Automatic Transmission problems of the 1998 Ford Contour - part 1

Was on i65 was driving fine hird a loud explosion engine started to rev up a piece of the transmission casing went into my tire causing a blow out, car became out of control and hit gaurdrail.

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.

My husband and I purchased a used 1998 Ford Contour, upon inspection, we found that the transmission was shot. So we decided to do a little research on this vehicle and found that there a recall on this particular vehicle for transmissions problem. Saying that the shift may not put into the correct gear which can or will cause transmission problems. In which are having.

Ford Contour transmission bucks and surges upon initial acceleration. Does not seem to stay in gear based upon the bucking motion. Ford technician inspected it and stated that the engine and transmission have weak mounts that affect proper operation. He suggested replacement of the mounts, although upon visual inspection, the mounts looked normal.

My daughter drove my 1998 6 cyl Contour automatic on route 95 from stoneham to wakefield, MA (one highway exit). The car was behaving normally and had behaved normally until that point. A servo cover fell off of the transmission. That allowed all of the transmission fluid to pour out of the transmission in seconds. The servo cover, a three inch diameter piece of heavy metal shaped like a frisbee, nearly hit a motor cyclist. The car coasted to a stop near 128 Ford of wakefield, MA. Their service writer, ludlow, told me that this is a relatively common occurrence with the Ford Contour. That opinion was reinforced by two employees of fna transmission repair of wakefield. I called Ford. I was told that they have no knowledge of this ever happening to a Contour. I asked the customer service rep to file a report, and I told him that I would as well. I am concerned that this defect exists and is a serious hazard to motorcyclists (I am one. ) I am worried that the rapid loss of transmission fluid usually leads to serious transmission damage.

Transmission began to downshift (3->2) hard recently, and I brought it to an automatic transmission specialist who performed several tests and gave it a clean bill of health. ~5,000 mi later while gently slowing to turn left from a major street, it felt as though I had run over some walnut shells. As I began to ease open the throttle to complete the turn, the engine bogged and the car lurched, making some crunching sounds. I coasted to a stop on the side of the road, but the car would not move under its own power or by pushing by hand. Local transmission shops have said the cd4e transmission is notorious for early failure, and that I was lucky to get 102,000 miles from it because many fail by 40,000 miles. They have quoted me repair prices ranging from $1500 to $3500. I am very grateful this failure did not happen while either on the freeway or on a curvy road, as an axle lockup like this would be very dangerous.

My 1998 Ford Contour se has problems with the trunk leaking. Ever since I bought the car the trunk leaks slowly. I find huge wet spots in the carpet in my trunk. Also the vehicle has a problem with the transmission. When you drive the vehicle the transmission gets caught and hesitates to shift.

Automatic transmission hard shift from 1-2.

I purchased the car on October 1, 2004. I was driving the car for about 10 minutes on the freeway I slowed down due to traffic. When I started to take off I felt a jerk when the transmission shifted. My check engine light came on. When I turn off my car and restart it, it does not jerk when it shifts, unless I continue to drive about 10 miles, then it does it again.

I was leaving work and discovered that my car now only goes in reverse-I have not had any problems with the transmission up to this point when from out of no where it just stopped working. The automotive shop tells me I have to go to a dealer to get a new transmission put in all costing more than the car is probably worth. Ford needs to recall this part-they're obviously having problems with it that are not "rare" or "unusual" for this transmission.

Vehicle intermittently jerks when shifting, sometime very violently. Vehicle has also stalled when negotiating a turn in an intersection. Vibrates often at low speeds (30 mph), as though it's in too high of a gear for the terrain. Check engine light on intermittently, usually for several days then goes off for a few days before coming back on again. I've gotten two estimates for the repair, both in the neighborhood of $2,500 for a rebuild of my transmission or installation of a re-manufactured transmission. Recently had to have coolant sensor and fuel pressure regulator replaced as a result of regularly occurring check engine light.

Replaced timing belt and idler pulley 3 months ago and now the gears are sounding like they are going out again. Mr.

While traveling on highway vehicle was making a loud noise which was coming from underneath the hood. Consumer was able to pull over to the shoulders, and vehicle was in drive. Vehicle started rolling in reverse.

I know a couple of people who have had experienced the same problems with their Contours as I have. I bought this car through a private party and took out an extended warranty through my credit union. The transmission was covered but the signals and the shifter lever was not costing me hundreds of dollars. How many complaints does it take until the manufacturer is forced to recall the parts. I read the comments on the transmissions and it is amazing that everyone is experiencing the same thing, it goes out without warning.

I believe this is a premature failure of a major component of the vehicle. No safety defect listed.

This vehicle has been a "lemon" since purchased new in August, 1997 from sam galloway Ford in fort myers, florida. From the beginning, the car drove "rough" not smooth. The vehicle constantly was vibrating, and simply got worse over time. The vibrations would occur at speeds as low as about 40 miles per hour, increasing the faster you drove. You could actually feel and see your body shake. The ride was the total opposite of a smooth one. Rough and bumpy, even on smooth, florida roads. The vehicle felt like you were "pushing" or "forcing" it to drive. The gear shift has always been difficult to manuver, generally sticking while trying to change gears. A couple of times, this nearly caused an accident, due to the inability to change gears. When reported to Ford, the only response that that "per the manual, the transmission needed some type of overhaul, at a cost of about $500. Also, several times, there was smoke and a burning rubber type smell emitting from the air vents. This was brought into Ford several times, and not fixed. The final time, the entire car filled with smoke--I called the service manager, marlon hanson, from the vehicle on my cell phone, because I was scared that the car may burst into flames. His remarks made it sound like "no big deal" just bring in the car. Meanwhile, I had to pull over, I was so scared, not knowing if the vehicle was going to start on fire or even blow up. This vehicle was brought in twice more for this repair, and finally appears to be fixed. We were told that it was some wiring that was burning, or starting on fire. Our only compensation for that was a free rental car, after I pressured the service manager. The cassette portion of the radio broke early on. Never addressed that issue with dealer or Ford. Steering column is increasingly difficult to manuever-very hard to turn. Airbag warning light intermittendly comes on, at any speed. Tires have been replaced, but newer tire keeps deflating--per tbs, coil spring problem?*a.

