Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt*: the contact stated several problems occurred to the vehicle. While driving at 20mph, a humming sound was heard coming from the right side of the vehicle. It was taken to a local independent repair shop where it was discovered both right front and rear wheel bearings needed replaced. The brake rotors on the rear were replaced 5 times within a 6 month period. The heater blower malfunctioned and would not blow hot air. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop were the sensor to the heater blower was replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Contour. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal noise. In addition, the vehicle traction control activated when the brakes were activated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,800.
Dt: the contact's daughter's car had braking problems. The brakes lagged on reaction time in an emergency braking situation which resulted in the car being totaled. The air bags deployed, and no one was injured. The car was never taken to a mechanic to check the brakes.
Vibration when brakes applied. This problem started before I even pulled off the lot when I bought it used. The dealership had supposedly fixed it. Now, this was the second time that I needed to replace the rotors and brake pads. The first time I bought a set of tires, then got an alignment. Was told I needed different tires since the vibration did not stop. Bought more tires ,and was told that it had nothing to do with the alignment. Today, my car would not accelerate. The check engine light came on, and I immediately took it to a repair shop. It's going to cost $120 just to have diagnostics done. I also heard strange noises from the back of the car every time I brake. I'm shopping for a new car tomorrow. I have yet to meet someone who can tell me exactly what was wrong with my car and fix it!
Was driving down route 322 on day and had to hit the break and all of a sudden they went to the floor. I pulled over and checked my break fluid resivour and it was empty. I think the passenger side drum break is leaking fluid.
Had vehicle taken in for normal pmi (preventive maintenance inspection) servicing and during inspection-- the rear pcrv (pressure conscious reducing valves were found to be corroded and leaking. This vehicle is operated in wi (salt is used on roadways up here). There is a recall out for this item, but it covers non-ABS vehicles only....... My vehicle has the ABS system. It looks like the recall wasn't expanded far enough..... Problems are still out there!!!!! The technician that did the repair on the car said that he had done that specific recall on other vehicles multiple times, and stated that the replaced pcrvs on my car were the style* valves..... That is why he was concerned and recommended I replace the pcrvs asap--- which was done that day. There was no accident/injury/fatality involved in this incident obviously. But there could have been. …
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. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with an incorrect power brake booster and master cylinder assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct contour brake booster and master cylinder in each of these vehicles. Owner notification began January 28, 2002.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (91), 1995 (85), 1996 (49), 1999 (45) and 1997 (29) model years. Brake complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 01V-045 (master cylinder, Feb 14, 2001); 00V-075 (foundation components, Mar 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Contour brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (108 mentions), followed by the foundation components (77).
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.