VehicleVerdict

2000 Ford Contour problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Ford Contour is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 248 owner complaints run below the Contour median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 79 reports (32% of the total).

248

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Contour years?

Contour NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,323 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 13 complaints1995: 1,323 complaints1996: 858 complaints1997: 314 complaints1998: 1,189 complaints1999: 616 complaints2000: 248 complaints2001: 4 complaints
Contour NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Contour years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Ford Contour problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure7932%
Fuel System4016%
Other2811%
Visibility & Wipers2510%
Electrical System187%
Engine146%
Brakes104%
Airbags94%
Seats52%
Transmission42%
Suspension42%
Seat Belts31%
Speed Control31%
Lighting31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Steering10%

Does the 2000 Ford Contour have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

06E022000BrakesMarch 13, 2006 · 7,440 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.

01V045000BrakesFebruary 14, 2001 · 80 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IF EITHER THE MASTER CYLINDER OR POWER BRAKE BOOSTER IS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVICED WITH ONLY ONE OF THE CORRECT BRAKE BOOSTER OR MASTER CYLINDER PARTS, BRAKE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CONTOUR BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER IN EACH OF THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

00V350000Fuel SystemOctober 30, 2000 · 3,750 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence

IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

00V228001Seat BeltsAugust 18, 2000 · 144,435 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V075000BrakesMarch 9, 2000 · 436,200 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence

IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V361000OtherDecember 29, 1999 · 1,381 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT LABEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR. THIS LABEL CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ACTIVATION OF THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCKS.

Consequence

THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE MAY BELIEVE THE CHILDPROOF SAFETY LOCK WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT WAS NOT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REPLACEMENT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 27, 2012 · crash

“THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE FILLING UP AT THE GAS STATION, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE A FUEL ODOR WAS COMING INSIDE THE VENTS. GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 15, 2004

“WE OWN A 2000 FORD CONTOUR SE. THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD SEPARATED AND CURLED UP, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. I HAVE CHECK FOR A RECALL OR REPORTED OTHER PROBLEMS AN FOUND ONLY A HANDFUL OF COMPLIANTS. WE BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. VISUALLY THE GLUE USED TO SECURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 4, 2004

“NO COOL AIR COMES FROM DRIVERS SIDE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR 3000 MILE SERVICE, CONSUMER THEN TOLD DEALER OF PROBLEM WITH AIR CONDITIONER. THEY ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HEAD QUARTERS IN DETROIT TOLD DEALER TO TAKE OUT THE WHOLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 6, 2000

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STARTER OF THE VEHICLE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. A FIRE WAS STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE CURRENT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 24, 2007 · fire

2000 Ford Contour — common questions

Is the 2000 Ford Contour reliable?

It is close to typical for the Contour: 248 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2000 Contour problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (79 complaints), fuel system (40 complaints), other (28 complaints).

Does the 2000 Ford Contour have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Ford Contour. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Ford Contour under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Contour years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Contour years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999. The cleanest record among Contour years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.