1998 FORD CONTOUR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,189
Owner Complaints
12
Recalls
51
Service Bulletins
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
The 1998 FORD CONTOUR has received a total of 1,189 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 12 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. 51 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (74 complaints), Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs (73 complaints), and Air Bags (50 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR, potentially affecting up to 2,901,108 vehicles.
Recall 08E033000 — SUSPENSION
| 6,903 vehicles affected
Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
View full details →Recall 06E022000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 7,440 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS...
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
View full details →Recall 01V255000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
| 108,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS...
Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT...
View full details →Recall 01I013000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
| 203,426 vehicles affected
Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998 FORD CONTOUR/MERCURY MYSTIQUE PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION.
Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR FRONT COIL SPRING REPLACEMENT FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF A VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
View full details →Recall 01V230000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 342,962 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR...
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE...
View full details →Recall 00V350000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 3,750 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.
View full details →Recall 00V075000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
| 436,200 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
View full details →Recall 99V243000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 280,481 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.
View full details →Recall 99V194000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 159,565 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
View full details →Recall 99V103000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
| 605,581 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
View full details →Recall 98V233000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
| 175,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
View full details →Recall 98V028000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 571,800 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
1,189 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Vehicle won't pass inspection due to a Broken or cracked coil spring front passenger side. It was in a recall that we never received notification. And I don't feel like we should be out over $200 to get it licensed.
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.
"TAKARA RECALL" MY HEATER MOTOR IN MY 98 FORD CONTOUR SE JUST STOPPED WORKING.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 FORD CONTOUR in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
Ford Motor Company has issued 51 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
16880 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INOPERATIVE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID OR REPEAT INSTRUMENT INTERFACE MODULE FAILURE. *TT
16140 — AIR BAGS
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHING OUT A 2 DIGIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE AND NO COMMUNICATION WITH AIR BAG MODULE USING SCAN TOOLS. *TT
98164 — STRUCTURE:BODY
A TRANSEAL COATING IS ON THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THIS COATING MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE DELIVERY TO THE CUSTOMER. YD
8128 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A HOOT NOISE FROM THE IDLE IDLE AIR BYPASS SOLENOID ON DECELERATION, USUALLY IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE IDLE SPEED MAY ALSO REMAIN SLIGHTLY HIGHER OR LOWER THAN DESIRED WHEN THIS NOISE IS PRESENT. *TT
99249 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES AN ISSUE WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SEEPING FROM THE VENT, RESULTING IN FLUID COLLECTING ON THE MAIN CONTROL ASSEMBLY. *TT
99215 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLES THAT HAVE WATER LEAKING ONTO FRONT FLOOR FROM DOOR PANEL AREA. *TT
99201 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONCERNS WITH A HARSH SHIFT FELT AT LARGE THROTTLE OPENINGS (OR AT HEAVY ACCELERATION RATE) ON SOME VEHICLES. *TT
99B23 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE WATER PUMP BEARING MAY DETERIORATE AND BECOME LOOSE. THIS IS A OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. *TT
13355 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
INFORMATION REGARDING A/C PEANUT O-RING COLOR. *TT
983160 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ENGINEERING IS INVESTIGATING SOME VEHICLES THAT MAY EXHIBIT VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. *TT
Showing 10 of 51 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 FORD CONTOUR
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 FORD CONTOUR.
Investigation EA00025 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
Investigation PE00027 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING
Investigation SQ98002 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4
Other Model Years of the FORD CONTOUR
- 1993 FORD CONTOUR — 5 complaints
- 1994 FORD CONTOUR — 13 complaints
- 1995 FORD CONTOUR — 1,323 complaints
- 1996 FORD CONTOUR — 858 complaints
- 1997 FORD CONTOUR — 314 complaints
- 1998 FORD CONTOUR (current)
- 1999 FORD CONTOUR — 616 complaints
- 2000 FORD CONTOUR — 248 complaints
- 2001 FORD CONTOUR — 4 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints