The problem
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.
The risk
This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
The fix
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-233 (98V233000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift |
| Report date | September 18, 1998 |
| Owners notified | November 20, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 175,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
- 1995 Ford Contour transmission problems 126
- 1996 Ford Contour transmission problems 77
- 1997 Ford Contour transmission problems 30
- 1998 Ford Contour transmission problems 128
- 1995 Mercury Mystique transmission problems 53
- 1996 Mercury Mystique transmission problems 30
- 1997 Mercury Mystique transmission problems 9
- 1998 Mercury Mystique transmission problems 38
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-233 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 175,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.