1997 Ford Contour Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 6%of 218 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 Ford Contour, 6% of the 218 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10260956, filed 2009-03, 87,000 miles“Starting every spring, lasting through the summer, there is a fuel smell in the cabin. Every Ford dealer claims not to smell it, and they have never heard of the problem. It usually occurs in over drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10014494, filed 2003-04, 25,000 miles“I am trying to find any information in regards to automobiles that have dual/alterative fuel systems. My vehicle has a propane tank in the trunk of the car, and runs on either gasoline or propane by flipping a switch located on the dashboard. My vehicle has had continual problems - cutting off while idiling. None of the local Ford dealers will work on the auto becuase they said they have no one trained on these type of fuel systems, and have no information on Ford having ever manufactured a vehicle with these type engine or fuel system.”
NHTSA complaint #757224, filed 2002-01“Ac/heater switch which previously failed (very similar to existing investigation # pe00023) in oct 2000, has failed again. The AC/heater switch will intermittently fail to engage the HVAC system and will fail to engage the AC compressor when an AC mode is selected. This is the second failure of this part and I noticed several other complaints about this part in the database.”
NHTSA complaint #737586, filed 2000-12“Car will crank over, but will not start. It has occurred 5 times. Four times it required to be towed to the service dept at Ford for repairs. Only once did the vehicle shut down while driving approx 40 miles an hour. The fuel pump has been replaced twice since I have owned the car, however when the car gets towed into the dealers, they are not able to really determine what is the defect with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #706208, filed 1999-05Related recalls
- 97V203000Nov 17, 1997Vehicle 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…Covers: Ford Contour 1996–1997
Fuel system: 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 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTires
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Contour
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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