Five problems related to transmission fluid leaking have been reported for the 1998 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Was driving down route 322 on day and had to hit the break and all of a sudden they went to the floor. I pulled over and checked my break fluid resivour and it was empty. I think the passenger side drum break is leaking fluid.
Transmission is leaking fluid.
Rack and pinion steering unit started to leak some fluid. Steering wheel would make alot of noise when trying to make turns. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. *akhe rack and pinion unit was replaced with a rebuit unit, the automatic transmission has begun to have problems.
While driving during rain heavy water gets under the transmission, causing it to jerk and shift hard. Also, leaking transmission fluid and a burning smell coming through the heater vents. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.
Automatic transmission slipped badly nearly causing accident as car behind me did not anticipate my car not being able to accelarate as I turned onto a busy road. Second time tranmisson has failed in the vehicle - first at approx 25000 miles. Leaking trans fluid also damge seals to power steering "rack" causing seals to fail competely in less than 300 miles.