Model year record

1997 Ford Contour

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 314 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V230000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
342,962
Reported to NHTSA
2001-07-09
Owners notified
2001-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
436,200
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-09
Owners notified
2000-10-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V103000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
605,581
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-05
Owners notified
1999-07-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Safety risk

THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V233000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
175,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-18
Owners notified
1998-11-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V203000

Fuel system, other: storage

Component
Fuel system, other: storage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,800
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-17
Owners notified
1998-02-09

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission1697,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood985,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch983,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element990,000 mi
Electrical system8109,000 mi
Tires8
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system737,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine7
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner791,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor7
Unknown or other787,000 mi
Air bags: frontal6
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator6
Electrical system: wiring6130,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system6
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Suspension: front: wheel bearing5
Exterior lighting487,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline425,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)4
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift460,000 mi
Suspension: front4
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs4123,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine and engine cooling385,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights3119,533 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit378,000 mi
Interior lighting3119,533 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Steering3
Steering: rack and pinion3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor3
Air bags2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine2134,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2
Exterior lighting: headlights2130,000 mi
Fuel system, other2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train293,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Service brakes, hydraulic2141,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device274,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2
Suspension: rear2
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Wheels2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel190,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1105,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump170,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages187,000 mi
Parking brake187,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1110,652 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: frame and members1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: multiple axle1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1123,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal174,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.