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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Contour 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Contour: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

218Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
25Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System45 complaints

45 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V230000.

Engine44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V075000.

Power Train31 complaints

31 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V233000.

Lighting26 complaints

26 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V103000.

Suspension24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System12 complaints

12 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V203000.

Air Bags9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V075000Reported March 9, 2000 - 436,200 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 9, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 436,200 vehicles across all affected models.

01V230000Reported July 9, 2001 - 342,962 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on July 9, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 342,962 vehicles across all affected models.

97V203000Reported November 17, 1997 - 1,800 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 1,800 vehicles across all affected models.

98V233000Reported September 18, 1998 - 175,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on September 18, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 175,000 vehicles across all affected models.

99V103000Reported May 5, 1999 - 605,581 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 5, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 605,581 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA01001Opened January 5, 2001 - Closed July 31, 2001

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS. Resulted in recall campaign 01I009000.

PE00023Opened June 14, 2000 - Closed January 5, 2001

BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ02006Opened February 26, 2002 - Closed September 12, 2002

INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION. Resulted in recall campaign 98V233000.

RQ99019Opened September 15, 1999 - Closed March 7, 2001

VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. Resulted in recall campaign 99V243000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19962
19978
199815
199946
200039
200144
200220
200318
20048
20056
20062
20075
20081
20091
20101
20121
20131
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.