1998 Ford Contour engine and engine cooling problems

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE DID NOT KNOW THE BOLTS WERE MISSING AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD HAVE THEM ORDERED. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”

“ORIGINAL START DATE 1-12-07. TIMING BELT SHREDDED. HAD SHOP FIX THE PROBLEM. 4-2-07 BELT BROKE AGAIN REPLACED AGAIN. 10-18-07 TIMING BELT BROKE AGAIN. SHOP DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE AGAIN SAID IT IS DEALER PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS SHOP PROBLEM. SHOP SAYS IT WILL FIX ON 11-2-07. SHOP FINALLY FIXES ON 11-4-05. CAR NOT RUNNING RIGHT TAKE BACK TO DEALER ON 11-5-07. DEALER SAYS WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY. 11-8-07 PICK UP FROM DEALER AND THEY STATE WE SHOULD HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS. IF SO BRING BACK UNDER WARRANTY. 3-13-08 DEALER NOW STATES BELT BROKE AND NOT COVERED AND OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS. ALMOST 1600 TO FIX. STILL CAN'T GIVE ME SPECIFIC REASON TO WHY BELT KEEPS SHREDDING. NOW WHAT IS ONE TO DO? I HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO THIS AND CAN'T GET A REAL ANSWER. ALSO IN THE PAST SHOP PRINTED OUT OTHER REPORTS FROM NHTSA SIGHT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME CAR IN DIFFERENT STATES. BUT YET DEALER SAYS DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS KIND OF CAR. *TR”

“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.”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. IN 2001, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V255000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME AND STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE COILS SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND CABLE IN ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR UPDATED 06/04/08. *LJ”

“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.”

“TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY COLD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS NEEDING A NEW PROCESSOR. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON.”