Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the defroster stopped working. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall # 01i009000 (visibility:defroster/defogger system:windshield:controls/wiring) in 2001. The instrument panel and tail lights also do not work. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall # 99V103000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) in 1999. The current mileage is 92,794 and failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. The contact stated the vehicle repeatedly decelerates and accelerates without warrant. When the air conditioner was being operated, the vehicle would begin to shake violently. It would also take an unusually long time for the air conditioner to engage and would blow only hot air. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
Compressor "froze-up" which locked up the engine and would not run. The dealer that I took my car to, said that they had had other contours with the same problem. I was fortunate that I was stopped, at my sister's house and not on the road. I had just travelled 130 miles, when the car cratered. My problem with this is that if Ford knew the design would render the engine useless, it would be a design problem. There's no way to by-pass the compressor as it is on a pulley system with one serpentine belt for everything. My bill for repairs is in excess of $800.00, of which the compressor is over $500.00. Please investigate to see how many Contour owners have been affected by this problem. It's no wonder that another employee of another dealership warned me to get rid of that "thing" as soon as you can. Does not speak well for Ford. If you need anything else, please let me know.
Heater switch recall - Ford is unwilling to replace a faulty switch that was recalled under thier program m - the recall letter was not sent out to me. I purchased the car new in columbus oh. The recall switch can cause potntial fires and is currently bad in my car. I spoke with Ford and to a manager, who was very rud to me over the phone and offered no help. She stated that the car was not covered under their program m recall because it was not made in the same factory as the other cars covered by the progem m . But I am experiencing the same problems that cause fires. Ford is unhelpful and unwilling to fix a known defective part on my car. If I had been notified under this program back in 1999 when the letter was sent out then the switch would have been replaced, since it has been defective for over one year. The VIN number is [VIN].
This has got to be the worst car we ever owned. Recently the A/C compressor made a grinding noise. The dealer said it would be $1200 to fix. They then said it would only be $950 because some parts were not needed. We later found out A/C isn't fixed and the dealer is demanding an additional $1200 to fix because they said we refused to fix the A/C the first time around. I would really like to know what we paid for the first time. We will never buy another Ford again!!!
The wires to the a\c and the alternator have recently burned up..completly melted..I am afraid that the car is going to catch fire..also if you could look at my warranty through auto nation you could see how many problems I have had with this car..it's outragous.. If I did not have warranty I do not know what I would do..I want to trade it in all though I have only had it for about a year in a half..but I can't aford to keep fixing it....thank you c.j stafford.
I only have 2 speeds on my heater blower,lo and 2. I also have had smoke comming from under the dash or from a heater vent when the heater has been on. When I go over a bump regardless of how small there is a thump sound that comes from the trunk area. The suspension system seems to hit really hard with any kind of bump in the road. I also had to have the headlight switch assy fixed according the recall because of taillight and panel failure.
Heater fan control switch began smoking and shutdown while vehicle was in operation. Consumer has taken vehicle to private mechanic, who indicated that defect resulted from factory wiring harness being too small a guage of wiring to carry electrical load. Replacement wiring harness was of a higher guage. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Consumer received recall notice 01V230000, and called dealership to set up an appointment to have vehicle serviced. Dealership refused service because consumer was not experiencing the problem as described by the recall.
During replacement of heater blower switch consumer noticed that electrical wires were melted together and charred black. Dealership has not examined vehicle. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
AC & Heater complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1997 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1997 Ford Contour, 10% of the model year's 218 complaints. The component named most often is defroster/defogger/hvac system › windshield › electrical heating element (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Contour ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 1997 Ford Contour, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Contour ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.