1998 Chevrolet Prizm vs 1998 Ford Contour
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1998 Chevrolet Prizm | 1998 Ford Contour |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 27 | 846 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 22 | 253 |
| Investigations | 0 | 7 |
| Crash reports | 6 | 50 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 20 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–29 | 21–25 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | 85,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Prizm | Ford Contour |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 130 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 132 |
| Power Train | 1 | 128 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 99 |
| Suspension | 2 | 102 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 83 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0 | 62 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 43 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 64 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 41 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 35 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 22 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 21 |
| Overheating | 0 | 17 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 14 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 12 |
1998 Chevrolet Prizm
1998 Ford Contour
Compare all Chevrolet Prizm vs Ford Contour years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.