10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Contour cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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1996 Ford Contour Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Aug 152002

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Mr

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

problem #23

Aug 162002

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
While driving 65 mph, engine went from normal to red hot in temperature. Vehicle was towed to dealership and found plastic water pump fan had broken into pieces.

- Powell, OH, USA

problem #22

Sep 112002

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Wiring to cooling system melted. Also, each time consumer takes vehicle to dealer she is told that nothing is wrong with vehicle.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

problem #21

Mar 112002

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The original water pump on this engine has a plastic impeller which is prone to failure. I have talked to several owners of this same car who experienced this identical problem. I believe the water pump design is defective.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #20

Apr 032002

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Ridgeland, MS, USA

problem #19

Dec 152001

Contour

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #18

Nov 212001

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Water pump failure @ 78000 miles - report early failure.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #17

Feb 012001

Contour

  • miles
Asked dealership to perform recall 00V-367000 and they said Ford has no such recall.

- Big Bear City, CA, USA

problem #16

May 272001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
When the water pump failed th head gasket also failed. And possibly a cracked cylinder head.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #15

Mar 282001

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving engine overheated. Then, took vehicle to dealer. Dealer found out that problem was with water pump that malfuntioned, and caused overheating. The empellor fell apart causing the engine to over heat.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #14

Dec 102000

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, engine overheated, dealer stated that vehicle is not covered under manufacturer's recall due to VIN, consumer feels this vehicle should be included.

- Belton, SC, USA

problem #13

Feb 012000

Contour

  • miles
Engine ran out of coolant fluids. Dealership was aware of problrm.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #12

Jan 102001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Consumer was driving and engine overheated without prior warning. Vehicle was blowing out blue smoke and making clunknig noises.

- East Bernstadt, KY, USA

problem #11

Oct 012000

Contour

  • miles
Plastic impeller disinigrated inside water pump> no indication previously at weep hole> Ford charges $350 to replace after just being there 2 days earlier for timing belt replacement.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #10

Jul 132000

Contour

  • miles
Cooling system failed at low mileage for no reason. I was informed by a friend that he was told by a car dealership that there was a "silent recall" on the cooling system and head gasket, when I called they denied it. Water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, thermostat, sw 5030 switch, DY719 switch, frr2 relay and pressure test cooling system and inspection where done. I had all parts replaced with new Ford parts at non-Ford repair station due to williams Ford bad service and reputation of not fixing cars properly and over charging. I feel that williams Ford should be investgated on how they run the matiance department, myself and people I have meet have had nothing but problems.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #9

Jul 132000

Contour

  • miles
Cooling system failed at low mileage for no reason. I was informed by a friend that he was told by a car dealership that there was a "silent recall" on the cooling system and head gasket, when I called they denied it. Water pump, timing belt, serpentine belt, thermostat, sw 5030 switch, DY719 switch, frr2 relay and pressure test cooling system and inspection where done. I had all parts replaced with new Ford parts at non-Ford repair station due to williams Ford bad service and reputation of not fixing cars properly and over charging. I feel that williams Ford should be investgated on how they run the matiance department, myself and people I have meet have had nothing but problems.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #8

Aug 152000

Contour

  • miles
The water pump impeller failed. The impeller is made of plastic and it developed cracks. The result was overheating. A water pump failure at 42K miles is unacceptable. Other Contour owners had this problem and there should be a recall.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #7

Feb 012000

Contour

  • miles
Each incident has been with the engine, the dealership attempts to fix one problem and another engine problem begins. My car has been in repair for the fifth time in four of the five months that I have had the car. I've been driving a rental car three, almost four weeks now. Because of these problems with the engine. What can I do?

- Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #6

Feb 201996

Contour

  • miles
Consumer bought vehicle in September. She went outside that morning to start it up her vehicle and she noticed a knocking noise comming from underneath the hood. The dealer replaced starter and water pump but problem still exist.

- North Highland, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 112000

Contour

  • miles
Water pump impeller broke into two pieces imeediately paralizing the entire engine cooling system. This defect, to the best of my knowledge is common for Ford Contour equipped with 2.5L V6 duratec engines. Although not directly related to passenger safety in the traditional sense, this defect is potentially very dangerous. I think Ford should recall the part given the number of failures.

- East Lansing, MI, USA

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