1998 Ford Contour Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 72about this part
- Share
- 9%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Ford Contour, 9% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 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.
“When filling gas tank, the gasoline shuts off after only a few cents. It takes 10 minutes to get 3 gallons of fuel. I noticed an air line that exits to the right of the gas filler tube. I sprayed pressurized air and it worked enough to get me home, but after 3-4 fill ups later, it started again. The pressurized air does not help anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #10039267, filed 2003-09, 55,000 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“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“Re: your #00v350000 I have experienced the problem with me Ford Contour for 2 years Ford refuses to fix because they only cover the problem up to 100,000 miles. It takes me up to 25 minutes to fill my gas tank because of this problem. I have had one gas station attendant ask me not to fuel at his station until I get it fixed. I don't have the extra money to fix. $300.00 plus. It is a faulty part why is it not fixed?”
NHTSA complaint #10016906, filed 2003-05, 109,000 miles“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. Ford, in my opinion, seems to be of the mind do not fix it if it is not broke . …”
NHTSA complaint #10218509, filed 2008-02, 88,750 milesRelated recalls
- 00V350000Oct 30, 2000Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles. These vehicles may have a fuel tank filler pipe grommet that could have been damaged during the installation of the…Covers: Ford Contour 1998–2000
Fuel system: 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 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 30, 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