1998 Ford Contour: recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1998 Ford Contour. The newest campaign is 01V255000. NHTSA received the report on 8 Aug 2001. The NHTSA record gives the component Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs. NHTSA has 846 complaints on file for this model year. 7 NHTSA investigations name this model year.
The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.
This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.
Remedy of the newest campaign, 01V255000, in the NHTSA record
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 ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on . Complaint file through . Recall file through .
Since the last update
No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks
Recall campaigns
9 campaigns, newest first. 2,683,339 units in total.
- 01V255000Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs
- 01V230000Electrical System
- 00V350000Fuel System, Other / Storage / Tank Assembly
- 00V075000Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components
- 99V243000Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
- 99V194000Vehicle Speed Control
- 99V103000Exterior Lighting / Headlights / Switch
- 98V233000Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Floor Shift
- 98V028000Exterior Lighting / Headlights
01V255000Received . 108,000 units.
Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.
- Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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 ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 01S23. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
01V230000Received . 342,962 units.
Electrical System
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.
- Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 01S22. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
00V350000Received . 3,750 units.
Fuel System, Other / Storage / Tank Assembly
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 00S38. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
00V075000Received . 436,200 units.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 00S03. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
99V243000Received . 280,481 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 the NHTSA record
In some cases, the air bag warning light can illuminate and the air bag supplemental restraint system disabled.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 99S23. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
99V194000Received . 159,565 units.
Vehicle Speed Control
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine RPM.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 99S19. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
99V103000Received . 605,581 units.
Exterior Lighting / Headlights / Switch
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
- Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Manufacturer campaign number 99S14. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
98V233000Received . 175,000 units.
Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever and Linkage / Floor Shift
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
- Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
98V028000Received . 571,800 units.
Exterior Lighting / Headlights
- Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Report filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: .
The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.
Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.
Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.
Complaints by component
846 complaints, 1,189 component mentions.
A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.
- 1998 Ford Contour
- All 1998 vehicles
| Component | 1998 Contour | All 1998 vehicles | Contour, all years | Mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 129.5 | 123.7 | 152.5 | 154 |
| Power Train | 120.3 | 90.4 | 95.2 | 143 |
| Electrical System | 116.9 | 82.5 | 141.4 | 139 |
| Suspension | 91.7 | 82.6 | 66.7 | 109 |
| Air Bags | 84.9 | 50.6 | 48.6 | 101 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 77.4 | 106.9 | 70.5 | 92 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 57.2 | 36.2 | 56 | 68 |
| Visibility | 41.2 | 56.1 | 50.3 | 49 |
| Exterior Lighting | 39.5 | 27.3 | 41.4 | 47 |
| Steering | 32.8 | 55.8 | 40.3 | 39 |
The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 30.
- Complaints that report a crash
- 50
- Complaints that report a fire
- 20
- Injuries in the complaints
- 54
- Deaths in the complaints
- 4
- Date of the newest complaint
- 8 Feb 2024
These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.
Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.
Investigations
| Number | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Campaign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ02006 | Recall query | INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION | Power Train | 26 Feb 2002 | 12 Sep 2002 | 98V233000 |
| EA01001 | Engineering analysis | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS | Electrical System | 5 Jan 2001 | 31 Jul 2001 | 01I009000 |
| EA00025 | Engineering analysis | FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING | Vehicle Speed Control / Linkages | 4 Oct 2000 | 25 Jan 2001 | |
| PE00027 | Preliminary evaluation | FUEL EXPULSION DURING REFUELING | Vehicle Speed Control / Linkages | 10 Jul 2000 | 4 Oct 2000 | |
| PE00023 | Preliminary evaluation | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS | Electrical System | 14 Jun 2000 | 5 Jan 2001 | |
| RQ99019 | Recall query | VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES | Unknown or Other | 15 Sep 1999 | 7 Mar 2001 | 99V243000 |
| SQ98002 | Safety query | FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ BELOW 1/4 | Vehicle Speed Control / Linkages | 27 Jan 1998 | 31 Jul 1998 |
Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.
Other model years
The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.
A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.
Follow by RSS:Ford recallsVehicle recalls
Official channels
- NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
- NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
- NHTSA page of the 1998 Ford ContourThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.
Cite this page
Recall Register. 1998 Ford Contour: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/ford/contour/1998/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through .
Sources
- Source
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
- Licence
- US government work, public domain
- Recall file through
- 30 Sep 2026
- Complaint file through
- 30 Sep 2026
- First complaint in the file
- 1 Jan 1995
- Manufacturer in the recall file
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.
Questions
- How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1998 Ford Contour?
- 2,683,339 units in 9 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
- How many recall campaigns does the Ford Contour have for all model years?
- NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for the Ford Contour, model years 1993 to 2001. 9 of them name the 1998 model year.
- Which component do the complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour name most often?
- Engine and Engine Cooling: 154 of 1,189 component mentions, or 129.5 per 1,000. For all 1998 vehicles the figure is 123.7 per 1,000.
- Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1998 Ford Contour open?
- No. Each of the 7 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.