The 1998 Ford Contour is a compact car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.5L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 17–21 city / 26–32 highway / 21–25 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,700–$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 355–423 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 1998 Ford Contour. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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…
Risk: Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
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…
Risk: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
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…
Risk: If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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.
Risk: 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.
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…
Risk: In some cases, the air bag warning light can illuminate and the air bag supplemental restraint system disabled.
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.
Risk: This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine rpm.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Risk: The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
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.
Risk: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
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."
Risk: 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.
Owners have filed 846 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour with NHTSA. 50 reports involved a crash and 20 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 50 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 253 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Ford Contour. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Guidance for cng tank inspection for vehicles produced after december 2, 1996. *tt update. *tt
General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with diagnostic trouble code(s) p0420 and/or p0430. *tt
Steering column shipped without crush pad - reuse original crush pad if not damaged. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 7 defect investigations covering the 1998 Ford Contour.
Incorrect gear indication
There is no summary currently available
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Fuel expulsion during refueling
There is no summary currently available
Fuel expulsion during refueling
There is no summary currently available
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Various intermittent electrical issues
There is no summary currently available
Fuel gauge does not read below 1/4
Ford's service bulletin dated december 8, 1997, points out that the fuel gauge will not read above 3/4 tank or below 1/4 tank of fuel.the erroneous fuel gauge reading will indicate significantly more fuel reserve than actually present in the fuel tank.odi has one complaint where the driver alleged that his vehicle ran
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 Contours that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 1998 Ford Contour; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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