WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDALVEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL AT THE SAME SPEED FOR 5, 10, OR MAYBE 15 SECONDS BEFORE SLOWNG DOWN. THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING TIME FOR BRAKING. THIS VEHICLE TO DO THIS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
1998 Ford Contour complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →
HEADLIGHT'S ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DOOR LIGHT ABOVE FLOOR LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DON'T WORK. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. *AK
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #99V194000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE ON APPOINTED DATE. MECHANIC REPAIRED HEADLIGHT SWITCH. FAILED TO REPAIR THE THROTTLE CABLE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS & TOO MANY CUSTOMERS. WOULD NEED TO REORDER MORE PARTS & WOULD NOTIFY OWNER, WHO IS STILL WAITING. (99S14 REPAIRED) (99S19 WAITING FOR PARTS). *AK
RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO DEALER SCHEDULING PROBLEM. (99V-103) MJS
CONSUMER IS HAVING SCHEDULING PROBLEMS IN RECEIVING RECALL REPAIRS (99V-103) (99V-194). MJS
THUMP IN FRONT END AFTER COASTING AND THEN RESUMEING SPEED.
BUBBLING OF PAINT UNDER CLEARCOAT (DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER, PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR)
THE SWAY BAR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING OVER CERTAIN OBJECTS IN THE ROAD. *YC
WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT WOULD MAKE POPPING NOISE. WOULD HAVE LOUD RATTLING NOISE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH DO NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN IN USE. THE LIGHT FOR ABS BRAKES COMES ON & STAYS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN USE. THE RUBBER TRIMMING AROUND THE WINDOWS HAD CAME OFF. THE DIMMER & THE DOME LIGHT WOULD CUT OFF & THEN ON. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE RED AREA. WHEN CAR OVERHEATS IT LOSES POWER. SINCE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE CAR SHE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND RECALL NOTICES. *AK
DROVE THROUGH PUDDLE, LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. *AK
ON 7/25/99, THE CAR ACCELERATED MYSTERIOSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. LATER, NOTIFICATION OF THROTTLE CABLE RECALL WAS RECIEVED. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED PROBLEM WITH OXYGEN SENSOR. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE OVER $5,000 TO THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND PASSENGER SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED TO LOCK.
ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE THE CAR HAVE A WHISTLING SOUND. THEN BELT POPPED AND SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON.*AK
ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE A WHISTLUNG SOUND. THEN, BELT POPPED AND SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON. *AK
ENGINE BELT THAT DEALER PUT ON MADE A WHISTLING SOUND. THEN BELT POPPED/SHREDDED LIKE RIBBON. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK, AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CAR JERKS AND VIBRATES.*AK
TWO FRONT TIRES WHERE PUT ON AT 27000 MILES AND THEY WORE OUT. *AK
REPORTING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMSSION; WHENEVER SHIFT INDICATOR IS ENGAGED IN ANY OTHER GEAR, CONSUMER CAN HEAR A CRUNCHING /CLICKING SOUND. DEALER NOTIFIED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER ON NORMAL WEAR AT THIS MILAGES AT 51,000 .*AK
HAD STARTED UP VEHICLE & THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. IT WOULD CONTINUE TO FLASH ON/OFF UNTIL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. PROBLEM & NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. *AK
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING SOME TYPE OF AIRBAG FAILURE BUT IT'S TAKING THE DEALERSHIP ALOT OF TIME TO FIND AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NLM
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT WAS HARD AS IF SOMETHING WAS KEEPING IT FROM BEING PUSHED. BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL, CAUSING CONSUMER TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. CONSUMER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HEAD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, HAD TO UNTWIST BELT TO USE IT. ALSO, REAR WINDOW FELL OUT, NOTHING HAD HIT IT/IGNITION KEY SWITCH WOULD RATTLE WHEN INSERTING KEY & TAKING IT OUT, AND SUN ROOF LOCK WAS NOT WORKING. SUNROOF COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED . TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK PROBLEMS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WITHOU PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A KNOCKING AND CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED, ROLLED WHEN IN PARK POSITION. MJS
ENIGINE MOUNTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO FALL ON THE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN STEERING DIFFICULTIES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. OWNER REPLACED THE MOUNT RESTING ON THE STEERING SHAFT AT THEIR EXPENSE. FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR AT THEIR COST. *AK *YC
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STAYS ON. ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER SAYS SOMETHING IN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
FUEL FILLER OPENING DOES NOT PROVIDE VENT WHEN ADDING GASOLINE. NOZZLE SHUTS OFF REPEATEDLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADD GAS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INVESTIGATE, FINGER BECAME LODGED IN FUEL FILLER OPENING FLAP (IT HAS A SMALL OPENING NEAR THE BASE, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE PIPE), FIRE RESCUE PERSONNEL NEEDED TO CUT OUT FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE TO EXTRACT MY FINGER.
