Friday, August 7, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

1998 Ford Contour vs 1999 Ford Contour

Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Metric1998 Ford Contour1999 Ford Contour
NHTSA complaints846419
Recall campaigns42
Service bulletins (TSBs)253182
Investigations72
Crash reports5028
Fire reports2010
NCAP overall rating
EPA MPG (combined)21–2520–25
Median reported mileage85,000 mi60,000 mi

Reported problems side by side

ComponentFord ContourFord Contour
Electrical System13065
Engine and Engine Cooling13252
Power Train12825
Suspension10232
Air Bags9929
Service Brakes, Hydraulic8342
Structure1893
Fuel System, Gasoline6226

Symptoms owners describe

Stalling6437
Airbag warning light410
Electrical failures350
Check engine light228
Vibration / shaking2123
Overheating175
Shifting problems140
Rust / corrosion1214

Compare all Ford Contour 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.