The 1998 Ford Contour has 143 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
143
Transmission complaints
12%
Share of year
3
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
“WAS ON I65 WAS DRIVING FINE HIRD A LOUD EXPLOSION ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP A PIECE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASING WENT INTO MY TIRE CAUSING A BLOW OUT, CAR BECAME OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT GAURDRAIL. *TT”
NHTSA has 143 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour transmission — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V233000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.