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1998 Ford Contour

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Contour years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Contour are substantially higher than the model-year median of 218.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 161 of 846 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

99 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Air Bags

I NEED TO FIND OUT INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V243000 ON THE AIRBAG SENSORS. THE WEBSITE STATES THAT "VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED" CURRENTLY, THE DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL THIS MONITOR AS PART OF THE RECALL SAYING THAT THEIR INFO DOES …

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I NEED TO FIND OUT INFORMATION REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V243000 ON THE AIRBAG SENSORS. THE WEBSITE STATES THAT "VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED" CURRENTLY, THE DEALER REFUSES TO INSTALL THIS MONITOR AS PART OF THE RECALL SAYING THAT THEIR INFO DOES NOT COVER IT. THEY WANT US TO REPLACE IT AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF 200 DOLLARS PLUS LABOR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME SORT OF DOCUMENTATION SENT TO ME TO FIND OUT IF THE INFO ON THE WEBSITE IS CORRECT. IF IT IS CORRECT, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE DEALER WITH SOME SORT OF DOCUMENTATION, RECALL NUMBER, ETC. ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME IN RESOLVING THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #731177

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, AirTires

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JUNE 98 AND BEFORE LEAVING THE LOT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES DUE TO DEFECTS. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEREFORE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES IN FEB 2000. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TREAD SEPERATION AND EXTENSIVE …

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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JUNE 98 AND BEFORE LEAVING THE LOT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES DUE TO DEFECTS. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEREFORE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES IN FEB 2000. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TREAD SEPERATION AND EXTENSIVE WEAR. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BAD AND THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE TIRES AND BRAKE JOB COST 481.93. NOW I HAD 2 FLAT TIRES ON THE SAME TIRE WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND NOW THE BACK BRAKES NEED REPLACING. I FEEL THAT THESE REPAIRS ARE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO FORD FOR AT LEAST 6 MANUFACTURER RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE CAR SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND REPLACED BUT IT STILL COMES ON ALL THE TIME. FROM MY RESAERCH ON THIS COMPONENT THIS COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO ENGAGE WITHOUT CAUSE. BETWEEN THE RECALLS, TIRE, AND THE BRAKES THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY UNSAFE VECHILE. I WAS THINKING THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE NORMAL BUT AFTER HAVING ALL THESE RECALLS AND NOW THE RECALL ON SOME OF FIRESTONE TIRES I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD WITH MY CAR.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20560R15 )

NHTSA ODI #728425

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS DONE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HAD TO RESCHEDULE. THE LAST TWO RECALLS I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE DONE WHEN SCHEDULE. THE AI…

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HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS DONE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HAD TO RESCHEDULE. THE LAST TWO RECALLS I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE DONE WHEN SCHEDULE. THE AIR BAG AND THE BRAKES WERE THE LAST TWO. I SCHEDULED THEM FINALLY IN APRIL THIS YEAR. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I EXPRESSED AGAIN HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO COME IN BECAUSE I WORK 5-6 DAYS A WEEK. AGAIN I RESCHEDULED FOR JULY. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT VERIFIED THE PARTS WERE THERE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. AGAIN LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. IT SEEMS TO BE THESE RECALLS ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. I ALSO ASKED WHY MY BRAKES SCRUBBED WHEN I STOPPED, THEY COMMENT WAS WE COULDN'T GET IT TOO. MY POINT IS IT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FORD PLACE CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME OR MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #725987

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2000
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT AN IMPACT OF 45-50 MPH, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND URGED CONSUMER TO CALL NHTSA. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #864495

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER, WEB SITE ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO OBTAIN REPAIRS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552664

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Air Bags

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED HAS A SPLIT IN IT. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIX IT SO THAT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862277

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Air Bags

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX AIRBAG MONITOR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862119

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Air BagsExterior LightingPower Train

CONSUMER IS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE NUMBER OF RECALLS (6) THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE AND FEELS THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON. NLM

NHTSA ODI #552294

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #552024

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Air Bags

RECALL # 99V243000 INTERIOR SYSTEMS: PASSIVE RESTRAINT: AIR BAG: AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860326

Official recalls

9

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

7

RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication

Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling

Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling

Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues

Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

There is no summary currently available

SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4

Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.