Skip to content
Ford ContourModel year report

1998 Ford Contour Problems

Complaints
846filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,000miles, 161 complaints with mileage
Recalls
9campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Ford Contour (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe degrading underhood wiring insulation that crumbles and leaves bare wires, along with broken front coil springs, automatic transmission shift problems, and air bag warning lights that stay on. Many reports come from cars with well over 70,000 miles, and a recurring theme is that a recall covering similar vehicles did not include a particular car because of its VIN symbol.

  1. Electrical system

    Underhood wiring insulation crumbles and shorts

    • 96 complaints (11%)
    • median 85,465 mi at 9.0 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 11 quotes)
    • filed 1997–2024

    Complaints describe insulation on engine-compartment and computer wiring harnesses cracking, flaking off, and leaving bare copper exposed. Owners link this to no-starts, stalling, loss of instrument panel and radio power, erratic sensors, and on one car a connector that melted and burned. Several say a dealer or shop recommended replacing the whole harness, and some report that a recall for similar wiring problems covered other model years but not their car. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 115,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage and one past 280,000 miles.

    Recall 01V2300001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Open the hood and flex a few harness sections and connectors to see whether insulation cracks or falls away; ask whether any harness repairs or replacements have been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The wiring insulation on my 1998 Ford Contour is literally falling off the wires. I am afraid to touch any wire because the insulation just flakes off leaving bare wire. This has been occurring for quite some time and apparently is fairly common in this model.”

    NHTSA complaint #10325248, filed 2010-04, 80,000 miles

    “I have a 1998 Ford Contour svt, this is my third one. Every one I purchase has the same problem, the wires in the wire harness for the computer and car crack and the coating just falls right off, which allows the wires to the computer to touch which shorts the computer and makes the car no longer start, it will crank but it will not start cause the computer in shorted and confused so there is no fuel and no spark going to the fuel rail or the coil pack. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10175661, filed 2006-12, 107,556 miles
  2. Suspension

    Front coil spring breaks or snaps

    • 59 complaints (7%)
    • median 79,405 mi at 7.0 yrs old (28 state mileage)
    • filed 2000–2024

    Owners report front coil springs cracking or snapping, sometimes found during a routine inspection or tire change, and in several cases the broken spring punctured a tire or damaged a brake line. Complaints frequently note that a spring recall existed for this model but their vehicle was excluded by VIN, and that the dealer would not cover the repair. Scattered from roughly 47,000 to 135,000 miles, often discovered while parked overnight or during tire and inspection work.

    Recall 01V255000

    What to check: Have the front springs inspected on a lift for cracks or fresh breaks near the lower seat, and ask whether the spring recall or bracket work was performed on this specific car.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 1998 Ford Contour covered by recalls 01s23-01m08 pertaining to front spring fracture and extending warranty to cover 10 years or 150,000 miles. The vehicle falls under the time and mileage requirements. I took the car to fred martin Ford for noise in front end and they told me the problem was a broken spring. They failed to tell me that the parts were covered under the Ford recall and instead told me the repair would cost me over $500.00. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10086608, filed 2004-08, 46,000 miles

    “The vehicle was taken in for inspection about a month ago and now the coil spring has broken and damaged the brake line. The vehicle has been repaired. Ford has recalled some of this year model but not this vehicle because of the VIN. Customer is requesting reimbursement for replacement of the coil spring, brake hose and cv joint boot.”

    NHTSA complaint #10119374, filed 2005-06, 77,159 miles
  3. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission slips out of gear or shifts harshly

    • 44 complaints (5%)
    • median 84,221 mi at 8.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 1998–2011

    Complaints describe the automatic transmission slipping out of gear at road speed, hard or delayed downshifts, and bucking or surging on acceleration, with the engine revving when drive is lost. Some owners say a shop found nothing wrong on testing before a later failure, while others were told engine and transmission mounts were the cause. Reported from about 22,000 miles upward, with most clustered around 80,000 to 105,000 miles.

    Recall 98V2330001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Test-drive at steady throttle and while slowing for downshifts, watching for slipping, revving, or harsh engagement; ask for transmission service records and whether the PCM has been reprogrammed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I purchased the car on october 1, 2004. I was driving the car for about 10 minutes on the freeway I slowed down due to traffic. When I started to take off I felt a jerk when the transmission shifted. My check engine light came on. When I turn off my car and restart it, it does not jerk when it shifts, unless I continue to drive about 10 miles, then it does it again.”

    NHTSA complaint #10098165, filed 2004-11, 94,400 miles

    “My 1998 Ford Contour se has problems with the trunk leaking. Ever since I bought the car the trunk leaks slowly. I find huge wet spots in the carpet in my trunk. Also the vehicle has a problem with the transmission. When you drive the vehicle the transmission gets caught and hesitates to shift.”

    NHTSA complaint #10114390, filed 2005-03, 80,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Air bag warning light stays on

    • 78 complaints (9%)
    • median 89,714 mi at 7.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 1997–2011

    Owners report the air bag light illuminating or flashing, sometimes with a code, and staying on after related recall work such as sensor wiring replacement. Complaints describe shops diagnosing a failed front crash sensor or air bag diagnostic monitor, and in one report an air bag inflated on a bump while another deployed unevenly in a crash. Mostly reported between about 85,000 and 105,000 miles, with a couple of reports at much lower mileage.

