1998 Ford Contour: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Ford Contour: 9 recalls, 846 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V028000 · 1998 · 571,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #98V233000 · 1998 · 175,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
The fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #99V103000 · 1999 · 605,581 vehicles
What's wrong: The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Why it matters: The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
The fix: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #99V194000 · 1999 · 159,565 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine rpm.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
Airbags Vehicle recall #99V243000 · 1999 · 280,481 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In some cases, the air bag warning light can illuminate and the air bag supplemental restraint system disabled.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #00V075000 · 2000 · 436,200 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system (other) Vehicle recall #00V350000 · 2000 · 3,750 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
Electrical Vehicle recall #01V230000 · 2001 · 342,962 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began August 29, 2001.
Suspension Vehicle recall #01V255000 · 2001 · 108,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
The fix: Dealers will install spring catcher brackets. Owner notification began October 23, 2001.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Recall #01I013000 · 2001 · 203,426 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 vehicles built at the kansas city assembly plant. The front coil springs could potentially fracture due to corrosion.
Why it matters: Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #06E022000 · 2006 · 7,440 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from July 27, 2005 through January 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When…
Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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 1-800-323-0354.
Suspension Equipment recall #08E033000 · 2008 · 6,903 vehicles
What's wrong: The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
Why it matters: The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. If the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members May loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. This May result in loss of vehicle control,…
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 20 mention a fire, 54 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (132): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (31), warning light on (22), noise or vibration (13).
- Electrical (130): the most common themes are electrical failure (65), fire / smoke (21), stalls / loses power (19).
- Transmission & drivetrain (128): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (60), noise or vibration (16), warning light on (11).
- Suspension (102): the most common themes are noise or vibration (21).
The 1998 Ford Contour has 846 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 9 Contour model years for complaints (2.4× the average Contour year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (169 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 85,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (218 complaints, 5 recalls), 1999 (419 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 32 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Ford Contour.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Ford Contour have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Ford Contour, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Ford Contour problems?
Owners have filed 846 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (132), electrical (130), transmission & drivetrain (128).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford Contour get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Ford Contour repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.