Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dashboard warped and separated from the body of vehicle. This caused the defroster not to work properly and made it difficult for the driver to judge the distance of the vehicle in front of his vehicle. The transmission also experienced delayed shifting.
Intermittently vehicle would not start or when it does, it is unable to shift out of gear. Also, unable to remove key from iginition switch after turning vehicle off. Vehicle was taken to dealer shop on two occasions, and informed that they could not duplicate problem. Provide any further information on this matter.
I have a 1999 Ford Contour I bought it and 6 months later the timing belt went out this cost me $800.00 out of pocket after the warranty paid their part. Drove it another 3 months when it stalled out and started sputtering I replaced the plugs, wires, ignition control box, and fuel filter and found a hose that had a hole in it from being melted after replacing all of that found the transmission to be leaking and no way to get to it easily. Still ran crappy took it to a garage and was told they could not figure it out brought it home and it won't run anymore it still does not run not sure what else to do had to buy another vehicle to get to and from work while still paying on this one and can not use it anymore. This is my second Ford and I will not ever get another one. And with all this going on when the mechanic shut the back passenger the glass shattered and it was shut normally. …
Dt: the consumer could hear the radiator coming on/over and over again. Previously it overheated in June 2004. When the consumer took vehicle to dealer for repairs they changed the thermostat, added more water to the radiator, and something else in the transmission area. When the consumer picked up the vehicle the problem recurred. Afterwards, there was a rattling noise coming from the dashboard. They told her that it was due to a bracket that broke.. Dealer replaced the radio. The consumer stated that the air conditioner was no longer working properly since they replaced the radio. Also, the dashboard was loosening and there were wires showing. The front driver's side window knob came off. These were the only known problems with the vehicle at this time. There had been no accidents concerning these issues.
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.
My daughter drove my 1998 6 cyl Contour automatic on route 95 from stoneham to wakefield, ma (one highway exit). The car was behaving normally and had behaved normally until that point. A servo cover fell off of the transmission. That allowed all of the transmission fluid to pour out of the transmission in seconds. The servo cover, a three inch diameter piece of heavy metal shaped like a frisbee, nearly hit a motor cyclist. The car coasted to a stop near 128 Ford of wakefield, ma. Their service writer, ludlow, told me that this is a relatively common occurrence with the Ford Contour. That opinion was reinforced by two employees of fna transmission repair of wakefield. I called Ford. I was told that they have no knowledge of this ever happening to a Contour. I asked the customer service rep to file a report, and I told him that I would as well. …
Cd4e transmission in 1998 Ford Contour gl (same complaint as the c4de in the Mazda 626). Transmission needed to be rebuilt due to the tss sensor breaking and falling inside the transmission - which stopped the pump and caused vehicle to become inoperable. The sensor is in the driver's side fenderwell, where it is exposed to road hazards and environmental conditions. Not a good design. Furthermore, the repair costs $3000 for a new transmission and all this happened because Ford put the sensor in a position where it can break and cause significant damage. It's a lousy design. The sensor should be somewhere under the hood - not in the fenderwell.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. While attempting to shift gears, the gear indicator displayed an inaccurate reading. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 98V233000 (powertrain:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift). The vehicle has not been repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 78,000. Updated 01/29/08 updated 01/29/08
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
NHTSA investigations
Incorrect gear indication
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (128), 1995 (126), 1996 (77), 1997 (30) and 1999 (25) model years. Transmission complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-233 (floor shift, Sep 18, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Contour transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (217 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (37).
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.