1998 Ford Contour Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 91about this part
- Share
- 11%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 91 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Contour, 11% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,600 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Brake failure. On a 1998 Ford Contour svt (~118,440 miles), the bolt attaching the rear brake caliper resulted in a single point failure to the braking system. While driving north on us 301, just south of laplata, md, I heard a pop and the car felt as if I had run over something, but nothing apeared in the road (from the mirrors). Later when slowing while approaching aa traffic signal, I had no brakes. Thankfully I was on a slight incline and able to gear down and use what little brakes remained to stop the car and crawl it to a parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086659, filed 2004-08, 118,410 miles“Dt: vehicle started making loud noises and the brakes failed. Caller was driving on a highway and had to pull off the road. Caller said brakes did not work very well when she tried to get the car home. Dealer said the front left rotor broke ,and rear wheel bearing wore out . Manufacturer will not offer any help.”
NHTSA complaint #10127011, filed 2005-06, 50,000 miles“This car has been nothing but problems, springs, brakes last 4 months,water pumps went at 63,000, tires wear out in less than a year, temperature gauges do not read right. Engine races, solenoid went....very expensive to fix. I do not understand why everyone is having the same problems but no help?”
NHTSA complaint #10043239, filed 2003-10, 63,000 miles“Had vehicle taken in for normal pmi (preventive maintenance inspection) servicing and during inspection-- the rear pcrv (pressure conscious reducing valves were found to be corroded and leaking. This vehicle is operated in wi (salt is used on roadways up here). There is a recall out for this item, but it covers non-ABS vehicles only....... My vehicle has the ABS system. It looks like the recall wasn't expanded far enough..... Problems are still out there!!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10082437, filed 2004-07, 122,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V075000Mar 9, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (abs). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes…Covers: Ford Contour 1996–2000, Mercury Mystique 1996–2000, Cougar 1999–2000
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Contour
132 complaintsElectrical system
130 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
128 complaintsSuspension
102 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsFuel system
72 complaintsExterior lighting
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsSeats
35 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsSteering
33 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Contour
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology