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1997 Ford ContourProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 218 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Contour, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

70
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years57% below the Contour median · #5 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21828 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage112kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 6, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford Contour has problems

218 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system417
Engine and engine cooling350
Power train300
Service brakes, hydraulic278
Exterior lighting210
Visibility191
Suspension170
Steering163
Air bags92
13 other systems563

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1997 Ford Contour recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system

Recall 01V-230 · Jul 9, 2001 · 342,962 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Recall 00V-075 · Mar 9, 2000 · 436,200 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 99V-103 · May 5, 1999 · 605,581 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Contour year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Contour median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Ford Contour safety ratings

1997 Ford Contour 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Ford Contour side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford Contour, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  2. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSPE00023 · closed Jan 5, 2001
    No recall
  3. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  4. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
In owners' words

What Contour owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE WIRING HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED TO WHERE THE ENGINE RUNS LEAN AND DIES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. ONCE HOME I CHECKED EVERYTHING I COULD UNTIL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COOLED THEN NOTICED THE WIRING ON THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER. THE MORE I LOOKED I COULD SEE ALL THE INJECTOR PLUGS…
Complaint 10469368 · Aug 6, 2012 · 134,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD GROUND IN THE MAIN LINE HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Complaint 10247601 · Nov 3, 2008 · 115,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:CONTROLS/WIRING) IN 2001. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10195359 · Jul 5, 2007 · 90,000 miles

Own a 1997 Contour?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.