Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. While driving 25 MPH on 3/19/07 the driver felt something heavy fall on his foot and he began to lose control of the steering wheel. The steering column fell on the brake pedal and he couldn't stop the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a parked truck. The passenger side air deployed; however, the driver side didn't deploy. Two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries to their knees and chests. The police officer stated that he never heard of a steering column breaking while driving. The contact stated in the state of wisconsin insurance was not required as she was uninsured. The service mechanic on 01/13/07 stated that the brake failure was due to the brake hose being loose. The failure mileage was with 158,000. The contact doesnt have the current mileage.
When I tried to make a sudden stop the rear wheels locked, the car spun about 90 degrees and hit a bridge.air bags both deployed, I was injured and taken to a hospital. There was a recall of this vehicle for this problem in April 2000 but I was not sent a recall notice. I received a recall notice on 6-23-2000 after complaining to Ford; Ford did not fulfill their obligation to notify me of this safety recall. My compaint is two-fold: first, Ford has produced a defective product and is responsible for damages caused by this product, and second, Ford failed to notify me in a timely manner about this defect so that I could have the defect corrected. I have suffered minor personal injury, vehicle repair expenses, added insurance premiums (future), trip interuption, and loss of use of the vehicle for approximately 30 days. …
While drivng in snowy/wet conditions ABS braking system malfunctioned, causing the wheels to lock up/vibrates/shake. Then vehicle slid in the direction it was going, causing an accident. Vehicle had no braking ability at all. Also, dealer replaced the rear left caliper. Dealer was aware of the problem, but said it was the way the system operated. Please provide further inforamtion.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. While the contact applied the brakes at 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle drove uphill and into a parking lot and stopped by emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 141,000. Updated 02-01-08 the consumer stated the hydraulic vacuum line was leaking. Updated 02/01/08
Could not get an inspection sticker - no mechanic could find out why the check engine will not go off -very costly. It stalls when raining, the passenger door handle does not work, it has to warm up for 5 minutes before it will move, the tail lights came loose, causing melting of housing, every valve imaginable has been replaced, belt squeals when air or defrost turned on.
Driving approximately 45mph and attempting to change lanes, got into right lane and touched brakes lightly to steer car straight, steering locked up, couldn't steer left or right, steering stuck in slant position. Pumping brakes and the brakes were not working. Car ran into guardrail and flipped three times. Air bag deployed.
Recal 00V075000/rear brake valve: dealer refused to honor recall because consumer was involved in an accident due to brake failure. Consumer registered a complaint with manufacturer. Dealer told consumer that repairs would not be done until they get the approval from manufacturer.
Driver was in an front end accident that was caused by application of the brakes which failed. Consumer lost control and hit a gaurdrail head-on. Upon impact, passenger's side air bag deployed, but driver's side air bag failed to deploy.
Was driving 70mph & started to apply brakes to slow down, vehicle went into a 180 degree spin. Another vehicle hit the right side. Vehicle winded up facing opposite direction towards traffic. Will be taking to dealer.
I believe all 1997 Ford contours should be recalled, over the past 3 years I have replaced the clutch, waterpump, blower motor, both lower control arms, bushings, sway bars, wheel bearings, front & rear brakes and rotors(both twice!!!!), axle, 2 oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, EGR valve, coil springs, battery, balljoints, door latch, almost all of the full front suspension!!!! There are more parts that I had replaced but I can't remember all the names of the parts there are too many!! My check engine light will not turn off, seat belt light will not turn off, short in the drivers side power window, the engine will (rev) up by itself when it's in gear and when it's not, short in the drivers side power seats, water leakage in the trunk, A/C leaks onto the passenger side floor, all doors squeak no matter what you do, carpet is falling out, horn will not work most of the time, same for …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install improved pcrv's in the rear brake system. This recall was expanded in September 2000 to include 1999 and 2000 Ford contour, Mercury mystique and cougar vehicles.
Brake complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1997 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Ford Contour, 13% of the model year's 218 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Contour brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-075 (foundation components, Mar 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Contour brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 141,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes 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.