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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 · Sep 13, 2004
Structure

VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECT WITH 2000 FORD CONTOUR. *MR THE DEFECT INVOLVED THE SEPARATION OF THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND UPWARD CURL OF THE SEPARATED PIECE. ONE OF THE RESULTS OF THE DEFECT WAS A DEFLECTION OF ALL AIR OUTPUT FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENT AWAY FROM THE GLASS WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. T…

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VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECT WITH 2000 FORD CONTOUR. *MR THE DEFECT INVOLVED THE SEPARATION OF THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND UPWARD CURL OF THE SEPARATED PIECE. ONE OF THE RESULTS OF THE DEFECT WAS A DEFLECTION OF ALL AIR OUTPUT FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENT AWAY FROM THE GLASS WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER UTILITY WAS INOPERATIVE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *SC *JB THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT FORD WAS UNWILLING TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY DEFECTS IN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FILED A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR ON AUGUST 23 AFTER TRYING TO ATTEMPT DIALOGUE WITH THEM ON VEHICLE SAFETY DEFECTS OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *TC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092741

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Structure

WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD UNEXPECTEDLY BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE CONSOLE. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE DASHBOARD UNRAVELED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL, AND THE WARRANTY WAS VALID. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090154

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Structure

WHILE DRIVING,THE DASHBOARD PANEL FAILED TO STAY IN PLACE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASHBOARD NEEDED RE…

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WHILE DRIVING,THE DASHBOARD PANEL FAILED TO STAY IN PLACE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASHBOARD NEEDED REPLACING. *JB FORD PROGRAM 01B78-52, INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE REPAIR, AFFECTED VEHICLES: ALL 1999-2000 MODEL YEAR CONTOUR'S AND MYSTIQUE'S. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10083345

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2004
Structure

2002 FORD CONTOUR, DASHBOARD STARTED PEELING UP. IT GETS WORSE EVERY MONTH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088768

30,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Structure

THE DASHBOARD WAS PEELING AND IT WAS ROLLING INTO THE WINDSHIELD COVERING UP THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS DISCOVERED AND THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY DENIED THE CLAIM AT THE TIME OF THE BULLETIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10087752

51,000 miles · Aug 2, 2004
Structure

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CURLING AND LIFTING UP FROM THE FRAME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10084053

38,000 miles · Jul 26, 2004
Air BagsStructureVisibility

THE VINYL COVERING ON THE DASHBOARD IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE UNDERLYING STRUCTURE. IT HAS, OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 5 MONTHS, PEELED BACK FAR ENOUGH THAT IT OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST VENT TRIM NO LONGER FITS INTO PLACE. THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY, AS THE VINYL NOW OBSTRUCTS THE…

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THE VINYL COVERING ON THE DASHBOARD IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE UNDERLYING STRUCTURE. IT HAS, OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 5 MONTHS, PEELED BACK FAR ENOUGH THAT IT OBSTRUCTS THE VIEW OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST VENT TRIM NO LONGER FITS INTO PLACE. THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY, AS THE VINYL NOW OBSTRUCTS THE AIR FLOW. THE VINYL IS ALSO IN SUCH A POSITION AS TO POTENTIALLY IMPEDE THE FUNCTON OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG. FORD HAS ISSUED A COUPLE OF 'CAMPAIGNS', AS THEY CALL IT, BUT BOTH HAVE EXPIRED. MY DASH WAS NOT WARPED DURING THE PERIOD OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND SO WAS NOT REPLACED AT THAT TIME. SINCE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE DASH, FORD WILL NOT COVER THE FULL COST OF THE REPLACEMENT (~$1200). THE DASH ON A 3.5 YEAR CAR SHOULD NOT WARP SO BADLY IT LOOKS LIKE A PRINGLES CHIP. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS, AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082675

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2004
Structure

WHILE 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

NHTSA ODI #10075590

58,000 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10081977

30,000 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #10066743

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.