FORD Contour Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD Contour options? We analyzed 1 model years (2000–2000) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a FORD Contour? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
FORD CONTOUR 2000 has 252 NHTSA complaints, with structure (82) and fuel system (38) as top issues. 7 recalls and 12 crash-related complaints highlight safety concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Contour
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2000 (1 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 252
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Fire-related complaints
- 10
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (252 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STRUCTURE
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2000 Ford Contour shows 252 complaints, led by structure (82), fuel system (38), and electrical system (29). With 7 recalls and 12 crash-related complaints, buyers should prioritize inspecting structural integrity and fuel system components. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Structure received 82 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Fuel system complaints totaled 38, indicating potential leaks or failures.
- Electrical system had 29 complaints, suggesting wiring or component issues.
- AIR BAGS: 12 complaints indicate potential deployment or sensor failures.
- STRUCTURE: 82 complaints suggest body rust, panel separation, or integrity issues.
- FUEL SYSTEM: 38 complaints point to leaks, pump failures, or tank corrosion.
The 2000 model year shows 252 complaints, with structure and fuel system as primary concerns.
Data for other years is not provided; no best year can be identified from this dataset.
- Verify all 7 recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Inspect air bag system for proper function and warning lights.
- Request service records for fuel system and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect structure for rust or damage.
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
7 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SUSPENSION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2000. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 252 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
252 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE, LOSE POWER, SURGE AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I HAD JUST GOT ON INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED CUTTING OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FLASHERS ON & TRIED TO GET IN THE LEFT LANE SO I COULD GET ON SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE BUT CARS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO GET OVER. MY CAR DIED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE. I CALLED ASAP (A SERVICE IN ALABAMA FOR HELP ON THE INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FILLER PIPE GROMMET WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,000.
CARS DASHBOARD GOT SO HOT THAT IT CURLED UP CAUSING THE FRONT DEFROSTERS NOT TO WORK AND ALSO PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPILL ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL FILTER GROMMET FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V350000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,400.
INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING, LOOSE BEZEL - THE WARPING MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND DOES CREATE LOOSE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS (SUCH AS THE DEFROST BEZEL) THAT WAS A PROJECTILE DURING A QUICK STOP AT A RED LIGHT - FOR THOSE READING - I DO INCLUDE PERSONAL INFO - MY NAME IS [XXX] IF YOU COULD HELP WITH INFO RE THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISION. THE DEFROST VENT POPPED OUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW DOES NOT FIT. THE CURLING OF THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DECENT DEFROST AND VENTING, WHICH IN ADDITION TO THE 6 INCHES OF DASHBOARD THAT HAS CURLED UP, INTERFERES WITH ADEQUATE SIGHT, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS (STRANGERS) STOP ME OUT-OF-THE-BLUE AND INQUIRE ABOUT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY ALSO HAVE. BASED ON THE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THIS DEFECT, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY FORD! *TR
IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. *TR
VISORS FALL OUT OF ROOF WHEN TOUCHED, HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO. *TR
CAR ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED,A WEEK LATER ENGINE WOULD KILL WHEN DRIVING. CHANGED AIR FILTER,OIL,AND FUEL LINE WAS CLEARED. A MONTH LATER SAME THING IS HAPPENING. MECHANIC SAYS MAY NEED NEW FUEL PUMP,BUT NOT SURE THAT WILL CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR
MY REAR BRAKES WILL NOT STAY ON MY CAR AND KEEP FALLING OFF INTO THE DRUMS. *TR
DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK. *TR
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER IN 2002 IN RESPONSE TO FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 01B78 TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPING. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE WARPING AT THE TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND NO SERVICE WAS REQUIRED. THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, THE WARPING STARTED TO BECOME VISIBLE. EARLIER IN THE MONTH, THE WARPING APPLIED SO MUCH STRESS ON THE VENT COVER THAT THE COVER SNAPPED OUT AND LANDED IN THE FRONT SEATS. THE WARPING INCREASED GREATLY AND VISIBILITY IS REDUCED ON OBJECTS CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. *TR
HAVE EXPERIENCE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM FOR YEARS. A BLOWER CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, CAUSING THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR
I WENT TO START MY CAR ONE NIGHT AND THE KEY WOULD NOT FIT IN THE IGNITION. MY COUSIN HAS TRIED WORKING ON IT AND HE CAN'T EVEN GET THE OLD IGNITION SWITCH OUT OF THE CAR TO REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF A CAR FOR A WEEK AND AFTER RESEARCHING FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS NOT FIXED. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
THE TREAD ON A TIRE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE TREAD PEELED OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY BUMPER, AIR CONDITIONER, WASHING FLUID RESVERVOIR, SPARE TIRE AND HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHTS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *TR
MY 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE STARTING ACTING LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AT AROUND 1/4 TANK. THIS CONTINUED EVERY TIME MY CAR GOT TO 1/4 TANK. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL FILTER $54.90 FOR FILTER AND DIAGNOSTIC ON 3/13/07. IT STILL STUTTERING, HESITATED AND NOW WAS STALLING. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP $297.22 ON 3/28/07. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW IT WAS HAPPENING AT 1/2 TANK. ONCE SUMMER HIT, IT WAS WORSE WITH THE A/C. BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE 2007, MECHANIC REPLACED PUMP ONCE AND FILTER TWICE. ON 6/27/07, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, TANK WAS AT 1/2. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AND THE PROBLEM REMAINED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WITH HESITATING AND STALLING ESPECIALLY UPHILL. ON 8/21/07 REPLACED ALL THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES $234.90. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. MY MECHANIC IS AT HIS WITS END. THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS THE SAME. ON 10/26/07, TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT AGAIN. DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC DUE TO MY CURRENT ONE NOT FINDING THE PROBLEM. REPLACED 2 OXYGEN SENSORS THIS WEEK (11/7 AND 11/9) ONE UPSTREAM AND ONE DOWNSTREAM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. IF THIS IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL UNIT PROBLEM THEN EVERYONE THAT HAS HAD FUEL PUMPS REPLACED WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS NOT ENJOYABLE SINCE I DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY TO WORK AND HALFWAY THERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO IDLE DOWN BEFORE I CAN DRIVE AGAIN OR IT WILL STALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AS THIS HAPPENS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AND FOR NO REASON THE CAR STALLS IN MID DRIVE. SOMEONE WILL GET HURT AND THEN THERE WILL BE A RECALL. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR TAKING MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR STARTS STALLING AND LOSING POWER. IN 9 MONTHS I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000 TO TRY AND FIX A PROBLEM THAT STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR
MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND BURNED UNTIL IT WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE DONE TO MY HOUSE. MY FAMILY ALSO SUFFERED FROM MENTAL TRAUMA. *TR
Showing 20 of 252 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD Contour
These pages show model-year patterns across 1 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Contour, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Contour has 252 complaints on record across 1 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Contour has 7 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 12 of the FORD Contour's 252 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Contour vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Contour vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Contour has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the FORD Contour stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
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By state
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Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD Contour.
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Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
FORD Contour reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD Contour reliable?
Below Average. The FORD Contour has 252 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD Contour years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (252 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD Contour problems?
Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (82 complaints); FUEL SYSTEM (38 complaints); GASOLINE (34 complaints).
Does the FORD Contour have recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD Contour. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.