20th Aug 2001, 16:41
Piece of do do!
I have had a new tranny, warped rotors, EGR, IAC, batteries die out before their time and a host of other problems.
I think it's time to put this car with only 73,000 out to pasture while I still can.
Ford should be penalized severly for putting this garbage on the road for consumers to buy!
7th Jan 2002, 14:18
Tons of recalls.
Oxygen sensor replaced.
Electrical problems with brake lights.
Noisy rattles..
Not safe feeling.
But a good thing is it's great on gas.
1st Mar 2002, 15:56
The transmission needs complete replacement at only 70,000 miles.
Oxygen sensor of course (but for the fourth time, come on)
Major front end noise but only while turning to the left.
Numerous recalls.
Not the best service departments at the Ford Dealers.
If they know that they have an inferior product, when will I get some money back!
19th Aug 2002, 17:22
The "Check Engine" light on my 95 Contour keeps lighting up, but the mechanics can't find the source. I took it to Auto Zone for a free diagnostics and the code pointed out to the EGR valve. I read that you can clean this part by yourself. Does anybody have a clue where this EGR valve is located?
17th Sep 2002, 18:10
Check mass air flow sensor. that went bad on my daughters 95 contour. had it replaced by Ford dealer solved check engine light and had lots more pick up as well.
16th Oct 2002, 12:41
EGR VALVE
I had the same problem. Took my 95 Contour SE to Autozone, and they said it was the EGR valve, so I bought the part for 50$. Beware though, before you buy the part, I'd just take it to a shop. This one shop told me it could be a number of things in the EGR area (like a sensor or a tube). Most shops run their own test for about 30$, and they'll be sure that's what's wrong. They pulled my EGR valve off, found everything clogged with carbon, cleaned the valve and the port house, and said the valve is OK, but it needs a no. 1 oxygen sensor for 67$ + labor. He charged 60$ for 2 hours labor. It helped, but light still comes on. The EGR valve is on the top middle of the engine.
15th Dec 2002, 00:32
1998 Ford Contour is a nightmare.
I have had it in the shop several times just in the past month, because the engine light keeps coming on.
Engine light came on: transmission was replaced.
Engine light came on: processor needed update.
Engine light came on: sensor needed replaced.
Engine light is on again... it's in the shop now.
It still has the SAME problem. I am thinking next they will replace the torque converter.
Other problems were:
Front springs broke.
Needed to replace thermostat.
Battery dies out before it's time.
I still have three years to pay for the car! SIGH!
4th Jan 2003, 06:52
I bought one for my child. Looks great sitting in driveway. That's about it. Everything that could break has. The only and last ford I will ever own. Buying this car for my child was the worst thing I could have ever done. VERY UNSAFE. I should of just hired a hit man.
28th Apr 2003, 07:53
My 1998 Ford Contour V6 had the Catalytic converter clog up. Apparently this strains other components of the engine. Due to the clogging, a hose popped off and the car ran very rough (almost as if there was an exhaust leak). My temporary fix was to hollow out the catalytic (the V6 has three...), but to pass local emmisions, a replacement is necessary. Since this catalytic is on the manifold, the labour costs are very high...
I have 100,000 miles on the car, and really can't complain. Sure there are a number of recalls, but better they find the problem than I...
2nd Jul 2004, 19:20
I have a 1995 Ford Contour. I bought it in 1996 with only 17,000 miles on it. Until recently, I was driving it everyday. It has 206,507 miles on it. It has been the best car I've had for the cost. I was still getting 30+ mpg still even with the high mileage. I didn't have any burning oil, oil was still clean at oil changes. I only did basic maintenance on it. I only put out about $600- dollars for repairs in the 8 yrs driving it. Most of that was diagnostics cost though, not parts. All in all, I wish I could find a refurbished transmission for it so I can change it out and continue to drive it. It beats the Dodge, GM and Chevy products I've had over the years!!!
6th Jul 2004, 08:36
I own a 1995 Ford Contour. I have a horrible noise coming from the front end. My father has fixed the brakes and now it needs a new spring on the left side. Most people feel unsafe because of the sound my care makes. Ford should take more pride in making vehicle's for people safety should be first.
31st Mar 2005, 09:39
1995 Ford Contour, 80k miles: The list of things wrong with this vehicle are too numerous to list. The majors:
Bad oxygen sensors, both, twice.
Ignition module, replaced.
Catalytic converter, replaced, twice.
Water pump, replaced, twice.
Power steering pump, replaced.
Thermostat, replaced, four times in 5 years.
Blower motor (ac/heat), replaced.
Trunk seal, leaking like a sieve.
On top of that, I am pretty sure the transmission is about to go.
I'm just about to head out to buy a new set of plugs and wires for the second time in 2 years. If I didn't need the thing, I would just spend ten bucks on gasoline and burn it down to the frame.
14th May 2005, 15:53
I just bought a 95 Ford Contour.
I haven't even got to drive it yet, as right after I bought it, the tranny went out.
But I do think it is a nice car, great looking. Can't really say if it's a piece of crap till I drive it.
I also had to do the brakes.
My check engine light was on, but we fixed that (EGR valve), but I am told that it is great on gas, which is great, because of these gas prices.
26th Jun 2006, 10:21
I own a 99 ford contour... And I advise any1 Don't BUY ONE the check engine lite is on and a mechanic told me to take it to the dealership... We all know what that means $$$$$$$$$$$$$...I'm so upset, but when its operating rite it runs great... So buyers beware.
18th Feb 2009, 08:40
I had my 95 Ford Contour for almost 10 months and I had to get a leak in the coolant line fixed.
My transmission leak was fixed, a crack in the exhaust system was fixed, and a new muffler!
The whole time I drove the car the front dashboard would shake.
It would use up a lot of engine oil. My engine was always hot and the check engine light would flicker on and off.
Now I'm catching the bus because the car completely stopped running one week after I got the new muffler!
I tried to trade it in while it was running, but it wasn't worth much to dealers.
21st Jul 2001, 17:26
I have had several problems with my 1998 Ford Contour GL. I have had to have the catalytic converter replaced, a belt in the transmission broke, my solenoid went out and caused my spark-plugs to go bad and caused my cam motor to go out. This cost $1500 to repair. This car has had several recalls. I have had several other problems. Right now I'm looking to trade it in and buy a different car.