Ford Contour problems by year
3,136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 9 Ford Contour model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Fewer complaints | 4 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 | 199 | 4 | Structure | |
| 1999 | 419 | 2 | Structure | |
| 1998 Most complained | 846 | 4 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 | 218 | 2 | Electrical System | |
| 1996 Most complained | 563 | 3 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 Most complained | 891 | 1 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1994 Fewer complaints | 12 | 0 | — | |
| 1993 Fewer complaints | 3 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Ford.