1998 Ford Contour GL from North America - Comments

Dec. 2001 - Recall for wiring;

Dec. 2001 - Replaced Serpentine Belt.

Dec. 2001 - Replaced front rotors & brakes; break warning light never came on; replaced all four tires;

Feb. 2002 - Recall - Gas tank flange: dealer broke a part and installed the tank incorrectly - my regular mechanic found it rubbing on the chassis when I took the car in for a "strange noise";

June 2002 - Check Engine Light: Replaced Tensioner, Serpentine belt (again!), Thermostat, spark plugs (dealer never changed original ones) ; my regular mechanic informed me that the struts were "gone" and needed to be replaced; engine temperature gage on dashboard cycles between the "rm" of Normal, to "al" - unless I turn on the defrost, set to floor/window - then the engine temperature stays on the "rm" of Normal;

July 2002 - Check Engine Light: timing belt and one pulley replaced; Rear brakes need to be replaced - no warning "Brake" light on dash display;

Sept 2002 - Check Engine Light: have not taken it to the mechanic yet - not certain if I want to complete more repairs or just get rid of it!

My 1993 Ford Escort LX wagon was great - hardly any repair issues - So I was comfortable purchasing another Ford product. The car does have one redeming quality - the transmission has been great, thus far. Now my mantra is...

I will not buy another Ford.

I will not buy another Ford.

I will not buy another Ford....

My '98 Ford Contour has been similarly cursed,

although the transmission (and clutch) are still

in great shape.

Struts went in Dec 2001. Fire in the dash

due to the wiring problem. I had this fixed

about 2 months before the recall came out.

Breaks went way too soon. Serpentine belt is

going now.

Plus, the cup holders are really not up to the job

of holding cups. How hard is that?!!?

I will never buy another Ford.

I will never buy another Ford.

I will never buy another Ford.

I have to say I had the same problems with my 1998 Ford Contour GL. The Engine Light stayed on and for weeks they couldn't figure out what the problem was. I found myself stranded THREE times before they realized one of the bolts didn't have any threads in it and caused the belt to slip. Not even a month later I brought it in because the O/D light wouldn't stop flashing. Turns out the 2nd and 4th gears are shot. A 98? New transmission? Scary. Well, I stil have it and plan on keeping it as long as I can. I'm not giving up on it. Three years we've been together - the financing is for 5 years. I'm going to get AT LEAST that much out of it. Would I ever buy a contour again? I needn't worry - they took it off the market. Gee... I wonder why. I wouldn't recommend buying a used one anyone though. Thank you.

I have also had all the problems (O/D, brakes & rotors replaced, all the recalls, water pump, thermostat, fan, belts, etc.) as the above people have had with the Contour. Mine is a 98. This will be my 6th time trying to get the check engine light fixed. I will never buy a Ford again especially because of the attitude of the service department (they say they fixed the problem & it just so happens that when I start it up in their lot, another part breaks & I have to pay again.)

I have had a bad experience with my 2000 Contour SE as well. Everything that can break has in the 2.5 years I have owned it. Even with the extended warranty I have spent close to $8000-$9000 in repairs. I still owe $10,000 for the pay off and the car is only worth $2500.