Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The dashboard, which was once recalled, the recall has since expired. Is delaminating off the foam , preventing proper defrosting of windshield and hindering view out of front window. The fuel pump which was recalled on other Ford models for exactly the same problem, fails, preventing acceleration onto highways. The water pump, which is plastic, disintergrates in the motor.
My 2000 Ford Contour se starting acting like there was no gas at around 1/4 tank. This continued every time my car got to 1/4 tank. Mechanic replaced fuel filter $54.90 for filter and diagnostic on 3/13/07. It still stuttering, hesitated and now was stalling. Mechanic replaced fuel pump $297.22 on 3/28/07. The problem persisted and now it was happening at 1/2 tank. Once summer hit, it was worse with the A/C. Between March and June 2007, mechanic replaced pump once and filter twice. On 6/27/07, car stalled and would not restart, tank was at 1/2. Mechanic replaced intake manifold runner control unit and the problem remained. The problem continued with hesitating and stalling especially uphill. On 8/21/07 replaced all the spark plugs and wires $234.90. The problem continued. My mechanic is at his wits end. The code on the check engine light is always the same. …
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught on fire while in gear. A pop noise was heard and smoke came out from under the hood. The front of the vehicle then caught fire. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss and it was never taken to a service dealer. A fire department report was processed. Updated 12/11/06.
Ford motor corp is aware of a defective valve in it's Ford contours with 6 cyl 2.5l engines that causes an oil out and over-pressurized condition. My vehicle experienced this and my mechanic contacted a Ford service manager and was told that they are having a silent recall, and each case will be handled on a case by case basis. When I took the car to Ford and after keeping it for a week they determined that they would not rectify the problem because I had not received my oil change from them. I had previously taken my vehicle to Ford and spent so much money for all problems and I have well documented service records on my vehicle. I also have a college son that I purchased the same vehicle for and am afraid that his will experience the same problem while he is out on the highway. I have had to replace the engine because of this. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. While driving 20 MPH, the contact noticed smoke and flames rising from under the hood. The fire destroyed the vehicle. A police report was filed. As of September 18, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the fire. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 75,237.
Smoke then flames came from the engine compartment and within 5 minutes of parking in the garage. The fire department extinguished the fire, and indicated that the fire occurred because of an electrical system failure.
In October 2001 (at 67000 miles), coolant was leaking from the water pump on my 1997 2.5-liter v6 Ford Contour. Water pump was replaced. On June 2002 (at 73000 miles), the water pump started leaking again. Water pump was replaced again. On December 2002 (at 80000 miles), the same thing happened again, I.e. The pump was leaking. Water pump was replaced. On April 2003 (at 85000 miles), the water pump again began to leak from around the same spot (per the service technician). Water pump was replaced. With this latest occurrence the Ford dealership technician (@ century Ford in rockville, md) called Ford hotline with the history of the problems. …
The wiring harness has deteriorated to where the engine runs lean and dies. The check engine light came on while driving. Once home I checked everything I could until the engine compartment cooled then noticed the wiring on the number 1 cylinder. The more I looked I could see all the injector plugs were deteriorated badly with number 4 being worse. Just touching the harness causes the insulation to flake off and bare wires to be exposed. I purchased a code reader to allow proper indications of what codes were indicated when the check engine light illuminated. Now Ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what I already know and can plainly see!
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Vehicle description: 1995 passenger vehicles equipped with the 2.0l and 2.5l engines, and 1996 vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. Tightening of the engine cooling fan motor bearings, up to and including motor stall, can result in increased motor torque and higher than normal motor current and accompanying high motor…
Remedy: Dealers will install a positive temperature coefficient device in-line with each fan motor. Ford will also extend the warranty on the engine cooling fan assembly to a total of 8 years of service or 100,000 miles from…
NHTSA investigations
Engine cooling fan fires
Odi opened this investigation on August 18, 1999, based on four reports of fire involving the engine cooling fan.the reports allege the electronic cooling fan caught fire with resultant damage to the fan and wire harness and/or the harness connector.in its pe response, Ford provided information relevant to 46 additional alleged fire incidents and 47 alleged failures of the cooling fan involving thermal damage to the…
Engine cooling fan fires
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (225), 1998 (135), 1996 (124), 1999 (52) and 1997 (37) model years. Engine complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 00V-367 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 6, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Contour engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (184 mentions), followed by the engine (120).
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.