1998 Ford Contour Reviews

Passenger side window motor replaced at 70,000 miles.

Power steering rack replaced at 80,000 miles.

I love the Contour SVT - small, easy to drive, nimble, quick (but not a quarter-mile terror).

Great seats, light clutch. Good field of vision all around.

Engine sound above 3500 RPM is incredible.

Drinks premium fuel only, though. Seats 4 adults; however, the back seat area can be cramped.

SVT specific parts are starting to become harder to find from the dealer.

Regular stuff.

I changed the timing belt a few times.

Just replaced the serpentine belt.

Replaced the AC accumulator and recharged the AC system.

ALWAYS used Mobil 1 oil.

The car has been a clock, just won't stop.

Love the car. Has been very reliable on a lot of road trips, and just around the local area. As stated earlier, AC is and has always been ice cold. Can't believe it's still running at 260K.

Check engine light constantly on and off. Had a car repair person hook it up to their computer, and nothing is wrong.

Air conditioner bogging down the car when idling; have to wait til I'm up to speed on highway or interstate before I can even think of turning on the air conditioner.

Just broke down completely at 165,000 miles. Started making a sound like a diesel idling, then died; the mechanic thinks the low end on the engine is going out.

Not a good car if you need a car seat for young children. We could only fit the rear facing car seat in one location in the car, behind the passenger, because my husband needed the seat all the way back on the driver's side. Now we have a forward facing seat, and my 2 year old has barely any foot room.

Back seat can only fit small people, who have short legs.

The trunk is not very big.

2005 when purchased: New serpentine belt, spark plugs, wires, filters, transmission flush, coolant flush, undercoat.

New rear strut in 2005.

New exhaust flex joint in 2006. Kept rest of stainless exhaust system; have only replaced mufflers.

New front/rear brakes disks/drums pads 2009.

New battery 2008.

New tie rod 2009.

Great car with very few issues.

Transmission, fuel pump, steering, sensors.

I hate this car, everything has gone wrong.

First car I have ever bought outright and paid cash for. BIG mistake, biggest HUNK OF CRAP I have ever seen. Has caused me more stress and anxiety than any car ever should.

Every time I get behind the wheel, I pray that I get to where I need to go safely and without a tow truck.

Days after I bought it, the transmission went out on the freeway!

Take these words wisely, just pay the extra 1,000 and get a Dodge or Toyota. Fords are nothing but problems.

I had a problem with the cooling system, because the previous owner did not put any coolant in it. It cost me around 800 dollars to have it fixed.

I had the brakes replaced at 125000

I had new tires put on at 135000.

All the issues with my car have been very minor.

It's a 4 cylinder manual tranny.

The passenger window has a broken clip and won't roll back up.

The rails for the seats don't let you adjust the seat.

The battery light stays on.

The trunk won't stay open (has caused many head injuries).

The steering wheel is peeling.

However despite all of this, this car has been ridiculously reliable for me.

I only have the oil changed every 5-7000 miles.

I have not done any other maintenance on this car, and it has been running like a champ for all three years and 50,000 miles.

I love my Contour, but now I am afraid because the check engine light just came on and it has started to leak oil.

However after reading all these reviews, I am genuinely shocked that it's still running.

Oh, and I have been in THREE accidents.

I guess I must be lucky.