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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2001

Ford Contour recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns and 3,140 owner complaints for the Ford Contour, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The 1995 model year drew the most complaints (891), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Ford Contour VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 22 recall campaigns on file
  • 3,140 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (1995–2001)
  • most complaints: 1995 (891 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (581 complaints)
  • latest recall 01V255000 (reported Aug 8, 2001)
  • 171 complaints reporting a crash (5.4%)
  • 130 complaints reporting a fire (4.1%)
  • 128 complaints reporting an injury (4.1%)
  • 6 complaints reporting a death (0.2%)

Ford Contour complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 model year has the most complaints: 891 of 3,140, or 28.4%. Next come 1998 (846) and 1996 (563). The fewest are for 2001, with 4 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Ford Contour owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2001Column chart of 3,140 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 1995 with 891. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 891 complaints89119951996: 563 complaints56319961997: 218 complaints21819971998: 846 complaints84619981999: 419 complaints41919992000: 199 complaints19920002001: 4 complaints42001
Ford Contour complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Ford Contour complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
19958913965302
19965633524250
1997218111070
19988465020374
19994192810220
20001998170
200140000
All model years3,1401711301286

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Ford Contour components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 581 complaints (18.5% of all 3,140), followed by Electrical System (551) and Power Train (391).

Components named most often in Ford Contour complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Ford Contour complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling58118.5%
Electrical System55117.5%
Power Train39112.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2768.8%
Suspension2768.8%
Fuel System, Gasoline2437.7%
Structure2267.2%
Air Bags2156.8%
Visibility2076.6%
Exterior Lighting1695.4%
Steering1685.4%
Unknown or Other1615.1%
Equipment1254.0%
Vehicle Speed Control1254.0%
Seat Belts1073.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Ford Contour recalls

22 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Contour, newest first. The 22 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2000. The 1998 model year appears in the most campaigns (9).

  • 22 recall campaigns
Ford Contour recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 8 campaigns1996: 8 campaigns1997: 5 campaigns1998: 9 campaigns1999: 3 campaigns2000: 5 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 01V255000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built at the Kansas city assembly plant and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.

    Consequence:
    Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install spring catcher brackets. Owner notification began October 23, 2001. 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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 01V230000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model years 1996–1998

    On certain MY 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the Kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on MY 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.

    Consequence:
    The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began August 29, 2001. 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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 01V045000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder; Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum

    Model year 2000

    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 00V367000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Model years 1995–1996

    Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0L and 2.5L engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor temperatures.

    Consequence:
    Overheating of the cooling fan motor due to excessive current can result in smoke and odors from bearing grease, insulation and other internal motor components. If electrical current continues to be applied to the motor, internal motor components could ignite possibly igniting other engine compartment components.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or 100,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle already has more than 100,000 miles, this coverage will last until July 31, 2001.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 00V350000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model years 1998–2000

    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 00V228001

    Reported

    Seat Belts

    Model year 2000

    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  7. NHTSA campaign 00V075000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components

    Model years 1996–2000

    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  8. NHTSA campaign 99V361000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2000

    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  9. NHTSA campaign 99V247000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap

    Model year 1996

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fuel filler pipe vent hose may have less than the intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in the hose becoming brittle and cracking.

    Consequence:
    A cracked hose could result in fuel leakage when the vehicle is being fueled.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of PVC and nitrile rubber.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  10. NHTSA campaign 99V243000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensor wiring pigtail insulation can become brittle and crack over time due to accumulation of water in the pigtail protective convolute in combination with high underhood temperatures related to the routing of the wiring pigtail near the radiator. This can result in environmental stress cracking of the insulation.

    Consequence:
    In some cases, the air bag warning light can illuminate and the air bag supplemental restraint system disabled.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install air bag sensors with revised wiring insulation. In addition, vehicles which have the air bag warning light illuminated will have a new air bag diagnostic monitor installed.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Show 12 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 99V194000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The accelerator cable may have been manufactured with a burr on or near the end of the cable sleeve interior. This burr could fray the core wire resulting in the accelerator not returning to idle when the accelerator is released.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in the throttle sticking, binding, or causing high engine RPM.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a revised accelerator cable that has a flared conduit sleeve end and molded on end fitting.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 99V103000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

    Model years 1996–1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 99V060000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with automatic transmissions which utilize a park/lock solenoid. It is possible to rotate the ignition key to the lock position and remove the key without the shift lever and transmission being in park. These vehicles do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 114, "theft protection."

