Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Was driving down route 322 on day and had to hit the break and all of a sudden they went to the floor. I pulled over and checked my break fluid resivour and it was empty. I think the passenger side drum break is leaking fluid.
Had vehicle taken in for normal pmi (preventive maintenance inspection) servicing and during inspection-- the rear pcrv (pressure conscious reducing valves were found to be corroded and leaking. This vehicle is operated in wi (salt is used on roadways up here). There is a recall out for this item, but it covers non-ABS vehicles only....... My vehicle has the ABS system. It looks like the recall wasn't expanded far enough..... Problems are still out there!!!!! The technician that did the repair on the car said that he had done that specific recall on other vehicles multiple times, and stated that the replaced pcrvs on my car were the style* valves..... That is why he was concerned and recommended I replace the pcrvs asap--- which was done that day. There was no accident/injury/fatality involved in this incident obviously. But there could have been. …
1) A/C blower shut off and upon investigation a 60 amp fuse broke under the fuse box in the front of the car under the engine hood were damaged. And further inspection showed several open wires coming from the battery and one comming from the fuse box which is believed to have caused the fuse to break. 2) notified by 2 different auto-electrical repair shops they had seen simular damage and informed me off the costs of a replacement wiring harness and labor which ranged from $3800 - $4400. Checking other various web sites showed a lot more people with the same problems which ranged from fires to having to drive with broken fuses or having to pay high amounts to replace it. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The contact purchased brakesafe front disc pads for the vehicle. Approximately 30 miles later, a grinding and rattling noise was heard and an outer lining on the padding fell off. The contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and was informed that the pads were defective. He purchased new pads, which he felt worked as they should have. He attempted to call the auto parts store from where he purchased the defective pads, but they would not assist. He also called the corporate office and received no assistance. The contact filed complaints with the federal trade commission and ohio attorney general. The serial number and part number were unknown. The current mileage was 135,000 and failure mileage was 134,970. Updated 06/25/08. The consumer stated passenger side caliper was warped and the rotor was damaged. Updated 06/25/08
Brake failure. On a 1998 Ford Contour svt (~118,440 miles), the bolt attaching the rear brake caliper resulted in a single point failure to the braking system. While driving north on us 301, just south of laplata, md, I heard a pop and the car felt as if I had run over something, but nothing apeared in the road (from the mirrors). Later when slowing while approaching aa traffic signal, I had no brakes. Thankfully I was on a slight incline and able to gear down and use what little brakes remained to stop the car and crawl it to a parking lot. After having the car towed in, my mechanic told me that one bolt attaching one of the rear calipers had sheared off causing the loss of braking power on the car. The car did not lose any brake fluid during all of this.
Consumer had just put on new brakes. But, 2 days earlier brakes failed while wife was driving, resulting in a head-on collision. Driver and passenger of other vehicle were injured. Consumer states a vehicle suddenly stopped in front of them and when the brakes were applied the vehicle pulled to the left and hit another vehicle head on.
Dt: vehicle started making loud noises and the brakes failed. Caller was driving on a highway and had to pull off the road. Caller said brakes did not work very well when she tried to get the car home. Dealer said the front left rotor broke ,and rear wheel bearing wore out . Manufacturer will not offer any help.
While driving at 40 MPH and coming to a stop and brake pedal was applied, it was hard as if something was keeping it from being pushed. Brakes did not respond at all, causing consumer to strike another vehicle in the rear. Consumer suffered a concussion to the left side of head. The dealer was not contacted.
This car has been nothing but problems, springs, brakes last 4 months,water pumps went at 63,000, tires wear out in less than a year, temperature gauges do not read right. Engine races, solenoid went....very expensive to fix. I do not understand why everyone is having the same problems but no help?
When she applied brakes pedal went all the way to floor. And the brake light stays on constantly. Consumer was going out of driveway/ backing up and applied brakes, and vehicle kept going. Vehicle slid and was involved in a crash. Vehicle at the dealership.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles not equipped with the anti-lock braking system (ABS). A pressure conscious reducing valve (pcrv) in the rear brakes May be subject to corrosion and result in malfunction, when operated in areas that use salt compounds on the roadway for de-icing or dust control.
Remedy: Dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in September 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 Ford contour, Mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.
Brake complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Contour, 11% of the model year's 846 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Contour brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-075 (foundation components, Mar 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Contour brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.