DUE TO THE "FLAP IN THE FUEL NOZZLE WHICH GETS STUCK AND CAUSES THE FUEL TO SPRAY OUT WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE. THIS MAY CAUSE A FIRE IF THERE IS A SOURCE OF IGNITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK FORD STATED THAT IT IS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL, ONLY TO BE REPLACED UNDETR WARRANTY. JN
CONSUMER HAVING TROUBLE WITH DEALERSHIP OBTAINING RECALL REPAIR (99V-103). MJS
LEFT OUTER TIE ROD FAILED. MJS
THE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ,ON THE FRONT END. DEALER HAS SEEN FOUR TIMES. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. MJS
THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE HORN, BRINKER'S AND BRAKE LIGHT'S NOT TO WORK. ALSO, ALL THE RUBBER HAS FALLEN OFF THE DOOR PANEL, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T RETRACT. *AK
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH SOMETIMES DO NOT FUNCTION. DEALER HAS SEE VEHICLE. *AK.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IT WAS IN PARK, HITTING A BURGER KING RESULTING IN INJURY. *YC
WHILE SEATING IN DRIVER SEAT THE BACK SUPPORT CALLAPSED, CONSUMER FELL BACKWARDS.*AK
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GRIND, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN WET CONDITIONS CONSUMER HIT A DITCH AND CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS BURNING AROUND THE SUBFRAME.
PROBLEMS WITH RECALL REPAIR WORK ON THE SHIFT IGNITION (99S19) 99V-194. MJS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK
THE CAR HESITATES AND JUMPS IN AND OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. WHEN THE OVERDRIVE IS OFF THE CAR DOESN'T DO IT. I'VE HAD IT TO AUTONATION THREE TIMES AND THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THANK YOU PETER STOA
ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM DASH AREA. WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN ABANDONED CAR. CAR WAS SERVICED AT DEALER IN GEORGIA. TWO DAYS AFTER FIRST REPAIR SAME ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE. WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ABONDONED CAR FOR A SECOND TIME. WIFE IS CONCERNED OVER CHILDRENS SAFETY. TAKEN TO SECOND DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER OBSERVED PROBLEM WHILE HE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM DASH. DEALER QUICKLY OPENED GLOVE BOX. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE THE SECOND TIME. PROBLEM WAS WITH WIRING HARNESS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD HAS INFORMED ME OF ROOT CAUSE. AM CONCERNED PROBLEM CAN AGAIN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING. HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA. DESIRE TO KNOW ROOT CAUSE, AND FIX TO ASSURE SAFETY OF FAMILY.
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT CUT OFF WHICH IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT WOULD CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE FRONT END MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING VIBRATION. *YC
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH SMELLED A BURNING ODOR.PULLED VEHICLE OVER. THE WIRE TO THE SPEED CONTROL BURNED OFF, CAUSING SMOKE TO FILL IN THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *AK
CONSUMER WAS SENT NHTSA RECALL 99V194000/MFR RECALL99S19, THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL. MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER, BUT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILALBE. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. AT APPROX. 50 OR MORE MPH WHEN VEHICLE GOT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A GUARDRAIL BEFORE STOPPING; ALSO CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THAT TIME. DEALER NOTIFED. CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM. AIR CONDITION VALVE.
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1998 Ford Contour → · Every Contour year → · How the figures are calculated →