IllustrationWHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT CONSUMER WAS REARENDED, AND SEAT BROKE OFF THE TRACK.*AK
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 AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.
DOOR LOCKS 100% ELECTRONIC; MAY BE TRAPPED IN CAR IF POWER FAILS. *AK
VEHICLE KEPT STALLING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING WENT OUT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND DEALERSHIP PUT A HEADLIGHT SWITCH INTO VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK
TWO REAR DOORS ON THE VEHCILE ARE NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED BECAUSE DUST AND DIRT ENTER VEHICLE THROUGH THOSE DOORS. ALSO, CONSUMER SAT IN BACK SEAT AND HAD TO COVER EYES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
VEHICLE HAS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM HEATER WHEN TURNING IT ON. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
THIS VEHICLE IS A DUEL FUEL SYSTEM; NATURAL GAS AND GASOLINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS TWO MODES OF OPERATION CONTROLLED VIA A TOGGLE SWITCH: (1) SWITCH IN THE NG POSITION, WHICH OPERATES THE VEHICLE ON NG AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO GASOLINE AND (2)SWITCH IS IN THE GASOLINE POSITION, WHICH COMPLETELY BYPASSES THE NG FUEL ALTOGE…
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THIS VEHICLE IS A DUEL FUEL SYSTEM; NATURAL GAS AND GASOLINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS TWO MODES OF OPERATION CONTROLLED VIA A TOGGLE SWITCH: (1) SWITCH IN THE NG POSITION, WHICH OPERATES THE VEHICLE ON NG AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO GASOLINE AND (2)SWITCH IS IN THE GASOLINE POSITION, WHICH COMPLETELY BYPASSES THE NG FUEL ALTOGETHER. ON FRIDAY 8/10/01, A 95 DEGREE DAY, THE CAR WAS SET AT THE NG POSTION. AT AN INTERSECTION I WAS WAITING AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE INTENT ON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TWO LANES OF A FOUR LANE ROAD. AS I PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THANKFULLY I HAD NOT ACTUALLY ENGAGED THE INTERSECTION. IF I HAD AN ONCOMING DUMP TRUCK WOULD HAVE HIT ME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I NOTED THAT THE NG FUEL LEVEL WAS AT ZERO (OR CLOSE TO IT) AND THE ENIGINE SHOULD HAVE SEAMLESSLY KICKED INTO GASOLINE FUEL RESERVE, WHICH WAS FULL. APPARENTLY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN AND RESULTED IN THE STALL. LATER IN THE DAY THIS OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT TODAY MY 2000 SE STARTED MAKING NOISE - TURNED OUT TO BE THE STARTER RUNNING. TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THE STARTER CONTINUED CRANKING THE ENGINE. WAS ABLE TO DASH TO THE TRUNK, RETRIEVE PLIERS AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED BURNING. THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE SMOK…
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WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT TODAY MY 2000 SE STARTED MAKING NOISE - TURNED OUT TO BE THE STARTER RUNNING. TOOK THE KEY OUT AND THE STARTER CONTINUED CRANKING THE ENGINE. WAS ABLE TO DASH TO THE TRUNK, RETRIEVE PLIERS AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED BURNING. THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE SMOKING BY THIS TIME. TURNED OUT THAT THE MAIN POSITIVE CABLE HAD CHAFED THROUGH AGAINST THE STARTER SOLENOID WIRE A FEW INCHES AWAY FROM THE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS IS RIGHT WHERE THE CABLE MAKES A 90 DEGREE BEND AROUND THE TOP OF THE BATTERY BOX. FOUND THE OTHER 2 RED WIRES OF THE TERMINAL ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF INSULATION WEAR AT THE BEND. AFTER TEARING THE SOLENOID WIRE APART FROM THE MAIN CABLE AND TAPING EVERYTHING UP, I TRIMED THE TOP OF THE BATTERY BOX LOWER AND REPOSITIONED THE WIRING TO AVOID THE SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN.*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.