22 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1996 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Wiring to cooling system melted. Also, each time consumer takes vehicle to dealer she is told that nothing is wrong with vehicle.
Mr.
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.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Water pump failure @ 78000 miles - report early failure.
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.
Asked dealership to perform recall 00v-367000 and they said Ford has no such recall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Contours 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.
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?.
Engine ran out of coolant fluids. Dealership was aware of problrm.
Engine check light is on and there is a burning smell within the vehicle. Also, all the lights on the dashboard aren't working, and the water pump had to be replaced.
Engine overheated with no warning left us stranded in memphis, TN in ice storm, ruined engine. Had to replace engine, dealership could not tell us why this happened. The engine contained water and oil at the time.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
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.
When the water pump failed th head gasket also failed . And possibly a cracked cylinder head.
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.
While driving at highway speeds the frost plug released, causing anti- freeze to spill and vehicle to stall out and die. There was not indication that the engine was overheating. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Consumer was driving and engine overheated without prior warning. Vehicle was blowing out blue smoke and making clunknig noises.