1998 Ford Contour Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 4%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the seats of the 1998 Ford Contour, 4% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dt: the contact was sitting in the driver seat while the vehicle was parked. The driver seat suddenly fell backwards and the hinge broke. The seat felt lose prior to the failure, but had not been inspected. After inspection the dealership said the breakage was due to fatigue of the seat frame. The entire seat was replaced. Updated 2/21/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10146789, filed 2006-01, 170,000 miles“The driver's seat rocks back and forth as if the entire unit is loose. I have been told that it might be the system that mounts the seat tracks to the bottom of the car. If I have a collision and the seat track breaks loose will I be protected?”
NHTSA complaint #705025, filed 1999-03“The driver's seatback collapsed into the rear seat upon a rear-end collision when I standing still in traffic. The other driver rear-ended my car at approximately 30mph. Significant back and neck injuries resulted.”
NHTSA complaint #703053, filed 1999-02“Driver's seat collapsed into the rear seat upon impact of a rear end collision while travelling approximately 30 MPH. Upon impact, my seat collapsed back, and I had no protection from neck and back injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #703353, filed 1999-02“I own a 1998 Ford Contour se, recently on 10-13-04 I was driving and the back of my seat gave out, causing me to loose temporary control but avoid an accident. Upon closer inspection of the seat, I found the entire right side of the seat was disconnected. The metal had sheared in half, I couldn''t understand how that had happened. The bolt was still intact, the metal had just sheared into top and bottom causing the seat to fall immediately backwards. I sent emails to Ford motor corporation and the dealer I purchased it from brand new, seeing if something could be done to help. …”
NHTSA complaint #10095783, filed 2004-10Seats: 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 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