1998 Ford Contour Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 4%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 190,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1998 Ford Contour, 4% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 190,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Recall no.#99s23, airbag sensor module: recall no.#01f22, heater blower resister: when the vehicle is running the air bag light stays on at all times. Also intermittently the heater will not work properly when the system is engaged. The heater will also blow out a foul odor similar to sulfur. There is a recall for this make, model and year vehicle but, the consumer's is not a part of the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10082112, filed 2004-07, 190,000 miles“I am the owner of a 1998 Ford Contour. I bought it used, and within a 1 year remainder of a 3 year warranty. I was never officially notified of several defects and NHTSA recalls that are still in effect for this car model year. One of the repairs for the blower resistor was performed twice, however it was never done to my satisfaction and it did not meet the standards of quality as expected for the recall. There are several safety issues with this car, and I am now afraid to keep driving it after what I have read. …”
NHTSA complaint #10209371, filed 2007-11“My 1998 Contour is at 128,225 miles. The problems that I have experienced with the car are the following: -the headlights go out of aim and moisture collects in the headlamp and when the moisture dries it leaves a film on the inside of the lens. The brightness of the headlights is terrible. I can barely see at night even when it is a clear night. I have had several near misses. I almost hit a man on a bicycle the other night. He had reflectors on his bike but I didn't see him till I was right up behind him. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069777, filed 2004-01“My dash on my 98 Contour has been warping / curling , even while it kept in my garage , in a cool climate . Also my rear bumper is sagging for no apparent reason .”
NHTSA complaint #10142920, filed 2005-11“While under warranty the engine light came on. Had it replaced. While under warranty had the rear main seal replaced. Just three weeks after that repair the oil light came on. I checked the oil level and found that it was at the proper level.I took it to the dealer who said I needed a new engine. Now I have appealed to Ford moter co. To replace the engine at their cost. It seems to me that the failure began under warranty but only manifested itself 3 weeks after the warranty period.”
NHTSA complaint #732821, filed 2000-09Other or unknown: 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 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