5.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,097 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Contour lights problems

lights problem

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1998 Ford Contour Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Apr 012005

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop for regularly scheduled maintenance. The mechanic stated that the front passenger side coil spring failed. In 2001, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 01V255000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The dealer inspected the vehicle at that time and stated that no repair was needed. However, now that the failure has occurred, the manufacturer stated that the recall was no longer valid. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 81,000. Updated 01/09/08. The consumer stated the coils springs have been replaced twice in this vehicle. The dealer stated replaced headlight switch and cable in engine. Updated 12/12/07 updated 06/04/08.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #21

Aug 132006

Contour

  • miles
Headlights do not provide sufficient illumination.

- Bellefonte, PA, USA

problem #20

Jul 312006

(reported on)

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The headlight in the consumer's 1998 Ford Contour do not illuminate the road enough while driving at night. Visibility is especially bad while driving at night in the rain because the lights fog up. The consumer has almost had an accident because of the headlights.

- Verner, WV, USA

problem #19

May 012006

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 98 Ford Contour both of the headlights form condensation on the inside and then become pitted. This greatly reduces the visibility at night and during stormy weather. We have changed the bulbs but not the entire headlight assembly. When we went to look for a set of headlights we discovered that all the used sets have the exact same problem. The lights need to be replaced and this problem is occurring on all Ford Contour and its Mercury counterpart.

- Patton, PA, USA

problem #18

Jul 162004

Contour

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When driving the vehicle at night, the driver noticed that the headlights were dim. The consumer will take the vehicle to the dealership for inspection.

- Prineville, OR, USA

problem #17

Feb 192004

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Vehicle didn't pass safety inspection due headlight lenses being opaque.

- Randolph, MA, USA

problem #16

Dec 082003

Contour

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Over a period of time the headlight lens faded. This made it difficult to see while driving at night. The dealership has been notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide any additional information.

- Oakville, CT, USA

problem #15

Aug 042003

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I went to the Ford dealership here in Louisiana and showed them the papers that was sent to me concerning recalls for my year & make of car. I told them that some of the recalls on those papers was happening to my car and why haven't they been repaired when I brought my car in and they stated to me that if the VIN # for my car didn't come up as a recall and as long as the problem didn't exist then they could not repair it. And I stated that even though my VIN didn't come up and even though my car is having some these recalls problems yall are not going to repair them because my VIN # didn't come up and the problem is not existing right now all are not going to repair or fix these recalls, and I was told yes. Well, some of these recalls are existing on my car and I can't get the Ford place to repair or fix them why is that? I think that's very unfair to the customer.

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #14

Oct 012002

Contour 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,125 miles
I own a 1998 Ford Contour. I have been having several problems with the headlamps. The passenger side headlamp hold moisture inside and the driver side is starting to do the same thing. Not only this but both headlamps go out of aim every so often. When the lights are on low beam I can't see ten feet in front of the car and I have to drive with the high beams on so I can see what is in front of me. This has caused four near misses. Two with deers, one with a mail box, and on with another car. I don't know if the moisture in the headlights has anything to do the brightness of the headlights themselves. When I had the headlights aimed for the third time I asked the dealer about the moisture problem and they said I would have to replace both the headlights.

- Spottsville, KY, USA

problem #13

Sep 232002

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
The headlights on the vehicle are sweating on the interior wall and are burning very dim. Consumer wonders will there be a recall for this problem.

- Sunbury , NC, USA

problem #12

Mar 011999

Contour

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Headlights cannot be adjusted to produce proper lighting at night, consumer not able to drive vehicle at night. To dealer 3 times, replaced headlights, did not remedy. Then dealer stated it was a defect because lights were not adjustable.

- Thomasville, AL, USA

problem #11

Feb 092001

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Fog lamps have not worked since recall. Dealer has not followed through on promises.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #10

May 152000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Consumer is very unhappy with the number of recalls (6) that have been issued on the vehicle and feels the vehicle is a lemon. Nlm

- Battle Gro, WA, USA

problem #9

May 122000

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
Low beam headlights are too dim, making it dangerous to drive at night. Dealer adjusted lights 3 times, but problem still occurs. Dealer claims it is just a design flaw and cannot be repaired.

- Thomasville, AL, USA

problem #8

Oct 091999

Contour

  • miles
Recall work not completed due to dealer scheduling problem. (99V-103) mjs

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 091999

Contour

  • miles
Recall work not completed due to dealer scheduling problem. (99V-103) mjs

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #6

Sep 151999

Contour

  • miles
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.

- Mt. Holly, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jul 011999

Contour

  • miles
When driving at any speed there is a knocking and clucking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, headlights are working intermittently.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #4

Sep 231999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
The headlights do not come on. Also, interior lights on the dash sometimes do not function. Dealer has see vehicle..

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #3

Jul 151999

(reported on)

Contour

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Hertford, NC, USA

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