IllustrationI WAS DRIVING IN THE EVENING RETURNING HOME-I BRAKED FOR THE RED LIGHT AND HEARD METAL ON METAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND JERKED TO A STOP-I HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY REPAIRS DONE-FAILURE OF THE CALIPERS, ROGER AND LASER ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. *JB
2000 Ford Contour
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Contour do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 218.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Contour years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2825–50K
2150–75K
1575–100K
9100–150K
6150K+
87 reports with mileage · 112 unknown
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.
- Structure. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
199 reportsWHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD UNEXPECTEDLY BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK *SC *JB
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD IS PEELING AND THE HEAT/AIR DOES NOT CIRCULATE PROPERLY. IT IS BEGINNING TO COVER THE VENTS, AND THE WINDSHIELD CANNOT BE CLEARED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THEY HAVE SEEN VEHICLES WORST THAN HIS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COSMETIC PROBLEM.*AK
CAR HESITATES, SPUTTERS AND STALLS. AFTER TOWED STARTS WITH NO PROBLEM. ALSO,HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LAST SUMMER. SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPATURES ARE HOT.*AK
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT 88,000 MILES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT AN AUCTION. THE FED GOV. IS REQUIRED TO MEET MANUFACTURER STANDARDS ON MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH NUMEROUS MECHANICS CAN NOT FIX. THERE IS A VOLTAGE DRAIN, WHICH MAKES FUSES BLOW. THE CRUISE CONTROL, BLINKERS, AND…
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I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE AT 88,000 MILES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT AN AUCTION. THE FED GOV. IS REQUIRED TO MEET MANUFACTURER STANDARDS ON MAINTENANCE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH NUMEROUS MECHANICS CAN NOT FIX. THERE IS A VOLTAGE DRAIN, WHICH MAKES FUSES BLOW. THE CRUISE CONTROL, BLINKERS, AND AC DON'T WORK, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT USING A MANUAL OVERRIDE. *AK
Y FUEL PUMP FAILED ON MAY 21, 2003. CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP (MILEAGE 41,711). MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, TOTAL COST TO CONSUMER FOR REPAIR: $463.80. DEALERSHIP THAT COMPLETED REPAIRS ADVISED THAT FUEL FILTER ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED OR WARRANTY ON NEW FUEL PUMP WOULD BE VOIDED. THIS WAS THE SEC…
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Y FUEL PUMP FAILED ON MAY 21, 2003. CAR TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP (MILEAGE 41,711). MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY, TOTAL COST TO CONSUMER FOR REPAIR: $463.80. DEALERSHIP THAT COMPLETED REPAIRS ADVISED THAT FUEL FILTER ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED OR WARRANTY ON NEW FUEL PUMP WOULD BE VOIDED. THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP FAILED ON JUNE 6, 2001 (MILEAGE:8,884). MANUFACTURER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP DID NOT INSTALL NEW FUEL FILTER. MARCH 28, 2003 ALTERNATOR FAILED (MILEAGE: 38,307). MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. COST TO CONSUMER FOR REPAIR: $377.36. (ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 31, 2003 (MILEAGE 35,290) CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED DUE TO BATTERY LIGHT HAVING COME ON FROM TIME TO TIME. FORD TSB 15830 ADVISES THAT THE LIGHTING OF THE BATTERY LAMP MAY INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN FACT OPERATING PROPERLY. THIS SERVICE BULLETIN MAY HAVE LEAD THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO NOT CONSIDER THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A MORE COSTLY PROBLEM (I.E. ALTERNATOR FAILURE).)*AK
EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE THEY TELL ME THERE IS A LIST OF RECALLS ON IT SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE BUT MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL,SO I CALL THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE RECALLS BUT THE TIME HAD LAPSED FOR ME TO GET IT FIX,I NEVER RECIEVED A R…
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EVERY TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE THEY TELL ME THERE IS A LIST OF RECALLS ON IT SO I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE BUT MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL,SO I CALL THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE RECALLS BUT THE TIME HAD LAPSED FOR ME TO GET IT FIX,I NEVER RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER AND BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGNAL OWNER AND THEY HAD NO SERVICE RECORDS ON THE CAR.BUT THEY SHOULD STILL HAVE TO FIX THE RECALLS FOR SAFETY REASONS.I HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE BRAKES AND BURNT VALVES IN A MOTOR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 67,000 MILES. *AK
DASH IS WARPING, RECEIVED RECALL BUT AT THE TIME IT WAS NOT WARPING SO I DIDNT FEEL IT NEEDED REPLACING. ALSO FUEL PUMP HAD TO PE REPLACED AT 70,000 MILE. DEALER CHARGE $800. WHICH IS UNBELIEVEABLE FOR A VEHICLE IN THE PRICE RANGE. DEALER SOLD ME AN AFTERMARKET EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2001. THEY DIDNT …
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DASH IS WARPING, RECEIVED RECALL BUT AT THE TIME IT WAS NOT WARPING SO I DIDNT FEEL IT NEEDED REPLACING. ALSO FUEL PUMP HAD TO PE REPLACED AT 70,000 MILE. DEALER CHARGE $800. WHICH IS UNBELIEVEABLE FOR A VEHICLE IN THE PRICE RANGE. DEALER SOLD ME AN AFTERMARKET EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2001. THEY DIDNT INFORM ME IT WAS NOT A FORD WARRANTY. WHEN I TRIED TO FILE A CLAIM I WAS INFORMED THEY WERE IN BANKRUPCY AND WOULD NOT PAY. THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD I WILL OWN. *AK
LTR FROM DOUG HOLT (GA) RE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD IN HIS 2000 FORD CONTOUR, DASHBOARD HAS CURLED UPWARDS 2 INCHES IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING WIFE'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING CAR, REPLY ATTN SHANNON BOWEN/TOCCOA DIST. OFC. DOT/I/#2004-511. *PH THIS OCCURRED DURING THE SUMMER HEAT. FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD A REP…
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LTR FROM DOUG HOLT (GA) RE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD IN HIS 2000 FORD CONTOUR, DASHBOARD HAS CURLED UPWARDS 2 INCHES IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING WIFE'S VIEW WHEN DRIVING CAR, REPLY ATTN SHANNON BOWEN/TOCCOA DIST. OFC. DOT/I/#2004-511. *PH THIS OCCURRED DURING THE SUMMER HEAT. FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD A REPAIR PROGRAM WHICH ENDED THE MONTH THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS CLASSIFIED AS A NON-RECALL ISSUE AND WOULD POSSIBLY DENY THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. *SC *JB
WHEN VEHICLE GETS TO ABOUT 1/4 TANK OF GAS IT STARTS HESITATING USUALLY WHEN I AM ON THE ON RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE... NOT GOOD MERGING INTO TRAFFIC GOING 80MPH AND YOUR ONLY GOING 40. I AM TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP HOWEVER THIS FUEL PUMP ALONE FROM FORD IS $314 FOR PART ONLY. *AK
Official recalls
501V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Feb 14, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
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.
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.
00V228001 · Seat Belts
Aug 18, 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 & remedy
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.
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.
99V361000 · Equipment:other:labels
Dec 29, 1999
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 & remedy
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.
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
1DP06004 · Instrument Panel Cover Warpage
Opened Oct 23, 2006 · Closed Apr 10, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor
THE AGENCY HAS DENIED A PETITION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. THE NOTICE OF DENIAL WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72, NUMBER 67, ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007, PAGES 17605 AND 17606.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FOR DETAILS.