NHTSA Complaint #10116231 — 1999 FORD CONTOUR

1999 FORD CONTOUR, CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON, CAR JERKING/STALLING, TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, THEN HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DELAERSHIP (KEY SCALES FORD, LESSBURG, FLORIDA), THEY KEPT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, CHARGED OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE AN ADDITIONAL $165 TO REPLECE SPARK PLUGS (SERVICE DECLINED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED BY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $50), "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STILL ON, CAR STILL JERKING/STALLING. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR OUT OF IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGESTED POSSIBLY CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM BUT SAID IT COULD NOT EVEN BE TESTED BECAUSE OF THE POSITION OF THE CONVERTER IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MANIFOLD AND IS INACCESSIBLE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPLIED TO EMAIL REQUESTING ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION.*AK