MYRModel Year Report

1998 Ford Contour

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Ford Contour
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
846
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1995: 893 complaints 1995 1996: 563 complaints 1997: 218 complaints 1998: 846 complaints 1998 846 1999: 419 complaints 2000: 199 complaints 2001: 4 complaints 2001
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 893 complaints 1995 1996: 563 complaints 1996 1997: 218 complaints 1997 1998: 846 complaints 1998 846 1999: 419 complaints 1999 2000: 199 complaints 2000 2001: 4 complaints 2001
1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 12 complaints 1994 1995: 893 complaints 1995 1996: 563 complaints 1996 1997: 218 complaints 1997 1998: 846 complaints 1998 846 1999: 419 complaints 1999 2000: 199 complaints 2000 2001: 4 complaints 2001

1998: 846 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19933
199412
1995893
1996563
1997218
1998846
1999419
2000199
20014

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

17% · 143 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving noticed a fire on right side of vehicle in cooling fan. Car was totaled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-10

Power train

16% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.

CRASH
Show 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, 2018-11-22

Also filed under Electrical system and service brakes

Electrical system

16% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2013-08-12

Also filed under Engine

Suspension

13% · 107 reports

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, 2024-02-08

Air bags

12% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was involved in an accident and the air bags failed to deploy, the driver was injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-25

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, 1997-12-12

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 846 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-01-27SQClosed 1998-07-31 Fuel gauge does not read below 1/4
  3. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 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…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-11-20Power train98V233000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1999-07-16Exterior lighting99V103000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    1999-08-17Vehicle speed control99V194000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1999-09-15Recall queryClosed 2001-03-07 Various intermittent electrical issues
  8. R
    1999-09-27Air bags99V243000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2000-06-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-01-05 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
  10. I
    2000-07-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-10-04 Fuel expulsion during refueling
  11. I
    2000-10-04Engineering analysisClosed 2001-01-25 Fuel expulsion during refueling
  12. R
    2000-10-11Service brakes, hydraulic00V075000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2000-11-30Fuel system, other00V350000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2001-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2001-07-31 Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
  15. R
    2001-08-29Electrical system01V230000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2001-09-19Suspension01I013000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2001-10-23Suspension01V255000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. I
    2002-02-26Recall queryClosed 2002-09-12 Incorrect gear indication
  19. R
    2006-03-20Service brakes, hydraulic06E022000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Ford Contour — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 143 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 137 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 137 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V233000 · Power train
  • Recall 99V103000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 99V194000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 99V243000 · Air bags
  • Recall 00V075000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 00V350000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 01V230000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 01I013000 · Suspension
  • Recall 01V255000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E022000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.