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 However, now that the failure has occurred, the manufacturer stated that the recall was no longer valid.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. 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 updated 06/04/08.

- Lexington, MA, USA

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.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

: the contact stated while driving 55 mph, the temperature gauge became inoperable. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who replaced a sensor.

- New Martinsville, WV, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle stalled several times immediately after being started and the check engine light illuminated constantly. Therefore the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the battery, on-board computer, and alternator were replaced. A rebuilt transmission was also installed. After the work was performed, the problems continued. There is a NHTSA recall campaign # 98V233000, regarding the power train: Automatic transmission: Lever and linkage: Floor shift related to the make and model of the vehicle, however the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The water pump and thermostat was replaced. Updated 05/03/06.

- Miami, FL, USA

While driving vehicle shut down. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the engine was found to be defective.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

Smoke then flames came from the engine compartment and within 5 minutes of parking in the garage. The fire department extinguished the fire, and indicated that the fire occurred because of an electrical system failure.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

We have a 1998 Ford Contour. The check engine light goes on. It first came on in Oct 01 we took it to the Ford garage in delhi. They said it needed a cam sensor/ solenoid sprockets etc. Since that was a lot of money we decided to take it to Canadian tire to see what they thought. They thought it was a cam sensor. We had them put that in. $58. Mileage 111346. It worked fine for a couple weeks. We complained to Ford and found out about the awa.. after warranty adjustment. This had not been mentioned earlier. So we a new solenoid sprocket etc. Put in by Ford, , (Jan /02). How it came to that mileage when ctc had it back in Nov/ 01 and then it was* 11134*"??" they also had it in Dec and the mileage was 112279.) that baffles me. The check engine light was to surface again. My daughter had the car at school so she was finally able to take it to our garage in may/28/02 at that time the garage checked #3 cylinder cause of our check engine concerns.. cost $39.10. Nothing was done at that time. The engine light continued to stay on. Finally we took it in again on Oct 24th and another cam sensor was put on. $144.46. Mileage 130776. On Nov, .5th /02 took it in again and they said it would require an exhaust camshaft and solenoid gaskets and seals. We again asked about the awa and they said no it was no longer covered. They said that the last solenoid was only covered for 20,000 km. Had they detected the problem back in may when we brought it in and had they written down the correct mileage then it would have been covered under warranty. Since we did not really feel that the solenoid ( and really didn't want to pay $1000 for fixing it and then finding out that there might be another problem) was the problem, since we had already had that replaced once we considered taking it to a guy that used to work at Ford. (his wife drives a Contour) he checked the car for surges. Scan tested it tried various computer parts rechecked valve. Etc, , but it all proved negative.

- Tillsonburg, UN, USA

Consumer states that while driving the engine light comes on and will stay on the remainder of the time vehicle is in motion. Dealer notified, oxygen sensor was replaced by a different technician which seems to have corrected the problem.

- Malone, WI, USA

While driving noticed a fire on right side of vehicle in cooling fan. Car was totaled.

- Lockesburg, AR, USA

Check engine light illuminated on two occasions, vehicle experienced an oil leak and an overheating problem, the cooling fan makes loud noises.

- Long Beach , CA, USA

Temperature gauge constantly runs on high, consumer never knows if vehicle is overheating or not.

- Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

Temperature gauge failed.

- Oakville, Ontario, CD, USA

Temperature gauge reads in very high normal range under normal driving conditions; car comes very close to overheating. Have I missed a recall notice on this problem?

- Concord, NC, USA

Temperature gauge goes all the way to the red area. When car overheats it loses power. Since consumer purchased the car she had nothing but problems and recall notices.

- Glendale, CA, USA

Temperature gauge failed.

- Oakville, Ontario, CD, USA