no report yet
Springs: coil springs
Risk. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
1998 Ford ContourProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 846 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 8, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Ford Contour has problems
846 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
132Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
130Electrical system15 crash/fire/injury
128Power train3 crash/fire/injury
102Suspension
99Air bags25 crash/fire/injury
83Service brakes, hydraulic4 crash/fire/injury
62Fuel system, gasoline
43Visibility
43Exterior lighting
23820 other systems31 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 132 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 130 | 15 |
| Power train | 128 | 3 |
| Suspension | 102 | 0 |
| Air bags | 99 | 25 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 83 | 4 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 62 | 2 |
| Visibility | 43 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 43 | 0 |
| 20 other systems | 238 | 31 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
1998 Ford Contour recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK.
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Risk. 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.
Show 5 more recalls
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
no report yet
Headlights: switch
Risk. THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
no report yet
Lever and linkage: floor shift
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
71kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 21 engine and engine cooling complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 19% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
2under 30k miles19under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other Contour year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Contour median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Ford Contour safety ratings
1998 Ford Contour 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Ford Contour, and the recalls they led to.
- FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELINGNo recall
- BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSLed to recall 01I009000
- BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSNo recall
- FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELINGNo recall
- INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONLed to recall 98V-233
- VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESLed to recall 99V-243
- FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4No recall
In owners' words
What Contour owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. HE DID NOT KNOW THE BOLTS WERE MISSING AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD HAVE THEM ORDERED.…
ORIGINAL START DATE 1-12-07. TIMING BELT SHREDDED. HAD SHOP FIX THE PROBLEM. 4-2-07 BELT BROKE AGAIN REPLACED AGAIN. 10-18-07 TIMING BELT BROKE AGAIN. SHOP DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE AGAIN SAID IT IS DEALER PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS SHOP PROBLEM. SHOP SAYS IT WILL FIX ON 11-2-07. SHOP FINALLY FIXES ON…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRES TO TOUCH, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANY LONGER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE…
Own a 1998 Contour?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.