1998 Ford Contour
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 893 |
| 1996 | 563 |
| 1997 | 218 |
| 1998 | 846 |
| 1999 | 419 |
| 2000 | 199 |
| 2001 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 143 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING NOTICED A FIRE ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE IN COOLING FAN. CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20020910
16% of complaints: power train — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WAS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 322 ON DAY AND HAD TO HIT THE BREAK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED MY BREAK FLUID RESIVOUR AND IT WAS EMPTY. I THINK THE PASSENGER SIDE DRUM BREAK IS LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181122
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES
16% of complaints: electrical system — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and interior/under dash.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 FORD CONTOUR AND THE ENGINE HARNESS WIRE OVERHEATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND I WAS UNAWARE UNTIL I HAD TO CHANGE MY RADIATOR DUE TO A LEAK AND THE HARNESS WIRE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130812
Also filed under ENGINE
13% of complaints: suspension — 107 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle won't pass inspection due to a Broken or cracked coil spring front passenger side. It was in a recall that we never received notification. And I don't feel like we should be out over $200 to get it licensed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240208
12% of complaints: air bags — 100 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030325
AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT, HIT THE BRAKES AND CAR DID NOT STOP IN TIME, RAN INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 19971212
SAFETY TIMELINE
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4
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 REQUIR
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed
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 DETERIORAT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
Campaign 98V233000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
Campaign 99V103000 — check if this car was fixed
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 I
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
Campaign 99V194000 — check if this car was fixed
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
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 COMBI
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.
Campaign 99V243000 — check if this car was fixed
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
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
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.
Campaign 00V075000 — check if this car was fixed
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,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
Campaign 00V350000 — check if this car was fixed
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
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 RO
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 S
Campaign 01V230000 — check if this car was fixed
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998 FORD CONTOUR/MERCURY MYSTIQUE PASSENGER V
Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF A VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
Campaign 01I013000 — check if this car was fixed
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,
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
Campaign 01V255000 — check if this car was fixed
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAN
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WIT
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Ford Contour — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (143 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (137 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (137 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V233000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V103000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V194000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V243000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V075000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V350000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V230000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I013000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01V255000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Ford Contour reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Contour is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Contour?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Contour have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.