Home › Ford › Contour › 1998
1998 Ford Contour: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 846 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Ford Contour[1], and the model year has 9 recalls[2]. The engine, electrical system and power train draw the most complaints, so those are the places to look first[3][4][5].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 846 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 50 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 50 injuries and 4 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine[3] | 135 | 71,500 |
| Electrical system[4] | 130 | 85,000 |
| Power train[5] | 128 | 80,000 |
| Suspension[7] | 102 | 79,405 |
| Air bags[8] | 99 | 89,714 |
| Brakes[9] | 91 | 98,505 |
We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. The themes below come from that sample only and say nothing about all owners.
- Engine. In a sample of 11 different texts, 8 describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving[3]. Two of them link it to rain or puddles, and some owners say the dealer saw the car several times without finding a cause[3].
- Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 3 describe smoke, melting or a fire in the dash area[4]. Others describe lights that fail or a horn that does not work[4]. Electrical complaints include 13 that mention a fire, the most of the component groups listed on this page[4]. The engine group has 5[3].
- Power train. In a sample of 11 texts, 7 are about the shift lever recall, with owners saying the dealer did not have parts or that parts were delayed[5][10].
- Suspension. In a sample of 11 texts, 6 describe front end noise, vibration or alignment trouble[7].
Air bag complaints stand out for injuries. Of 99 complaints, 24 mention a crash and 24 an injury[8]. The brake group has 91 complaints, with 4 crashes and 3 injuries[9]. We did not read complaint texts for these two groups.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Front coil springs (01V255). Filed 2001-08-08[11]. Front coil springs can break from corrosion in places with heavy road salt, and a broken spring can touch a front tire. Some tires have gone flat that way. The fix is spring catcher brackets installed by a dealer. It covers cars built at one assembly plant and sold or registered in certain states[11].
- Heater blower resistor (01V230). Filed 2001-07-09[12]. A rough part can damage the wiring connector, which can lead to arcing, a melted connector and a possible fire. Dealers install a new resistor and a new wire jumper harness[12].
- Bi-fuel tank grommet (00V350). Filed 2000-10-30[13]. This covers bi-fuel vehicles only. A fuel filler pipe grommet may have been damaged during installation of the bi-fuel system. Fuel could leak and catch fire. Dealers replace the grommet[13].
- Rear brake valves (00V075). Filed 2000-03-09[14]. This covers cars without ABS. Salt can corrode a rear brake valve. If both fail, the rear wheels can lock under braking, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers install improved valves. The recall was expanded in September 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 models[14].
- Air bag sensor wiring (99V243). Filed 1999-09-08[15]. Wiring insulation near the radiator can crack. The air bag warning light can come on and the air bag system can be disabled. Dealers install sensors with revised wiring insulation, and a new diagnostic monitor if the warning light is on[15].
- Accelerator cable (99V194). Filed 1999-07-20[16]. A burr in the cable sleeve can fray the cable, so the throttle may stick or the engine may run at high rpm. Dealers install a revised cable[16].
- Headlight switch (99V103). Filed 1999-05-05[17]. The switch terminals can overheat, which can cut power to the instrument panel lights, parking lamps and tail lamps. Dealers install a connector with bronze terminals and inspect the switch, replacing it if needed[17].
- Floor shift control (98V233). Filed 1998-09-18[10]. Some interior cleaning products can damage the automatic transmission floor shift control. The gear indicator can then show the wrong gear, which can lead to selecting the wrong gear. Dealers replace the control[10].
- Headlamp aiming instructions (98V028). Filed 1998-02-10[18]. The instructions in the owner guide were not clear enough. Owners who replace headlamp assemblies could aim them wrongly. Revised guides were to be mailed to owners[18].
The facts we hold do not say how many cars have had each repair done.
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions. All are front-wheel drive and use regular gas.
| Engine and transmission | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[19] | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[6] | 21 / 32 / 25 | $2,700 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[20] | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[21] | 17 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
The EPA cost figures use the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. The 4-cylinder versions use less fuel than the 6-cylinder versions in every column[19][6][20][21].
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists the 4-door as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[22]. That means there is no star score to compare with other cars.
Engine and size
EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder and a 2.5L 6-cylinder[19][20]. Our data has no horsepower figures for this car. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 1998 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
Here are the complaints and recalls NHTSA has on file for each Contour model year[2]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 891 | 8 |
| 1996 | 563 | 8 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 846 | 9 |
| 1999 | 419 | 3 |
| 2000 | 199 | 5 |
All figures are from[2]. The 1998 model year has the second highest complaint count, behind 1995, and the most recalls of the six years. The 1997, 1999 and 2000 model years have far fewer complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat the gaps as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 1998 Contour?
The record is mixed to heavy. The model year has 846 complaints and 9 recalls, with 1995 the only year in the table above that has more complaints[2]. Complaints about stalling, electrical trouble and the shift lever show up in the small samples we read[3][4][5]. Fire reports are most common in electrical complaints, and two recalls involve a fire risk from wiring or fuel leaks[4][12][13].
If you look at one, ask for proof that the recall work was done, especially the blower resistor, rear brake valve, air bag sensor and accelerator cable recalls[12][14][15][16]. Watch for stalling on a test drive. The 4-cylinder versions are rated 24 or 25 MPG combined[19][6]. The car has no NHTSA star rating[22].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Contour?
- Engine, electrical system and power train have the highest complaint counts, at 135, 130 and 128[3][4][5]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe stalling, dash fires or smoke, and shift lever recall delays.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Contour have?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the model year[2]. They cover front coil springs, the heater blower resistor, a bi-fuel tank grommet, rear brake valves, air bag sensor wiring, the accelerator cable, the headlight switch, the floor shift control and headlamp aiming instructions[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][10][18].
- What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford Contour get?
- EPA combined ratings run from 21 MPG for the 2.5L 6-cylinder manual to 25 MPG for the 2.0L 4-cylinder manual[21][6].
- Is the 1998 Ford Contour the worst Contour year?
- It has the most recalls of the six years listed, at 9, and the second highest complaint count, 846, behind 1995 at 891[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 846 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Ford Contour (50 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 50 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Contour model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 135 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 130 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 13 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 128 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 32 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 102 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,405). NHTSA vehicle records
- 99 complaints name the air bags component group (24 crashes, 0 fires, 24 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,714). NHTSA vehicle records
- 91 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,505). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 98V233, filed September 18, 1998: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V255, filed August 8, 2001: Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 01V230, filed July 9, 2001: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V350, filed October 30, 2000: Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V075, filed March 9, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V243, filed September 8, 1999: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V194, filed July 20, 1999: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V103, filed May 5, 1999: Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 98V028, filed February 10, 1998: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CONTOUR 4DR SEDAN LX: length 185 in, width 69 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 2,780 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CONTOUR 4DR SEDAN SE V6: length 185 in, width 69 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CONTOUR 4DR SEDAN SVT: length 184 in, width 69 in, height 54 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,071 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov