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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

1998 Ford Contour

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

9

9 current

Combined

10L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,100

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Other

Transport Canada recall 2001205 · manufacturer campaign 01S23

7 August 2001

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1997–1998 · Mystique 1997–1998

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec . The front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire in some cases. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install spring catcher brackets.

23,351 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2001195 · manufacturer campaign 01S22

16 July 2001

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Cougar 1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles. The rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.

28,272 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2000077 · manufacturer campaign 00S03

21 March 2000

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–2000 · Cougar 1999–2000 · Mystique 1996–2000

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. If both PCRVs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install improved PCRVs in the rear brake system.

43,458 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 1999164 · manufacturer campaign 99S23

16 September 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1998 · Mystique 1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the air bag sensor wiring pigtail insulation may become brittle and crack over time due to water accumulation in the protective convolute combined with high under hood temperatures and routing of the pigtail near the radiator. This could result in the air bag warning light illuminating and disabling of the air bag.

What the dealer will do

Air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation will be installed. Also, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed if required.

33,029 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 1999139 · manufacturer campaign 99S19

27 July 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1998 · Cougar 1999 · Mystique 1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire which in turn could cause the accelerator not to return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released. This could result in a vehicle crash.

What the dealer will do

Accelerator cable will be replaced with a revised version which has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded-on end fitting.

17,214 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 1999094 · manufacturer campaign 99S14

19 May 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.

56,107 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Visual System

Transport Canada recall 1998243 · manufacturer campaign CMVSS205

21 December 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1998–1999 · Mystique 1998–1999

What is wrong

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 205 - glazing materials. The windshields on were produced without the "AS1" mark as required by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z26.1. These windshields fully meet all of the requirements of Standard 205.

What the dealer will do

Since the absence of the AS1 mark is highly unlikely to produce any risk of injury, no corrective action will be taken.

31,170 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 1998208 · manufacturer campaign 98S26

21 October 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1998 · Mystique 1995–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection.

What the dealer will do

Automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.

19,492 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 1998050 · manufacturer campaign 98S03

26 March 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1998 · Taurus 1997–1998 · Continental 1998 · Navigator 1998 · and 3 more

What is wrong

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE HEADLIGHT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR.

What the dealer will do

REVISED OWNER GUIDES WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS.

45,205 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Compact
In its class
More efficient than 65% of 89 1998 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
230 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 1998 Ford Contour and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 1998 Ford Contour have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 9 recalls on record for the 1998 Ford Contour. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 1998 Ford Contour get?
NRCan rates the 1998 Ford Contour at 10 L/100 km combined, emitting 230 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 1998 Ford Contour for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,100 in fuel, producing roughly 4,620 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.