2000 Ford Contour Problems
The 2000 Ford Contour has 252 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls, with structural problems dominating owner reports. Based on 252 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Structural Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2000 Ford Contour has 252 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Structural Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2000 Ford Contour Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2000 Ford Contour trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2000 Ford Contour Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
FORD CONTOUR 2000 has 252 NHTSA complaints, with structural problems (82) and fuel system issues (38) as top concerns. It also has 7 recalls. Buyers should inspect thoroughly and verify recall completion. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Contour
- Model year
- 2000
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 252
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Top reported component
- Structural Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 28
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2000 Ford Contour problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Structural Problems
Fuel System
Gasoline
Complaint patterns center on Structural Problems, Fuel System, Gasoline. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2000 Ford Contour?
The 2000 Ford Contour is a high-risk purchase due to numerous structural and fuel system complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are verified as completed.
Structural problems and fuel system issues can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards, making pre-purchase inspection critical.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer willing to invest in repairs and who can verify recall completion.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable, low-maintenance used car should avoid the 2000 Contour.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2000 Ford Contour
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the vehicle's structural integrity for rust, damage, or poor repairs.
- Check the fuel system for leaks, corrosion, or faulty components.
- Test all electrical systems, including lights, windows, and dashboard.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect structural components for rust, damage, or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for fuel system and electrical repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2000 Ford Contour, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2000 Ford Contour shows a high volume of owner complaints, particularly for structural problems (82 complaints) and fuel system issues (38 complaints). With 7 recalls and 12 crash-related complaints, buyers should approach this model year with caution. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Only one model year (2000) was analyzed, so no comparison to other years is available.
Recall context: With 7 recalls, it is essential to verify all recall repairs have been performed before purchase.
- Structural problems account for 82 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Fuel system issues total 38 complaints, indicating potential fuel leaks or failures.
- There are 12 crash-related complaints among the 252 total complaints.
- Structural Problems: 82 complaints suggest body integrity or frame issues.
- Fuel System: 38 complaints indicate possible leaks or fuel delivery problems.
- Electrical Faults: 29 complaints point to wiring or component failures.
Full breakdown
All 2000 Ford Contour complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Contour. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Problems | 82 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 38 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 34 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 29 | — | 5 | — | |
| Visibility | 29 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 29 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 20 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 12 | 6 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 11 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Other | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Contour. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 TAKE…
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 MANUFACT…
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 ALABAM…
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…
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
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 RECA…
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 …
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 …
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 LO…
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 D…
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…
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 COMMO…
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 REPLACE…
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
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2000 Ford Contour.
Safety recalls
2000 Ford Contour recalls
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2000 Ford Contour. With 7 recalls, it is essential to verify all recall repairs have been performed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
SUSPENSION
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
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Questions
2000 Ford Contour buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2000 Ford Contour reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 252 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2000 Ford Contour is a high-risk purchase due to numerous structural and fuel system complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are verified as completed. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Contour?▾
#1: Structural Problems (82 complaints). #2: Fuel System (38 complaints). #3: Gasoline (34 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2000 Ford Contour?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2000 Ford Contour?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2000 Ford Contour, NHTSA complaints include 12 crash-related reports and 10 fire reports out of 252 total complaints. 12 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2000 Ford Contour have any recalls?▾
Yes. 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2000 Ford Contour. A major recall area is SUSPENSION. With 7 recalls, it is essential to verify all recall repairs have been performed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2000 Ford Contour?▾
The 2000 Ford Contour is a high-risk purchase due to numerous structural and fuel system complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are verified as completed. Structural problems and fuel system issues can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards, making pre-purchase inspection critical. Pay extra attention to Structural Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Contour reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.