1998 Ford Contour Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 5%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Ford Contour, 5% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,200 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I currently am the second owner of a 1998 Ford Contour. Recently the parking, and dashboard lights ceased to operate. I changed the headlight switch which lasted for a week and burned out.. Research on the internet revealed there was a service recall dated 5/10/99 under serial #99v10300 for the headlight harness which was causing the above described problem. I contacted Ford who stated their was no open recall on this vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10257729, filed 2009-02, 85,400 miles“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“On 98 Ford contours both of the headlights form condensation on the inside and then become pitted. This greatly reduces the visibility at night and during stormy weather. We have changed the bulbs but not the entire headlight assembly. When we went to look for a set of headlights we discovered that all the used sets have the exact same problem. The lights need to be replaced and this problem is occurring on all Ford contours and its mercury counterpart.”
NHTSA complaint #10156509, filed 2006-05, 70,000 miles“I own a 1998 Ford Contour. I have been having several problems with the headlamps. The passenger side headlamp hold moisture inside and the driver side is starting to do the same thing. Not only this but both headlamps go out of aim every so often. When the lights are on low beam I can't see ten feet in front of the car and I have to drive with the high beams on so I can see what is in front of me. This has caused four near misses. Two with deers, one with a mail box, and on with another car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10028854, filed 2003-07, 110,125 miles“Dealership replaced the bronze terminals, but refused to replace the headlight switch as stated in the headlight switch/wire harness recall 99v103000. Instrument panel lights and headlights were not working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10056114, filed 2004-02, 119,700 milesRelated recalls
- 99V103000May 5, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of…Covers: Ford Contour 1996–1998, Mercury Mystique 1996–1998
- 98V028000Feb 10, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not…Covers: Ford Contour 1998, Taurus 1997–1998, Mercury Sable 1997–1998 +4 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Contour
132 complaintsElectrical system
130 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
128 complaintsSuspension
102 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsBrakes
91 complaintsFuel system
72 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