Ford Contour Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Contour model year (1995–2000) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Contour Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 96 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Problem score: 124
8 recalls · 10 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Problem score: 42
7 recalls · 0 complaints
Top issue: No complaints on record
Problem score: 21
Best Ford Contour Years to Buy
3 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 9
5 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 15
6 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 18
Found the right year? Verify that specific Contour with a free VIN report.
Ford Contour — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 1998 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Good |
| 1997 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 18 | Good |
| 1996 | 8 | 10 | 4 | — | 42 | Good |
| 1995 | 6 | 96 | 5 | — | 124 | Avoid |
All 6 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Contour Shopping Guide by Era
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Contour models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Contour should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1995 Ford Contour if possible. It has 6 recalls, 96 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 124 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Contour to buy?+
The 1999 Ford Contour is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 9. It has only 3 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Contour has the fewest problems?+
The 1999, 2000, 1997 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Contour Research
Check a Specific Ford Contour VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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