    Recall 99V243000

    What to check: Confirm the air bag light comes on briefly at startup and then goes out; ask whether the sensor wiring and diagnostic monitor recall work was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Regarding NHTSA campaign id # 99v243000, concerning Ford motor company recall 99s23 on 1998 Ford Contour. The NHTSA web page lists the remedy as: dealer will install air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation. In addition, vehicles which have the air bag warning light lit, will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed. My 1998 Ford Contour has had the wiring replaced when I brought the car in for it's annual inspection, and the air bag warning light was flashing code 51. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10112281, filed 2005-02, 89,714 miles

    “On september 29, 2000 this vehicle was involved in three car crash. Upon impact the air bags deployed. The passenger side air bag deployed fully and remained inflated although the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle. The drivers side air inflated 50% the deflated. The driver sustained minor injuries to her chest/ribs. The dealer replaced the air bag sensor.”

    NHTSA complaint #10044402, filed 2003-11, 108,000 miles
  5. Fuel system

    Fuel spills back or nozzle shuts off during refueling

    • 30 complaints (4%)
    • median 62,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1998–2012

    Complaints describe fuel spitting back out of the filler while refueling, or the pump nozzle shutting off repeatedly at any tank level. Owners say a shop identified the filler pipe flapper valve, and some note that a related coverage program had expired or that their VIN was not included. A few reports describe a leaking or corroded fuel tank. Reported across a wide mileage range, from very low mileage to past 90,000 miles.

    Recall 00V350000

    What to check: Fill the tank slowly and watch for spit-back or early nozzle shutoff, and ask whether the filler pipe or tank has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Fuel spit-back while refueling. Took to Ford dealership and since the extended coverage for the fuel pipe flapper valve expired 5 months ago they will not repair. Ford wants $300 to repair. My car only has approximately 88,800 miles and I do not have $300 to repair. I called Ford in michigan and they said the same thing and emphasized the importance of taking car to Ford dealership for repairs. I took car to Ford in mississippi in 2002 and no mention of recall was made. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10218509, filed 2008-02, 88,750 miles

    “Vehicle operator noticed odor of natural gas in passenger compartment. Vehicle brought to framingham Ford via flat bed determination fuel tank leaking. Not under warranty. Has extended warranty, expires may 2003. Ford denies coverage. This constitutes a safety hazard.----- dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis-----------------769739.”

    NHTSA complaint #10008554, filed 2002-11, 41,100 miles

Buying note. On a car this old, the wiring harness condition, front springs, and transmission behavior matter more than mileage alone; have a shop inspect the harness and springs and check whether open recalls were completed for this specific VIN before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 846 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Contour. 161 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 50 involved a crash, 20 a fire, 54 an injury, 4 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (34), Vehicle speed control (34), Steering (33), Equipment (29), Seat belts (18), Body and structure (18), Tires (13), Wheels (12), Interior lighting (10), Latches, locks and linkages (6), Engine (3), Electronic stability control (2).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Constant problems with the vehicle. Alternator, fuel tank, gear shift indicator, computer sensor's (variable cam timing over retarded), automatic shift labored and fails, cooling fan motor, etc. This vehicle is in some form of repair shop on a regular basis. Have I driven a Ford lately? Yes, and sorry I chose to do so.”

NHTSA complaint #10037076, filed 2003-09, 18,000 miles

Electrical system: “I just traded and got this car, it seems to sway in the back going over wet roads or bumpy roads not sure what it is, but I fear my safety as the previous owner did not tell me about this. I also have noticed that the temperature gauge does not work and the heater blower only works on high. I cannot afford to get things fixed if there is recalls on them.”

NHTSA complaint #10553556, filed 2013-11, 163,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 complaint #11153195, filed 2018-11, 147,000 miles

Suspension: “I went in to get new tires put on and during the inspection the front coil springs are borken. The coil spring on the right is broken in two places. I looked for a warranty and there does exisit one for the Contour but based on my VIN it does not cover it.”

NHTSA complaint #10124097, filed 2005-06, 91,273 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 161 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 107,000 miles.

2%0–101%10–2514%25–5022%50–7532%75–10024%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (161 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’99165’02’05’08’11’14’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Ford Contour. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Contour · sedan not rated5 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 Ford Contour version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Contour FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual213225$2,700
Contour FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic213024$2,800
Contour FWD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182822$3,050
Contour FWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172621$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 9 recalls for the 1998 Ford Contour → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.

Other model years of the Ford Contour

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200019955,0005—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199941960,0003—23Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199884685,0009—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199721897,0005—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199656391,0008—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199589199,0008—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199412—0———Not enough data

All Ford Contour model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Contour?

Owners of this model year most often describe degrading underhood wiring insulation that crumbles and leaves bare wires, along with broken front coil springs, automatic transmission shift problems, and air bag warning lights that stay on. The issues reported most often: Underhood wiring insulation crumbles and shorts; Front coil spring breaks or snaps; Transmission slips out of gear or shifts harshly.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Ford Contour have?

NHTSA recorded 846 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Contour as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Ford Contour is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 132 complaints (16% of the total), followed by electrical system with 130.

Has the 1998 Ford Contour been recalled?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford Contour get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Ford Contour (Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Ford Contour reported?

Among the 161 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 107,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.