Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

What owners actually said

846 reports

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2002

Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010314

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2002

Suspension

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED, MECHANIC STATED VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED,.CONSUMER DISAGREED AND STATED VEHICLE STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR SERVICE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010139

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2002

Exterior LightingPower Train

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I KNOW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CONTOURS AS I HAVE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THROUGH A PRIVATE PARTY AND TOOK OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH MY CREDIT UNION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COVERED BUT THE SIGNALS AND THE SHIFTER LEVER WAS NOT COSTING ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER IS FORCED TO RECALL THE PARTS. I READ THE COMMENTS ON THE TRANSMISSIONS AND IT IS AMAZING THAT EVERYONE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING, IT GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762068

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2002

Electrical System

ALTERNATOR ORIGINALLY REPLACED ON 06/04/2001,PART FAILED ON 05/16/2002. *AK

NHTSA ODI #762007

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2002

Suspension

CASING AROUND COIL SPRINGS OF RECALL 01I013000 DOES NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO CARRY 15 INCH TIRES WHICH ARE RECOMMEND FOR VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FINAALY AGREED TO ADJUST THE SHILEDS, HOWEVER WHEN HE WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT NEW SHIE…

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NHTSA ODI #8009768

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002

Visibility

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DURING THE WINTER I TURNED ON MY HEATING UNIT AND IT WOULD NOT BLOW UNLESS IT WAS ON HIGH. I WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY TURN MY HEAT OFF AND ON BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO HOT THEN TOO COLD. I NOTICED ON REAL COLD DAYS THE HEATING SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION ON MILDER DAYS THE HEATING SYSTEM WOULD WORK CORRECTLY. MY WINDOW WOULD GET OFF TRACT AND I WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY SET THE WINDOW IN PLACE WHILE I RAISE THE WINDOW. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761719

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002

Visibility

SMELLING A BURNT ODOR COMING FROM THE HEATER VENTS.

NHTSA ODI #9006325

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002

Seat BeltsInjury

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I HAVE EXPERIENCE DEFECTS WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BELTS ARE CONSTANTLY JAMMING. THEREFORE, I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY SECURE MY CHILDREN OR MYSELF WHEN DRIVING. ALSO THE BUCKLE DOES NOT FASTEN. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY WOULD NOT. ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY THE BELT JAMMED FOR MY SIX YEAR OLD AND THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LOCK FOR MY THREE YEAR OLD. I PROCEEDED TO TURN LEFT (AFTER TWO CARS GAVE MY THE RIGHT OF WAY) INTO A PARKING LOT WHILE TRAFFIC WAS AT A STAND STILL. ALL OF A SUDDEN A CAR SPEEDS BY AND FORCED ME TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. WHEN I DID THIS BOTH MY CHILDREN HEADS HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER CAR SEATS. I BEGAN TO WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED A DEALER TO GET THEM CHECK OUT AND FIXED AND I AM CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #761685

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2002

Suspension

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SPRING PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE TIRE.*JB. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8008968

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

OUR 98 CONTOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR STALLS AT ABOUT 40 MPH OR LESS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY RAN A D…

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OUR 98 CONTOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE CAR STALLS AT ABOUT 40 MPH OR LESS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE SAID IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR . ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO RUN ALRIGHT FOR AWHILE THEN ENGINE COMES BACK ON AND THE STALLING OF THE ENGINES STARTS UP AGAIN. SISTER HAS THE SAME CAR IT IS A 1996 FORD CONTOUR HER VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING SHE TOOK HERS IN THEY TOLD HER THE SAME THING THAT IT IS THE OXGEN SENSOR. ALSO HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE CONTOUR THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN IT STALLS YOU LOSE ALL POWER CAN BE DANGEROUS IF TURNING A CORNER OR CURVE IN ROAD. MY CAR FINALLY STALLED AGAIN AND NOW IT WILL NOT START STALLED AT ABOUT 40MPH WAS ONEXITING HIGHWAY HAD NO BREAK POWER OR POWER STEERING.THIS COULD END UP BEING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY SEEM TO BE UNRESPONSIVE.

NHTSA ODI #761351

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

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 & remedy

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.

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

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 & remedy

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.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 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 & remedy

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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 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 & remedy

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

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.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 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 & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