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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

Power Train complaints

128 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Power Train

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO ROBKE FORD NUMEROUS TIMES TO TRY AND FIND WHAT THE GRINDING NOISE IS WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT I NEED A NEW AXLE AND AXLE BEARINGS. I AM TRYING TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY MANUFACTURE RECALLS/DEFECTS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A CAR DO…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO ROBKE FORD NUMEROUS TIMES TO TRY AND FIND WHAT THE GRINDING NOISE IS WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT I NEED A NEW AXLE AND AXLE BEARINGS. I AM TRYING TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY MANUFACTURE RECALLS/DEFECTS. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES A CAR DOES NOT NEED AN AXLE WITH THE LOW MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN TURNING THE CAR MAINLY TO THE RIGHT THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD (PEOPLE STARE). I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND MYSELF WHILE DRIVING. I'VE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED AND I'VE GOTTEN NO WHERE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS 670.00, AND I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS. SINCE I DON'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD PAY FOR THIS) THEY WON'T LOOK INTO THIS MATTER FOR ME. I WAS TOLD TO BRING PROOF INTO THE DEALERSHIP OF ALL REGULAR OIL CHANGES TO PROVE THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR CORRECTLY. PLEASE HELP ME IN WHAT STEPS I SHOULD BE TAKEN TO GET THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT/KILLED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, DAWN KENNEDY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744480

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Power Train

THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO 5 RECALLS (98S26, 99S14, 99S19, 99S23 AND 00S03), THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CAR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #560479

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Power Train

GEARS ARE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, AND THERE IS A DELAY WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #882863

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

FIRST DAY CAR WAS BOUGHT ENGINE DIED, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER CONTOUR. CURRENTLY, VEHCILE WILL SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE WAS ACTING UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IT JERKS AND VIBRATES, CONSUMER DOES …

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FIRST DAY CAR WAS BOUGHT ENGINE DIED, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY GAVE CONSUMER ANOTHER CONTOUR. CURRENTLY, VEHCILE WILL SHUT OFF IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE WAS ACTING UP. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, IT JERKS AND VIBRATES, CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION LIKE THEY SAID. 1 TIME FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. FRONT SWAY BAR REPLACED, STEERING WOULD SHIMMY AND RATTLE. BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, DUE TO RATTLING NOISE IN AIR CONDITIONER, ALSO CYCLING SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING. LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BELT WOULD NOT BUCKLE. STARTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT ACT. REAR STRUTS REPLACED, NOISY. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #882762

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Power Train

WHEN SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN REVERSE VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR ITSELF. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881940

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND WARRANTY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #559494

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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 DISCO…

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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

NHTSA ODI #559301

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2000
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOR GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR. AFTER REPAIRS OF VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE FIRST REPAIRED, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #875394

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Power Train

SAFETY FEATURE ON VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED (FLOOR) WITHOUT PRESSING BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL. EVEN IF VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED OR STARTED CAN SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT SOLENOID HAD BROKEN, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY OF SAFETY RELATED ISSUES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #874986

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. COST IS 1,500 TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY RELATED PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH FORDS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #735897

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.