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1998 Ford Contour lights problems

50 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 87,000.

owner complaints
50
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
87,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Headlights
    21
  • Headlights: switch
    9
  • Back up lights
    3
  • Turn signal: flasher unit
    2
  • Turn signal
    2
  • Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch
    2
  • Brake lights
    2
  • Tail lights: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Contour lights problems in other years

199519961997199819992000

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Contour lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 31

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: headlights: switchReported May 5, 1999 · 605,581 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
Risk
The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
Remedy
Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.

Recall number 99V103000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported February 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
Remedy
Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details

What 1998 Ford Contour owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 14, 2009 · Lights · 87,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · Lights · 85,400 miles · NY

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

Filed Sep 20, 2007 · Engine, Lights · 73,000 miles · MA

Tl*the 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 the federal safety agency 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. *lj 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 *tr updated 06/04/08.

Filed Sep 14, 2006 · Lights · PA

Headlights do not provide sufficient illumination.

Filed Jul 31, 2006 · Lights · WV

The headlight in the consumer's 1998 ford contour do not illuminate the road enough while driving at night. *kb visibility is especially bad while driving at night in the rain because the lights fog up. The consumer has almost had an accident because of the headlights.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Lights · VA

I have a 1998 ford contour that the dashboard lights and rear taillights have stopped working, while the headlights continue to function. The cause was the wiring overheating and I had to replace the wiring harness and the switch. I did some research online and located a recall nhsta campaign 99v103000 for the 1998 ford contour for this exact problem, but according to the dealership my car was not included in the recall. I have had to pay for the work out of pocket, but I am wondering if it was in error than my car was not included.

Filed May 1, 2006 · Lights · 70,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 1, 2006 · Lights · 109,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Lights · 99,100 miles · VA

When turning headlights on, tail lights and interior panel lights do not come on. This is a known problem (the federal safety agency campaign number 99v103000). However, ford says that it is not their responsibility because of the vehicle identification number [xxx]. Updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Lights · OR

When driving the vehicle at night, the driver noticed that the headlights were dim. The consumer will take the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. Please provide any further details.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Contour lights

Does the 1998 Ford Contour have lights problems?

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Ford Contour, 6% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Contour lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 87,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Contour lights?

Yes, 2 recalls: 99V103000, 98V028000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Contour have the most lights problems?

The Ford Contour model years with the most lights complaints are 1996 (72 complaints), 1998 (50 complaints) and 1995 (27 complaints).

Other 1998 Ford Contour problems

Engine 134Electrical 130Transmission 127Suspension 102Airbags 99Brakes 91Fuel system 71Visibility 41Seats 35Acceleration 33Steering 33Body 18Seat belts 18Tires 13Wheels 12Locks 6Driver assistance 2

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