Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 vehicle was taken to the repair shop for regularly scheduled maintenance. The mechanic stated that the front passenger side coil spring failed. In 2001, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 01V255000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The dealer inspected the vehicle at that time and stated that no repair was needed. However, now that the failure has occurred, the manufacturer stated that the recall was no longer valid. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 81,000. Updated 01/09/08. The consumer stated the coils springs have been replaced twice in this vehicle. The dealer stated replaced headlight switch and cable in engine. Updated 12/12/07 updated 06/04/08.
I currently am the second owner of a 1998 Ford Contour. Recently the parking, and dashboard lights ceased to operate. I changed the headlight switch which lasted for a week and burned out.. Research on the internet revealed there was a service recall dated 5/10/99 under serial #99v10300 for the headlight harness which was causing the above described problem. I contacted Ford who stated their was no open recall on this vehicle. Further research on the internet revealed additional owners who had the same problem but were informed by Ford that their particular vehicle was not covered under the recall. My complaint is if so many Ford Contour models are having this problem why are only certain vehicles covered when many are having identical problems thankyou
I own a 1998 Ford Contour. I have been having several problems with the headlamps. The passenger side headlamp hold moisture inside and the driver side is starting to do the same thing. Not only this but both headlamps go out of aim every so often. When the lights are on low beam I can't see ten feet in front of the car and I have to drive with the high beams on so I can see what is in front of me. This has caused four near misses. Two with deers, one with a mail box, and on with another car. I don't know if the moisture in the headlights has anything to do the brightness of the headlights themselves. When I had the headlights aimed for the third time I asked the dealer about the moisture problem and they said I would have to replace both the headlights.
Ford will not repair a recall (99s14) on my 1998 Contour se due to the fact that my specific VIN number is not included in the recall, although the year is in the recall. The problem is the same. (instrument panel lights and tail lights not working when headlights are turned on.) the description of the Ford recall 99s14 is the same as my observed problem. Unsafe to drive car at night. No correction has been performed. Ford should take responsibility for this known recall.
1998 Ford Contour. Headlight connector over heated resulting in loss of tail lights and parking lights and instrument panel illumination. Terminal 15 of connector was burned. Safety recall 99s14 addresses this problem but Ford dealer says this car was not covered by the recall. . I installed Ford kit f5rz14a411ba and fixed the problem. Why was this car not covered by the recall or is the Ford dealer mistaken? Should the recall be expanded? I saved the old connector.
On 98 Ford contours both of the headlights form condensation on the inside and then become pitted. This greatly reduces the visibility at night and during stormy weather. We have changed the bulbs but not the entire headlight assembly. When we went to look for a set of headlights we discovered that all the used sets have the exact same problem. The lights need to be replaced and this problem is occurring on all Ford contours and its Mercury counterpart.
When turning headlights on, tail lights and interior panel lights do not come on. This is a known problem (NHTSA campaign number 99V103000). However, Ford says that it is not their responsibility because of the vehicle identification number [redacted]. Updated 07/19/2012
Constant problems with the vehicle. Alternator, fuel tank, gear shift indicator, computer sensor's (variable cam timing over retarded), automatic shift labored and fails, cooling fan motor, etc. This vehicle is in some form of repair shop on a regular basis. Have I driven a Ford lately? Yes, and sorry I chose to do so.
Dealership replaced the bronze terminals, but refused to replace the headlight switch as stated in the headlight switch/wire harness recall 99V103000. Instrument panel lights and headlights were not working properly.
Over a period of time the headlight lens faded. This made it difficult to see while driving at night. The dealership has been notified, but did not resolve the problem. Please provide any additional information.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Headlight complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Ford Contour, 6% of the model year's 846 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Contour headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-103 (switch, May 5, 1999); NHTSA recall 98V-028 (headlights, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Contour headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.