Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the engine is not returning to idle. The accelerator pedal sticks and, when it is released, the engine continues to idle at high rpms. The throttle also sticks while driving between 10-80 MPH. The failure occurs each day under normal weather conditions. The current mileage was 139,653 and failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 09/12/07.
The consumer is experiencing problems with the accelerator cable. When the consumer takes his foot off the pedal the engine does not return to it's lower idling speed. The consumer is also experiencing electrical problems. The air bag light stays flashing. Owner has contacted the dealer and because of the VIN, this vehicle is not included in any recalls relating to the defects of this vehicle.
On 7/25/99, the car accelerated mysteriosly while I was driving on I-75 causing loss of control and accident. Later, notification of throttle cable recall was recieved. Also, check engine light showed problem with oxygen sensor. There was major damage over $5,000 to the car. The air bags failed to deploy and passenger shoulder harness failed to lock.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while traveling on the highway. At approx. 50 or more MPH when vehicle got out of control and hit a guardrail before stopping; also cruise control was not engaged at that time. Dealer notifed. Can NHTSA help or provide additional information on this matter.
When traveling 31 MPH consumer was involved in a head-on collsion in which neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed upon impact. Consumer has contacted the dealer, vehicle was totaled . Vehicle accelerated on its own, lost control, hit an embankment head-on
Whenever foot was released from brake pedal vehicle accelerated when slowing down. This problem happened when cruise control was engaged. Vehicle continued to move while trying to slow down for stop signs or lights. Consumer did not take vehicle to dealership.
Upon pushing in the clutch, vehicle will intermintently maintain RPM or gain RPM until vehicle comes to a complete stop or until it decides to fall back down. Driving conditions do not affect the problem, but vehicle does not maintain an RPM over 5000. Vehicle will also maintain current speed without pressing the gas for a prolonged period of time causing the driver to take it out of gear to stop while car maintains an RPM over 3000. Consulted svt service manager who stated problem was characteristic of vehicle. Manager owns same vehicle and has same problem, and states many customers have same problem as well. He has found no fix for vehicle despite many attempts.
Consumer stated that while driving and taking foot slightly off the accelerator vehicle shut off. This caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle. However, consumer was able to regain power and restart vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who was suppose to fix the problem, but the vehicle was still doing the same thing.
Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to four seperate NHTSA recall notices 99V243000/ 99V194000/ 99V103000 and 98V233000. Also, manufacturer's recalls 99s23/99s19/99s14 and 98s26. Dealer refused to correct the recall problems without the consumer correcting the problem with transmission . Please provide any further details.
Owner received recall notice #99V194000. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle on appointed date. Mechanic repaired headlight switch. Failed to repair the throttle cable due to lack of parts & too many customers. Would need to reorder more parts & would notify owner, who is still waiting. (99s14 repaired) (99s19 waiting for parts).
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger 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 resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel gauge does not read below 1/4
Ford's service bulletin dated December 8, 1997, points out that the fuel gauge will not read above 3/4 tank or below 1/4 tank of fuel.the erroneous fuel gauge reading will indicate significantly more fuel reserve than actually present in the fuel tank.odi has one complaint where the driver alleged that his vehicle ran out of gas due to a false fuel gauge reading.this investigation wasto ascertain facts concerning…
Fuel expulsion during refueling
There is no summary currently available
Fuel expulsion during refueling
There is no summary currently available
Acceleration complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1998 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1998 Ford Contour, 4% of the model year's 846 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Contour acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-194 (vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Contour acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.