulation failed and caused the wires to touch, which could possibly result in a fire. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty any longer. The contact discovered a recall for the 1995-1997 models for the exact same defect. As a result, the vehicle stalled and had to be towed to his residence. The vehicle jerked and made a beeping noise prior to the failure. The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage was 94,600 and current mileage was 94,782.

Filed Nov 27, 2005 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · CA

Transmission began to downshift (3->2) hard recently, and I brought it to an automatic transmission specialist who performed several tests and gave it a clean bill of health. ~5,000 mi later while gently slowing to turn left from a major street, it felt as though I had run over some walnut shells. As I began to ease open the throttle to complete the turn, the engine bogged and the car lurched, making some crunching sounds. I coasted to a stop on the side of the road, but the car would not move under its own power or by pushing by hand. Local transmission shops have said the cd4e transmission is notorious for early failure, and that I was lucky to get 102,000 miles from it because many fail by 40,000 miles. They have quoted me repair prices ranging from $1500 to $3500. I am very grateful this failure did not happen while either on the freeway or on a curvy road, as an axle lockup like this would be very dangerous.

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · FL · fire

The problem started on the incident date, wire problem cause the entire fan/AC/heater panel so no longer work, the wire got so hot hot it melted our under-dash fuse box, we went for 9 months and a baby with no A/C in hot and no heat in the cold, husband(josh murphy) went to junk yard after being turned away by dealership and got replacement parts off an identical car. That was in june of 2005. On that date we saw that all of the wires under the hood were severely cracked and damaged after eltrcial taping a few of the exposed wired there became a short that now cuases a computer problem and a loss of power then trying to accelerate anf pull into traffic, or just anytime it wants to. The over-drive light comes on and transmission starts to get really jerky and the odometer and everything else in the panal starts to malfunction, most of the time we dont even know how fast we are going or how many miles we have gone. We have a 18 month old and a new baby due in just weeks and I am scared that one time when I go to pull out the car just isnt going to go at all and we might get hit by someone, o and sometimes it just turns itself off in traffic too. The deaalership tell me that all of those wires were replaced in 2000 but they should have made it longer that 4 years without degenerating again. The local dealership also tells me that I would have to just pay for the work and being a new family we cannot afford something like that, especially since it was a recall item at one time. Please there has to be something done about this, I know we are not the only 96 ford contour owners with this exact problem either.

Filed May 29, 2005 · OH

Shift indicator does not move when car is shifted, driver has to count the clicks to be able to tell if they're in what drive they're in. Saw it in a recall, took it to the dealer and was told that my model isn't covered in the recall. After getting off the highway, car made load moaning noises, engine reved, rpms jumped around and car stalled in the middle of traffic. Started up right after. Did not take to get looked at. If the temperature outside is under 40 degrees, the car will moan loudly, the engine will rev, the steering will go out, and then the car stalls, happens mostly when breaking. Sometimes instead of stalling, the car will lurch forward. Almost caused atleast 3 accidents. Took to a repair shop, they couldn't find anything wrong. When first purchased the car, the engine light would come on all the time. Took it for repair, they said it was a sensor. Had to get the sensor replaced 6 times before the problem stopped, at conumers expense.

Filed Apr 1, 2005 · Engine · FL

1999 ford contour, check engine" light came on, car jerking/stalling, took it to local mechanic who could not diagnose problem, then had to have car towed to local ford delaership (key scales ford, lessburg, florida), they kept car for 2 days, charged over $800 to replace the timing belt, attempted to charge an additional $165 to replece spark plugs (service declined, spark plugs replaced by local mechanic for $50), "check engine" light still on, car still jerking/stalling. Afraid to drive car out of immediate neighborhood. Local mechanic suggested possibly catalytic converter problem but said it could not even be tested because of the position of the converter is in the middle of the manifold and is inaccessible. Local ford dealership has not replied to email requesting additional investigation.

Filed Nov 22, 2004 · Acceleration · NY

When driving, the consumer took her foot off of the gas pedal and could see the rmp's and speed of the vehicle went up. The vehicle actually jerked forward as the hit brakes. *bf the consumer was told that there was no problem with the vehicle.

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Transmission · 94,400 miles · CA

I purchased the car on october 1, 2004. I was driving the car for about 10 minutes on the freeway I slowed down due to traffic. When I started to take off I felt a jerk when the transmission shifted. My check engine light came on. When I turn off my car and restart it, it does not jerk when it shifts, unless I continue to drive about 10 miles, then it does it again.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · NJ

I was driving in the evening returning home-I braked for the red light and heard metal on metal on the passenger side of my vehicle and jerked to a stop-I had to have emergency repairs done-failure of the calipers, roger and laser only on the passenger side of the car.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Acceleration, Visibility · 68,000 miles · TX

Vehicle hesitates and jerks violently on acceleration, feels like it wants to stall.dashboard curled up in front by windshield, obstructing view and popped out vent trim. Dealer wouln't fix it because they said the recall on it had expired. Had to try to glue it down ourself.

Filed May 24, 2004 · Transmission · CA

While driving at any speed vehicle jerked and changed gears on its own. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred.