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1998 Ford Contour: transmission slipping

13 of the 844 complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour describe transmission slipping.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 47 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Transmission slipping by model year

  • 1998
    13
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    4
  • 1995
    5

What owners say

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Transmission · 84,224 miles · LA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission slipped out of gear. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic, but the dealership and manufacturer were alerted. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 98v233000, regarding the automatic transmission floor shift; however, it was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Feb 15, 2006 · Transmission · 84,218 miles · LA

Dt*: the contact stated the transmission slipped out of gear between 10-50 MPH. The engine revved when this occurred. The gear shifter is moved to a lower gear then back to drive, but the transmission does not go back into gear. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic.

Filed Apr 4, 2004 · Transmission · CO

Transmission slips and jerks when shifting.

Filed Oct 18, 2003 · Transmission · 97,056 miles · MS

Transmission starting slipping on major interstate during rush hour traffic...I have read so many complaints on this and many other sites about these cars and I feel that a recall on these transmissions should go into effect before there is a fatality...

Filed Aug 25, 2003 · Transmission · 121,600 miles · TN

Automatic transmission failed in 2001 (see odi # 759046 submitted 3/02). Transmission was rebuilt and remained in service until 2003. In june 2003, transmission began slipping under normal city driving conditions and was taken to independent mechanic for inspection and service. Transmission was deemed "unrebuildable" and replaced with new ford automatic transmission.

Filed Jun 15, 2002 · Steering, Transmission · VA

Automatic transmission slipped badly nearly causing accident as car behind me did not anticipate my car not being able to accelarate as I turned onto a busy road. Second time tranmisson has failed in the vehicle - first at approx 25000 miles. Leaking trans fluid also damge seals to power steering "rack" causing seals to fail competely in less than 300 miles.

Filed May 22, 2002 · Transmission · WI

While driving engine light came on and transmission slipped when changing gears which was caused by transmission failure.

Filed Mar 15, 2002 · Transmission · MI

While driving, the transmission slips and sticks upon changing gears.*ak

Filed Mar 7, 2002 · Transmission · TN

Transmission began slipping and soon failed entirely under normal city driving conditions; transmission has been rebuilt and car is still in service.

Filed Jan 31, 2001 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

After noticing a whining sound at approximately 30 MPH in second gear and an increase in vibration when the air conditioner was on, the transmission was rebuilt on 10/10/98, on 8/3/2000 the transmission was replaced because of sudden and violent slipping, on 8/28/00 check engine light came on because oxygen sensor had been disconnected while transmission was replaced, sensor reconnected/replaced. Cj

Filed Nov 7, 2000 · Transmission · NC

Transmission slips and jerks and can't be driven for long periods of time. Cost is 1,500 to fix it. I don't have the money to fix it. This is obviously a factory related problem. I am very displeased with fords.

Filed Feb 3, 2000 · Transmission · IL

Whle driving in first gear transmission felt like it was slipping out of gear. The same happend when it was in third gear.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported September 18, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

Recall number 98V233000 · Recall details

Questions about the 1998 Ford Contour slipping

Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 1998 Ford Contour?

13 of 844 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Contour (2%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 1998.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Ford Contour?

There is 1 recall and 47 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 1998 Ford Contour

Coil spring 68Airbag light 43Stalling 43Check engine light 33Headlights 31Fire or smoke 21Grinding brakes 20Transmission failure 17No deployment 16Overheating 15ABS 14Won't start 14Engine failure 13Jerking 13Loss of power 10Brake failure 8Fuel leak 8Power steering loss 8Sudden acceleration 8Fuel pump 7Seat belt 7Tire blowout 7Knocking 6Fuel gauge 6Adaptive cruise 5Pulling 5

All model years of the Ford Contour

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