1997 Ford Contour Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 218 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1997 Ford Contour, 1% of the 218 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10469368, filed 2012-08, 134,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Contour. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact personally performed a diagnostic. The contact replaced the timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, fuel injector, and pulleys. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 2/21/13 status update 03/19/13”
NHTSA complaint #10496621, filed 2013-02, 134,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Contour
41 complaintsEngine cooling
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Contour
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology