1998 Ford Contour Wheel & Tire Problems

Which parts fail

• Hub
  3
• Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
  2
• Sidewall
  1
• Hubcap/cover
  1
• Rim
  1
• Tread/belt
  1

Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).

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).

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?

On January 15, 2000 I had my tires rotated on my 98 Ford Contour at a tire dealer. They informed me that the right rear wheel on my car was cracked all the way through and was dangerous to drive. They advised that I talk to the dealer from which I purchased this car. On January 19,2000 I took my car into sunset Ford to have recall work done. At that time I informed them of the cracked wheel. They told me that wheels are not covered under warranty. I have an invoice from the dealer to verify their position. I left this same car at a repair shop on 5-1-00. They called me the following day to inform me that 3 of the wheels on this car are cracked all the way through. I contacted Ford at their corporate headquarters on 5-3-00. They informed me that they have no recall notices out on this car for defective wheels, and therefore I am obligated to replace these wheels at my own expense. …

I purchased my car in June 98 and before leaving the lot the service department had to replace both of the rear tires due to defects. They could not determine the exact problem. Therefore the tires were replaced. Since then I have had to replace the front tires in feb 2000. This was due to the tread seperation and extensive wear. At the same time I was told that the front brakes were bad and that I needed new brakes and rotors. The tires and brake job cost 481.93. Now I had 2 flat tires on the same tire within 3 weeks of each other and now the back brakes need replacing. I feel that these repairs are due to defective parts. I have already taken my car back to Ford for at least 6 manufacturer recalls. I do not feel safe driving this car. The car sensor light has been replaced and replaced but it still comes on all the time. …

Fusebox: bought car in July 1999, had to have three recalls fixed, one of them was on the air bag sensor, we went and had one of the recalls corrected, the next week we were scheduled to have the remaining two finish, on Wednesday of that week the air conditioner stopped working while we were driving home from work, we had the mechanic check it that Friday when they fixed the air bag sensor, the mechanic said the fuse box was broken and needed to be replaced, he replaced the fuse box (free of charge) and we went on our way, then on 8/14/2000 as we were again driving home from work on the expressway at about 55 the air conditioner died again, we read through the car manual and found the correct fuses to the blower motor and A/C, we changed those fuses, that didn't fix the problem, we then changed the relays, (which were very hard to get replacements for), that didn' t fix it either, …

Transmission has a defect, there is a slip when you applying gears. Also, brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor, and grabs a little bit. Dealership is aware of problem. Brakes have failed, on one occasion consumer almost hit a child, brake pedal slips from under foot. Emergency brake is only effective 50 percent of the time. Transmission intermittently changes gears roughly, at times jarring occupants in the vehicle. Possible electrical problem: light of the clock has burned out twice, consumer states there are shorts in the dashboard, causing the heater or A/C to only have one speed working, dome lights work intermittently, light under dash works intermittently, warning bell does not chime all the times it should, consumer states a sensor causes heater to act as the ac and vice versa. …

The front wheels on the 1998 Ford Contour were severely cracked. The rear of the wheel, the crack continued toward the rim, then curled to the right. The vehicle was taken to the nearest Ford dealer and was told that since the vehicle was out of warranty the manufacturer would not pay to replace the wheels . The consumer believes that the manufacturer should pay for replacing the wheels.

While driving at about 5mph and making a right turn right front wheel came off due to loose lugs: nuts. Dealer has seen vehicle. Consumer states the vehicle has experienced problems with the following: fuel filter, spark plugs, transmission, cv boot, brakes, air filter, wire, rotors need turning, timing gear, timing belt, and vehicle will not start.

Firestone p 185/70r14 87s m&s ft70-c I have these tires and just yestereday noticed a "bump" I returned home to find the l front tire had a section of the total tread down to the wires missing this is a section about 3x4 inches. The other tire r front shows no changes.

Coil spring on the right front of car broke. Replacement of the following was necessary: shock absorber, cb spring, d boot, bearing assemnbly, aa seat, mounting assy, halfshaft assembly, cv joint assembly, brake shoes, disc brake rotor, tires.

Pe00-020; Firestone firehawk gta, p20560r15, original equipment for Ford Contour 1998 with 14,300 miles . All 4 tires cracked from tread all the way around the tire. Consumer was advised to go slow on roads, and avoid highways.

Wheel & Tire complaints in other Contour years