    Consequence:
    This could result in a crash and possible personal injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect these vehicles. Vehicles that have units with ignition keys removable in gear positions other than park, will have the steering column replaced.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V233000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift

    Model years 1995–1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 98V028000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model year 1998

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 97V225000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control › Cables

    Model years 1995–1996

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the traction control option. The throttle cables were damaged during vehicle assembly leading to fraying or separation of the throttle cable.

    Consequence:
    This condition could prevent the engine from returning to idle.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  7. NHTSA campaign 97V203000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Other › Storage

    Model years 1996–1997

    Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles modified to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). The natural gas fuel tanks have a solenoid shut-off valve that stops fuel flow from the fuel tank in the event of certain moderate to severe collisions. If the vehicle is in a collision and the natural gas fuel line is damaged, the system could leak natural gas.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Ford has requested owners of these vehicles to have the CNG fuel system disabled under a previous recall campaign and to only use gasoline fuel until a permanent corrective action is developed. Owners are being alerted to this solenoid valve concern at this time. The timing of corrective actions is being delayed to allow both conditions to be remedied at one time. In the meantime, there is not risk as long as the natural gas system has been disabled and the vheicle is only operated on gasoline.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  8. NHTSA campaign 95V232000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap

    Model year 1995

    The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement, constructed from two separately molded pieces, can leak at the weld.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the fuel tank assemblies with units containing one-piece molded reinforcements.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  9. NHTSA campaign 95V228000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 1995

    Cracks have been found in the front safety belt outboard anchor tabs due to a combination of hydrogen embrittlement of the tab and stress introduced during attachment of the anchor tab to the seat frame. This does not conform with the requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: a fracture or separation in this area would reduce the load that the anchor and the front safety belt anchorages could sustain, increasing the risk of injury in a vehicle collisoin.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and install an anchor tab reinforcement or replacement of the complete front seat belt assembly if an anchor tab is found to have fractured.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  10. NHTSA campaign 95V009000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield

    Model year 1995

    The glass tempering process on the right hand rear door windows was not correctly performed. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 205, "glazing materials."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: if the window breaks, the glass fragments of the rear windows exceed the size specifications of FMVSS No. 205.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the right rear door glass.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  11. NHTSA campaign 94V203000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap

    Model year 1995

    The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  12. NHTSA campaign 94V184000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap

    Model year 1995

    A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can develop a static electrical charge during refueling of the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    A static charge can discharge and serve as an ignition source for fuel vapors in the area of the filler pipe, resulting in a flash vapor ignition and a vehicle fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, modify the vehicles by adding a ground strap between the filler pipe shield and the body.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Ford Contour questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Ford Contour have?

NHTSA lists 22 vehicle recall campaigns for the Ford Contour, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The most recent, 01V255000, was reported on August 8, 2001 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 1998 model year is covered by the most campaigns (9).

Which Ford Contour model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 model year, with 891 of the 3,140 complaints in NHTSA’s file (28.4%). The next are 1998 (846) and 1996 (563). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Ford Contour complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 581 complaints, or 18.5% of all 3,140. Electrical System (551) and Power Train (391) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Ford Contour?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Ford dealer.

How many Ford Contour complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 3,140 complaints, 171 report a crash, 130 a fire, 128 at least one injury and 6 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Ford models

8 models · most complaints first

The Ford models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Ford VIN decoder with every Ford model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Ford F-150 1995–2027 · 158 recalls · 35,790 complaints
  • Ford Explorer 1995–2027 · 131 recalls · 31,089 complaints
  • Ford Escape 2000–2026 · 95 recalls · 27,343 complaints
  • Ford Fusion 2006–2020 · 46 recalls · 22,383 complaints
  • Ford Focus 1999–2018 · 36 recalls · 22,086 complaints
  • Ford Windstar 1995–2005 · 33 recalls · 14,108 complaints
  • Ford Edge 2004–2024 · 43 recalls · 14,009 complaints
  • Ford Taurus 1995–2019 · 52 recalls · 12,702 complaints

All Ford models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.