12 problems related to power train have been reported for the 1998 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the reverse gear failed to operate. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 98v233000 (power train). However, the VIN was not listed under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
My 1998 Ford Contour se 2. 0 (automatic tansmission) has 80,000+ miles. It had sudden powertrain malfunction. It shifted irradically nearly causing me to to rear-end the vehicle in front of me. Of course, my warranty has expired and I have been forced take my vehicle to cottmans transmission shop where I have been told they are familiar with this problem having worked on four cases, with the Ford Contour, similar to mine in the last month. Repairs, involving a complete overhaul of the transmissin, have been estimated between $1700-$2300. I purchased this vehicle new off the lot in 1998. Causes for this malfunction have been explained to me in laymen terms as "transmission computer" failure that then causes a mechanical malfunction with in the powertrain. Im not sure that this normal wear and tear. Please advise.
My 1998 Contour is at 128,225 miles. The problems that I have experienced with the car are the following: -the headlights go out of aim and moisture collects in the headlamp and when the moisture dries it leaves a film on the inside of the lens. The brightness of the headlights is terrible. I can barely see at night even when it is a clear night. I have had several near misses. I almost hit a man on a bicycle the other night. He had reflectors on his bike but I didn't see him till I was right up behind him. I haven't had this fixed because I can't afford to pay two four hundred dollars for a new pair of headlamps. I have been actually looking in salvage yards. -another thing is the transmission. It shifts out hard between first and second gears. Now it jerks when I go up hills or when I let off of the gas pedal. I figure if I take it to the Ford dealership they will tell me that I have to replace it. -the next thing is the drivers seat. The seat track itself has rust on some of the parts. The driver seat is the only one with the rust problem. When you sit in the seat it rocks side to side (from door to center console). This scares me because I read someone else's complaint and he said he was hit from behind and the seat and the track itself broke on him.
Would be driving at various speeds and noticed that speedometer would indicate a different speed; either higher or lower than actually traveling. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic test drove vehicle. Had speedometer repaired under warranty. Problem has since reappeared.
Speedometer/odmeter and fuel gauge are not working. Vehicle gave no prior warnings, and shutdown while in motion. Dealership's remedy for fuel gauge and speedometer are for them to be replaced. Defect may have caused consumer into an automobile accident. Sometimes, all of them do work, but may fail while traveling.
Consumer states that the vehicle popped out of gear and went into neutral while making a left hand turn, consumer also states that there are intermittent problems with getting vehicle into gear, vehicle experienced shift and clutch problems.
The speedometer, odometer, trip odometer and gas gauge stop working on an intermittent basis. Generally they resume working on their own, at which time the low fuel warning light comes on for a few seconds and then goes out. I returned the car to the dealer for service on 10 April 00. They could not verify the intermittent problem and did nothing. I hit the top of the dash smartly, which fixed the problem for about six weeks, but now it has returned. Lack of knowledge about speed and fuel is most annoying and dangerous as well.
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.
Speedometer failed. Yh.
Speedometer malfunctioned.
Vehicle experiences a hard shifting problem.
Tackometer sticking.