1997 Ford Contour Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford Contour. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.

• 01V230000Jul 9, 2001342,962 vehicles potentially affected
  Electrical system
  Covers: Ford Contour 1996–1998, Mercury Mystique 1996–1998, Cougar 1999

  Reported issue: On certain my 1996-1998 passenger vehicles built at the kansas city, cuautitlan assembly plants or on my 1999 passenger vehcles built at the automotive alliance international assembly plants, the rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to…

  Possible consequence: The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.

  Remedy: Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness. Owner notification began august 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

  Full campaign details →

• 00V075000Mar 9, 2000436,200 vehicles potentially affected
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
  Covers: Ford Contour 1996–2000, Mercury Mystique 1996–2000, Cougar 1999–2000

  Reported issue: 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.

  Possible consequence: If both pcrv's malfunction, vehicle handling could be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

  Full campaign details →

• 99V103000May 5, 1999605,581 vehicles potentially affected
  Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
  Covers: Ford Contour 1996–1998, Mercury Mystique 1996–1998

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.

  Possible consequence: The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.

  Remedy: Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.

  Full campaign details →

• 98V233000Sep 18, 1998175,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
  Covers: Ford Contour 1995–1998, Mercury Mystique 1995–1998

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.

  Possible consequence: This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.

  Full campaign details →

• 97V203000Nov 17, 19971,800 vehicles potentially affected
  Fuel system, other › Storage
  Covers: Ford Contour 1996–1997

  Reported issue: 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. If the vehicle is in a collision and the natural gas fuel line is damaged, the system could leak natural gas.

  Possible consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

  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. Owners are being alerted to this solenoid valve concern at this time. The timing of corrective actions is being delayed to…

  Full campaign details →

NHTSA investigations

• RQ02006Incorrect gear indicationClosed · Feb 26, 2002
• EA01001Blower switch/resistor or wiring harnessClosed · Jan 5, 2001
• PE00023Blower switch/resistor or wiring harnessClosed · Jun 14, 2000
• RQ99019Various intermittent electrical issuesClosed · Sep 15, 1999

← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Contour