While driving at about 5mph and making a right turn right front wheel came off due to loose lugs: nuts. Dealer has seen vehicle. Consumer states the vehicle has experienced problems with the following: fuel filter, spark plugs, transmission, cv boot, brakes, air filter, wire, rotors need turning, timing gear, timing belt, and vehicle will not start.

Failure of cd4e transmission requiring re-build.

I mentioned to the dealership where I purchased my car that when I test drove it, it just seemed to jerk when it would shift. Ken schuck assured me that there was not anything wrong with the car. It did come with a wpc assoc. Limited warranty though if anything would happen it would be covered. Well, my car continued to automatically shift hard and I was allowed to take it to aamco in wmspt. Pa. This was a month ago. They looked at it and said there was nothing wrong with my car. I continued to drive it up until 4 weeks ago and on my way to work "the transmission went. " I contacted ken and told him what happened and he said to call the warranty CO. And take it to a dealership. Which I did and 4 weeks to this day, they still have it and it's still not repaired! that's at farfield Ford PA. 570-368-8121. So, between ken, wpc warranty and farfield, I'm not getting my car fixed. Please help me. I know there is recall work that needs done also. Please help me.

Engine check light stayed on the dashboard constantly. Vehicle will not move beyond 30 mph in first gear. Then when vehicle is in second gear it goes up to 70mph.

Vehicle jumped into reverse inadvertendly while in park, resulting in a collision. Manfuacturer and dealer have been notified.

When trying to shift gear from first to second, consumer is unable to shift. Has to focus on the pawl, make sure of the right gear, then focus on the road. Transmission hangs up going into second gear.

When I put the car in reverse it takes a long time to backup.

Complete failure of transmission. I applied for the po7 program for loyal customers and was denied. I have $500,000. 00 in Ford products in service and have been purchasing Ford products since 1970 for our second generation family business. What is a loyal customer to Ford motor company?.

Reporting problem with vehicle transmssion; whenever shift indicator is engaged in any other gear, consumer can hear a crunching /clicking sound. Dealer notified. Can NHTSA provide information on this matter on normal wear at this milages at 51,000 .

While driving at 60 mph withou prior warning transmission blew out and the consumer was able to coast to the side of the road.

Automatic transmission malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to drop in the gears which may cause a rear end collision. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem.

The car hesitates and jumps in and out at high speeds. When the overdrive is off the car doesn't do it. I've had it to autonation three times and they say there's nothing wrong with the car. Thank you peter stoa.

Automatic transmission shifts harshly on upshifts. Nlm.

This is the second cd4e transmission we have had that failed at approximately the same mileage. The first was a 1995 Mazda 626, serial# 11yvge22c6s5374843. In both cases the transmission had a complete failure due to an inadequate supply of transmission oil caused by the computer system's failure to maintain an adequate supply of transmission oil to the system. Bothe Ford and Mazda were contacted by phone about the problems and both companies stated that they stand by their warranty and would not provide any assistance with repairs, due to the fact that the car's warranty had expired and we did not purchase any extended warranty. If just seems odd that two cars with the same transmission should, with approximately the same mileage, suddenly require a new transmission. I admit that I put more than the average miles on a car in a given year, however the miles are mainly highway/interstate miles at a cruising speed, generally with the cruise control on, a manner of driving that does not cause the transmission to have to shift as in stop and go traffic. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Owner took vehicle to dealer after receiving recall notice #98v233000. Dealer had checked vehicle & could not shift lever. Informed owner parts not available. Would need to order parts.

After noticing a whining sound at approximately 30 mph in second gear and an increase in vibration when the air conditioner was on, the transmission was rebuilt on 10/10/98, on 8/3/2000 the transmission was replaced because of sudden and violent slipping, on 8/28/00 check engine light came on because oxygen sensor had been disconnected while transmission was replaced, sensor reconnected/replaced. Cj.

Gears are not shifting properly, and there is a delay when trying to shift.

At 10,000 miles the transmission has totally malfunctioned cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Transmission has a defect, there is a slip when you applying gears. Also, brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor, and grabs a little bit. Dealership is aware of problem. Brakes have failed, on one occasion consumer almost hit a child, brake pedal slips from under foot. Emergency brake is only effective 50 percent of the time. Transmission intermittently changes gears roughly, at times jarring occupants in the vehicle. Possible electrical problem: light of the clock has burned out twice, consumer states there are shorts in the dashboard, causing the heater or a/c to only have one speed working, dome lights work intermittently, light under dash works intermittently, warning bell does not chime all the times it should, consumer states a sensor causes heater to act as the ac and vice versa. Hinges not made properly, causing door movement while opening/closing, does not stop when it should. Seat blet retarction does not have enough elast, causing it not to retract properly, has gotten caught in the door jam. Alarm system has failed. Wheel cover cracked when a tire was being changed and another one fell off, consumer was not aware of the time or place it fell off.