1998 Ford Contour Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 128about this part
- Share
- 15%of 846 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,221miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 128 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Contour, 15% of the 846 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,221 miles. 3 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.
“Was driving down route 322 on day and had to hit the break and all of a sudden they went to the floor. I pulled over and checked my break fluid resivour and it was empty. I think the passenger side drum break is leaking fluid.”
NHTSA complaint #11153195, filed 2018-11, 147,000 miles“My husband and I purchased a used 1998 Ford Contour, upon inspection, we found that the transmission was shot. So we decided to do a little research on this vehicle and found that there a recall on this particular vehicle for transmissions problem. Saying that the shift may not put into the correct gear which can or will cause transmission problems. In which are having.”
NHTSA complaint #10241637, filed 2008-09, 161,292 miles“I purchased the car on october 1, 2004. I was driving the car for about 10 minutes on the freeway I slowed down due to traffic. When I started to take off I felt a jerk when the transmission shifted. My check engine light came on. When I turn off my car and restart it, it does not jerk when it shifts, unless I continue to drive about 10 miles, then it does it again.”
NHTSA complaint #10098165, filed 2004-11, 94,400 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 milesRelated recalls
- 98V233000Sep 18, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The…Covers: Ford Contour 1995–1998, Mercury Mystique 1995–1998
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Contour
132 complaintsElectrical system
130 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 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