Ford Contour Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Ford Contour? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Ford Contour — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000Best | Good | 5 | 124 | 5 | 8 | — | Structure | Full report → |
| 1999 | Caution | 3 | 332 | 15 | 25 | — | Structure | Full report → |
| 1998 | Avoid | 6 | 615 | 31 | 43 | 2 | Suspension | Full report → |
| 1997 | Good | 4 | 168 | 11 | 12 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 1996 | Caution | 6 | 484 | 20 | 20 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1995Worst | Avoid | 4 | 730 | 26 | 26 | 10 | Power Train | Full report → |
6 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Ford Contour Problems
Based on 2,453 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Contour Years to Avoid
Best Contour Years to Buy
Not enough data to identify standout low-problem years.
Years with fewest complaints and recalls.
Ford Contour Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Ford Contour Reliability
What year Contour has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 1995 Ford Contour had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 730 complaints and 4 safety recalls. See the full 1995 report for specific defects.
Is the Ford Contour reliable?
The Ford Contour has accumulated 2,453 owner-filed complaints and 28 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 12 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2000 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Contour.
What are the most common Contour problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine And Engine Cooling (384 reports), Electrical System (334 reports), Power Train (235 reports), Suspension (177 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Contour has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Ford Contour VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Ford Contour VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily