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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

79 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2020
Air BagsStructureVisibility/wiper

DASHBOARD IS DELAMINATING AND PEELING UPWARD INTERFERING WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DEFROSTERS AND VISIBILITY. FORD HAS ONGOING ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS. I FEEL THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND QUALITY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329060

167,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Exterior LightingStructureCrashInjury

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 INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I …

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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 INTERSTATE) & TOLD THEM WHERE I WAS & I NEEDED THEM TO BRING ME SOME GAS. THEN A CAR CAME FLYING UP BEHIND ME BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP & DID NOT HIT ME. THEN THE CAR BEHIND HIM HAD STOPPED BUT A TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HE HIT HER, SHE HIT THE MAN BEHIND ME AND HE HIT ME. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED FOR A 4 YEAR OLD IN THE WOMANS CAR WHO SAID HIS HEAD HURT. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD HIT ME AND TURNED MY CAR SIDEWAYS & WAS HIT ON THE SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR, BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS DRIVING WAY TOO FAST AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE MY FLASHERS AT ALL. THEY WOULD FLY PAST ME BLOWING THEIR HORNS. DID THEY THINK I WAS STOPPED ON PURPOSE? BELIEVE ME IF I COULD HAVE MADE THE CAR GO I WOULD HAVE. THIS CAR DOES THIS SOMETIMES WHEN ON A 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND SINCE THIS ACCIDENT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW IT DOES IT ON 3/4 TANK. I DO NOT GET ON INTERSTATE ANYMORE. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THESE CARS DO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482382

96,000 miles · May 15, 2011
Structure

CARS DASHBOARD GOT SO HOT THAT IT CURLED UP CAUSING THE FRONT DEFROSTERS NOT TO WORK AND ALSO PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING THAT CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400911

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2010
Structure

2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISION. THE DEFROST VENT POPPED OUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW DOES NOT FIT. …

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2000 FORD CONTOUR SVT, 71K MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CURLING, FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. THE PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY SLOW, BUT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW SEVERELY INTERFERES WITH DEFROST VENT FLOW AND VISION. THE DEFROST VENT POPPED OUT A YEAR AGO AND NOW DOES NOT FIT. THE CURLING OF THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR DECENT DEFROST AND VENTING, WHICH IN ADDITION TO THE 6 INCHES OF DASHBOARD THAT HAS CURLED UP, INTERFERES WITH ADEQUATE SIGHT, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHERS (STRANGERS) STOP ME OUT-OF-THE-BLUE AND INQUIRE ABOUT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY ALSO HAVE. BASED ON THE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED FOR THIS DEFECT, A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED BY FORD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353849

124,161 miles · Mar 19, 2010
StructureVisibility

IN MY WIFES CAR THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD IS STARTING TO COME UP ITS RIGHT NEAR THE VENT IN THE CAR IT MAKES DRIVE THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE DASH IS NOW BLOCK PART OF THE WINDSHIELD I WAS TOLD THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SOME ONE BEFORE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321059

55,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
StructureVisibility

DASHBOARD BEGAN SLOWLY WARPING OVER A YEAR. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE VISIBILITY AHEAD WAS COMPROMISED, AND THE DEFROSTER VENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. DEALER WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT, SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP AT MY FULL COST. SO FAR, THE REPLACEMENT DASH IS OK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224388

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2007
Structure

THE DASH BOARD IS CURLED UP. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2002 AND HAS SLOWLY CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THAT THE TIME FRAME FOR MAKING A CLAIM HAD EXPIRED. WE DIDN'T PROCEED FURTHER BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST US $1000 TO FIX. OUR WARRANTY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT…

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THE DASH BOARD IS CURLED UP. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN 2002 AND HAS SLOWLY CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THAT THE TIME FRAME FOR MAKING A CLAIM HAD EXPIRED. WE DIDN'T PROCEED FURTHER BECAUSE THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST US $1000 TO FIX. OUR WARRANTY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT BECAUSE THEY CONSIDERED IT "UPHOLSTERY." WE HAVE JUST LEFT IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OVER THE CURLED DASH BOARD. PLUS, IN THE WINTER, THE WINDOW DOESN'T DEFROST PROPERLY, AGAIN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. I JUST SAW YOUR WEBSITE ON LINE TODAY, WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T CONTACT YOU EARLIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197658

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2007
StructureUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2000 FORD CONTOUR THAT I PURCHASED IN 2000 WHILE I LIVED IN NH. IN EARLY 2001, I MOVED OUT OF NH AND TO MA. LAST YEAR, I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION TO A VERY NOTICEABLE WARPING IN MY DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLACK VENTING PIECE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED AND COULD BECOME LOS…

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I HAVE A 2000 FORD CONTOUR THAT I PURCHASED IN 2000 WHILE I LIVED IN NH. IN EARLY 2001, I MOVED OUT OF NH AND TO MA. LAST YEAR, I STARTED TO PAY ATTENTION TO A VERY NOTICEABLE WARPING IN MY DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THE BLACK VENTING PIECE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED AND COULD BECOME LOSE AND SERVE AS A PROJECTILE IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FRONT WINDSHIELD NO LONG DEFROSTS PROPERLY WHICH CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH SEEING WHILE DRIVING. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2001, AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE NOTICE WAS SOMEHOW SENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184348

32,000 miles · Feb 1, 2007
Structure

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED IN AN ATTEMPTTO DRIVE THE 2000 FORD CONTOUR SHE GOT IN AND SAW THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PEELING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL TYPES OF WEATHER MADE IT PEEL MORE AND MORE. HER VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10181363

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2006
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED AND IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE BASE CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW AS WELL AS LIMITING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER. HAVE NOT CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS OF YET AND I AM RELUCTANT TO GIVEN THE GROWING NUMBER OF DISSATISFIED CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ANY A…

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THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED AND IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE BASE CAUSING LIMITED VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW AS WELL AS LIMITING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER. HAVE NOT CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AS OF YET AND I AM RELUCTANT TO GIVEN THE GROWING NUMBER OF DISSATISFIED CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. INCIDENT DATE IS UNKNOWN, I USED 1/1/05 BECAUSE THE DEFECT BEGAN IN EARLY PART OF 2005. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN JUNE 2004 AND THERE WAS NO DEFECT AT THAT TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175011

Official recalls

5

01V045000 · 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

1

DP06004 · 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.