1998 Ford Contour Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Ford Contour, 1% of the 846 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The hood's safety latch failed causing hood to flip open and smash backward onto to the windshield shattering it completely, knocking out the light console in the roof, denting the roof, and causing significant damage to the hood, and various appurtenances in the hood and windshield area. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #767148, filed 2002-09“Consumer was traveling 65mph when hood flew up, smashing windshield. Consumer had to hammer hood down to get it home. It was taken to an autobody shop, they had no explaination why it happened. Consumer was going to take it to a dealer. Consumer states one person was injured due to incident.”
NHTSA complaint #885047, filed 2001-04“Driver's side seat belt locked up, had to untwist belt to use it. Also, rear window fell out, nothing had hit it/ignition key switch would rattle when inserting key & taking it out, and sun roof lock was not working. Sunroof could not be opened or closed . Taking vehicle to dealer to check problems.”
NHTSA complaint #849465, filed 1999-09Latches, locks and linkages: 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 complaintsExterior lighting
43 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsSeats
35 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 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