Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

What owners actually said

846 reports

85,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117478

80,000 miles · Mar 21, 2005

Fuel System, OtherPower Train

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114390

35,000 miles · Mar 15, 2005

Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TAKES HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RETURN TO IT'S LOWER IDLING SPEED. THE CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE OF THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NO…

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NHTSA ODI #10111402

79,000 miles · Mar 14, 2005

VisibilityFire

RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V230000 CONCERNING HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. BOTH TIMES CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEATER BLOWER WAS THE CAUSE OF BOTH FIRES. CONSUMER CONTRACTED THE DEALE…

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NHTSA ODI #10115053

72,000 miles · Mar 3, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED 9/04 AND I TOOK MY 98 FORD CONTOUR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK IT TO FORD IN 3/05 (BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT COULD WAIT AWHILE) AND THEY DIAGNOSED A DIFFERENT CODE AND REPLACED THE MANIFOLD. AFTER PAYING $600.00 TO FORD, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER 45 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE AND THEY DIAGNOSED A CATALYTIC CODE. I HAD TOLD FORD THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO RE-DIAGNOSED WITH THEM OUT OF POCKET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112470

89,714 miles · Feb 28, 2005

Air Bags

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REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 99V243000, CONCERNING FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL 99S23 ON 1998 FORD CONTOUR. THE NHTSA WEB PAGE LISTS THE REMEDY AS: DEALER WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT, WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED. MY 1998 FORD CONTOUR HAS HAD THE WIRING REPLACED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING CODE 51. ONCE THE WIRING WAS REPLACED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED LIT, AND THE CAR FAILED THE SAFETY INSPECTION. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP (FREEDOM FORD, 1020 W. MERCURY BLVD. HAMPTON VA), REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I WOULD LIKE THE NHSTA TO REMOVE THE WORDING FROM THEIR WEB PAGE REGARDING THIS REPLACEMENT, OR INFORM ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMEDY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10112281

90,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005

Suspension

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE TIRE CHANGED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111195

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005

Wheels

THE FRONT WHEELS ON THE 1998 FORD CONTOUR WERE SEVERELY CRACKED. THE REAR OF THE WHEEL, THE CRACK CONTINUED TOWARD THE RIM, THEN CURLED TO THE RIGHT. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PAY TO REPLACE THE WHEELS . THE CONSU…

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NHTSA ODI #10111418

98,000 miles · Jan 27, 2005

Suspension

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TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PARTICULAR PART AND PAID FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. FORD ADMITS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WON'T REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE WORK WAS DONE BY A NON-FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP AFTER THE LETTER NOTIFYING ME OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS SENT OUT. EVEN THOUGH THE LETTER WAS SENT OUT TWO YEARS BEFORE THE PART ACTUALLY FAILED. EVEN IF FORD DOESN'T WANT TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE LABOR DONE BY THE NON-FORD SHOP, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COIL SPRINGS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BE ORDERED DIRECTLY FROM FORD!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #10108052

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RUBBER ODOR HE SMELLED INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE CAME FROM THE BELTS IN THE ENGINE. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10109474

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

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 & remedy

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 FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

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 & remedy

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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

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 & remedy

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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

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 & remedy

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

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.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

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 & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