Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Auto shifter recall

Has anyone else had the following problem and been rejected by Ford even though vehicle was built within the time frame
of assembly (1994-1998) covering model years 95-98..
My 95 was built in March '95

from Transport Canda site, NHTSA has the same campaign # 98S26 ::


Make: FORD
Model: CONTOUR
Affected Year(s): 1995 1996 1997 1998
Units Affected: 19492
TC Recall #: 1998208
Manufacturer:
Campaign Code: 98S26

Recall Details
THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MAY BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED
TO CERTAIN VEHICLE INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. IF EXPOSED TO THESE PRODUCTS,
THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR MAY DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY
INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFTER WILL CONTINUE
TO OPERATE NORMALLY, BUT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR INCORRECT GEAR
SELECTION. CORRECTION: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WILL BE
REPLACED

I have this exact problem and I was ALSO told by Ford that no recall was applicable to my 95 Mystique. I have not dug out the old paperwork from the previous owner to see if the recall had already been done. But when Ford looked up my VIN, they told me there were no recalls applicable.

I haven't yet forgotten which gear I was in after downshifting/upshifting, but if I have dropped to second and then put it back to drive, I have to push on the shift selector thing until the red stripe moves from 2 up to D

There was not a recall on this matter that I know of, just a TSB(Technical Service Bulletin). Ford will fix TSB related problems at no cost but only if you are still under the original factory warranty. I had that problem and had fixed while under the factory warranty. However, even recalls usually have time or mileage limitations.

I can't see what gear I am in....I changed my shifter got a shift boot and got rid of the shift indicator.

Its a recall.Campaign # 98S26 which is not a TSB..check out the NHTSA site.

I had this recall performed on my 98.5 SE Sport.
All they did was replace the shift indicator plate.

Ford got back to Transport Canada (= NHTSA in USA)who sent me a note to the effect Ford indicated that the GL models were only affected and not the LX models. Were the ATX shifters actually different in apperarance and size ?
When all was said and done, I wonder why Ford Customer service did not tell me about the difference instead of beating around the bush.

Same thing happened to my on my 95 GL. Ford wouldn't fix it. They said they couldn't find any record of it. I took a copy of the NHTSA documents to them, but they still wouldn't fix it.