Fuel System complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This complaint is to replace previous complaint #10023062. I am sorry for the inconvenience, I feel that I May have left out pertinent information. My vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel tank pipe grommet. I took my vehicle to another auto repair service rather than the dealer where I had bought it. This auto repair service informed me of recall 00V350000. I then took the vehicle to the dealer where I bought the vehicle from. I had told them about the recall that I had learned about. They informed me that this recall was not for my particular vehicle. I understand that the dealership does not have my particular vehicle on recall for this problem. However, it seems a big coincidence that some other 2000 Ford Contour vehicles do and I have the same problem, yet my vehicle is not on the recall list. Maybe there are more that do need to be recalled? …
The car hesitates, stalls, loses power, surges, etc. While accelerating onto the freeway, going up hills, turning onto a highway etc. We've been lucky that it has only happened when we had a shoulder to coast on to. We could have easily been rear-ended by other vehichles in traffic. This has happened several times : at first it only happened when the gas tank was less than 1/4 full, then at 1/2 tank, now 3/4 full. We try to keep the tank full. NHTSA has a recall id # 04V421000 for the 1999 and later Mercury cougar that has the identical fuel delivery module as the 2000 Ford Contour (v-6). This recall should be expanded to include Ford Contour and Mercury mystique v-6 models at the very least. NHTSA has also recalled the 2000 Ford focus with similar fdm design defects and performance problems
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Contour. While adding fuel to the fuel tank, gasoline began leaking. A technician concluded that the fuel tank seal caused the exhaust system hose to melt. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired . The failure and current mileages were 150,000.
As soon as I exited the freeway (almost a full circle exit), my car started choking and finally stopped. No fuel seemed to be reaching the engine. I had aaa tow it home since I was close to home. The engine cranked but wouldn't start. This choking happened once before when I entered the freeway on a similar full-circle ramp, and then stepped on the gas to pickup speed. It coughed a bit but then ran fine. Seems like the spin causes something to choke. Other Contour owners have experienced this before. It supposedly happens when the fuel is less than a quarter of the tank. Ford had recalled the Ford focus for fuel delivery system problems and my car exhibits the exact same symptoms. …
Fuel spit-back while refueling. Took to Ford dealership and since the extended coverage for the fuel pipe flapper valve expired 5 months ago they will not repair. Ford wants $300 to repair. My car only has approximately 88,800 miles and I do not have $300 to repair. I called Ford in michigan and they said the same thing and emphasized the importance of taking car to Ford dealership for repairs. I took car to Ford in mississippi in 2002 and no mention of recall was made. Ford, in my opinion, seems to be of the mind "do not fix it if it is not broke". Well it is broke now and if coverage expired 5 months ago that is not a long period of time and Ford should pay for the repair of the fuel pipe flapper valve as they know it is defective. When I get gas the fuel spills on the ground causing harm to my family, passengers in the car, the general public and myself.
The engine wiring harness which connects to the vehicle's main power supply box has wiring for which the insulation comes off exposing live, bare wires. This leads to shorts in the electrical system which affects drivability (engine runs erratically and affects the electric fuel pumps operation) and could lead to a vehicle fire if the wiring suffers catastrophic failure. It goes without saying that if the car's fuel supply or engine control systems fail, the driver May lose control and become involved in a crash or collision. Ford does not sale replacement parts nor are parts available on the secondary market. The part number for the wiring harness on my car is f8rz14289ca. Ford should be required to replace these defective harnesses.
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.
Vehicle was parked for about 5 minutes and fire started inside vehicle towards the rear, and went through the front. Inspector cannot determine the cause of the fire. Please provide further information.
Related recalls (6)
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles. These vehicles May have a fuel tank filler pipe grommet that could have been damaged during the installation of the bi-fuel system. If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The fuel filler pipe vent hose May have less than the intended level of ozone resistance, which could result in the hose becoming brittle and cracking.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel filler vent hose contacting the appropriate blend of pvc and nitrile rubber.
Fuel system, other › Storage
Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles modified to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (cng). The natural gas fuel tanks have a solenoid shut-off valve that stops fuel flow from the fuel tank in the event of certain moderate to severe collisions.
Remedy: Ford has requested owners of these vehicles to have the cng fuel system disabled under a previous recall campaign and to only use gasoline fuel until a permanent corrective action is developed.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement, constructed from two separately molded pieces, can leak at the weld.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank assemblies with units containing one-piece molded reinforcements.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.
Show 1 more recall
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can develop a static electrical charge during refueling of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, modify the vehicles by adding a ground strap between the filler pipe shield and the body.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Contour years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (85), 1998 (72), 2000 (38), 1996 (30) and 1999 (30) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Ford Contour fuel system problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 00V-350 (tank assembly, Oct 30, 2000); 99V-247 (filler pipe and cap, Sep 13, 1999); 97V-203 (storage, Nov 17, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Contour fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (76 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly › filler pipe and cap (55).
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.