Ford

Contour (1st)

2000 · Compact Sedan · 3 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.5)
215 NHTSA Complaints
7 Recalls
5 Fire Reports
11 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

2.5-V6-Gas

2.5L 6-cyl / 170 hp
Avoid (1.7)
89 complaints 89.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
34
fuel system
19
other
16
safety systems
7
electrical
7

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (34 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (19 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (7 complaints)

Same engine used in

Ford Contour Unidentified Engine

Avoid (1.0)
73 complaints 73.0 per year
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
24
other
14
electrical
9
fuel system
8
engine
7

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (24 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (8 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Ford Contour regardless of engine variant.

Body/Trim Issues (79 complaints)
body critical
Fuel System Issues (36 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Electrical System Issues (9 complaints)
electrical critical
Safety Systems Issues (7 complaints)
safety_systems cosmetic
Brakes Issues (5 complaints)
brakes cosmetic

Recalls (7)

08E033000Apr 13, 2008serious
Suspension

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

06E022000Mar 12, 2006serious
Service Brakes

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

01V045000Feb 13, 2001cosmetic
Service Brakes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY.

00V350000Oct 29, 2000serious
Fuel System, Other

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.

00V228001Aug 17, 2000serious
Seat Belts

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."

00V075000Sep 2, 2000serious
Service Brakes

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.

99V361000Dec 28, 1999cosmetic
Equipment

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.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2000 Ford Contour problems?

The 2000-2000 Ford Contour has accumulated 215 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Body/Trim, Fuel System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Ford Contour engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2000 Ford Contour was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2000 Ford Contour a good used car?

The 2000-2000 Ford Contour can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 215 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2000 Ford Contour have?

The 2000-2000 Ford Contour has 215 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2000 Ford Contour?

There are 7 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2000 Ford Contour vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Ford Contour?

Before buying a used Ford Contour, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Body/Trim, Fuel System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Contour have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000 Ford Contour. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 215 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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