Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 161 of 846 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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 · Nov 27, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR, THE CAR KICKS THE PUMP OFF AT LEAST TWICE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN THAT. A FEW DAYS AGO, I BECAME FED UP BECAUSE IT STOPPED AND SPEWED GASOLINE BACK ONTO ME, RUINING MY PANTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO COUNT. I PUT 25, BUT IT IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. I AM WORRIED THAT …
Read full complaint
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR, THE CAR KICKS THE PUMP OFF AT LEAST TWICE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN THAT. A FEW DAYS AGO, I BECAME FED UP BECAUSE IT STOPPED AND SPEWED GASOLINE BACK ONTO ME, RUINING MY PANTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO COUNT. I PUT 25, BUT IT IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. I AM WORRIED THAT IT WILL SPEW MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE GAS NEXT TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736937
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736879
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN FUELING IN HOT WEATHER, GASOLINE DOES NOT FLOW FROM PUMP NOZZLE INTO TANK. PUMP SHUTS OFF EVERY FEW CENTS, AND GASOLINE SPURTS BACK OFTEN. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIX, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736837
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2000
Power Train
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOR GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR. AFTER REPAIRS OF VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE FIRST REPAIRED, AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #875394
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE FOR 6-8 MONTHS. SEVERAL DEALERS COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT. CONSUMERS COMPLAINED THAT FUMES WERE MAKING HER SICK. CONSUMER HAS STOPPED DRIVING VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #875211
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Power Train
SAFETY FEATURE ON VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED (FLOOR) WITHOUT PRESSING BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL. EVEN IF VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED OR STARTED CAN SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT SOLENOID HAD BROKEN, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY OF SAFETY RELATED ISSUES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #874986
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2000
Unknown Or Other
CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING,WHILE IN GEAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736012
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Electrical System
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF 3 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. A TOTAL OF 6 SIX TIMES OVER LAST 3 YEARS. EACH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, IT WILL NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROV…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUT OFF. VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF 3 TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. A TOTAL OF 6 SIX TIMES OVER LAST 3 YEARS. EACH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, IT WILL NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874554
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. COST IS 1,500 TO FIX IT. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY RELATED PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH FORDS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #735897
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2000
Seat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS AT A INTERSECTION AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO IT. CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE WAS THROWEN FORWARD. SEAT WAS KNOCKED AT A 45DEGREE ANGLE. SEAT BELT BROKE AND LATCH FAILED. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BROKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE MINER INJURIES.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
7
RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4
Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.
1998 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration