CarBrief

NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Ford Contour, the fewest of any Contour year we list[1][2]. Owners in the complaints we read describe a warping dashboard, fuel pump stalling and fuel leaks, and five recalls are on file[3][4][5][6][7].

199owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
21–25MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Of the 199 complaints[1], 8 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 8 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Structure[9] 79
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 34
Unknown or other[11] 26
Visibility[12] 23
Electrical system[13] 16
Engine[14] 14
Brakes[15] 9
Air bags[16] 9

Structure. In a sample of complaints we read for this group, owners describe the dashboard or instrument panel lifting, warping or pulling away from the windshield, with vents pushed out of line[9]. A few mention worry about the passenger air bag.

Visibility. The sample for this group tells a related story. Owners describe the dashboard coming unglued or peeling until the defroster cannot clear the windshield[12]. Median mileage at failure is 57,500 for visibility[12] and 43,000 for structure[9].

Fuel system. Owners in the sample describe stalling and fuel pump replacements, often when the tank is low. Others describe fuel leaking or spilling near the filler[10]. Median mileage is 54,500[10].

Electrical. The sample includes cars that stall or will not run, which dealers linked to wiring[13]. One owner describes a starter that kept cranking and smoking wires, and the group lists 1 fire[13].

Brakes and air bags. Each group has only 9 complaints[15][16]. Air bags show 3 crashes and 3 injuries, and brakes show 2 crashes and 2 injuries[15][16]. The counts are small, so we do not call either a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this car, newest first.

NHTSA's recall page shows whether a specific car is covered.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions of the Contour, all front-wheel drive and all on regular fuel.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[17] 19 / 28 / 23 $2,900
2.0L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[8] 21 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.5L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[18] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
2.5L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[19] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door 2000 Contour as not rated[20]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not say the car is safe or unsafe.

How 2000 compares with other years

1995: 891 complaints, 8 recalls19951996: 563 complaints, 8 recalls19961997: 218 complaints, 5 recalls19971998: 846 complaints, 9 recalls19981999: 419 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 199 complaints, 5 recalls1992000
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Contour model year. The 2000 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19958918
19965638
19972185
19988469
19994193
20001995

NHTSA lists these complaint and recall counts for each Contour year[2].

Year Complaints Recalls
1995 891 8
1996 563 8
1997 218 5
1998 846 9
1999 419 3
2000 199 5

The 2000 model year has the fewest complaints of the six years[2]. Its 5 recalls tie 1997, sit below 1995, 1996 and 1998, and sit above 1999[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2000 Contour?

The complaint count is the lowest of the Contour years we list, but it is still 199 reports[1][2]. In the samples we read, owners describe a dashboard that warps and can block the defroster[9][12]. They also describe fuel pump stalling and fuel leaks[10]. Look at the dashboard, ask about fuel pump history, and check the car's VIN on NHTSA's recall page before you pay. The EPA ratings put the 2.0L manual at the top of the range at 25 combined MPG[8].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Contour?
Structure has the most complaints at 79, followed by the fuel system at 34[9][10]. In the samples we read, owners describe dashboard warping and fuel pump stalling[9][10].
Has the 2000 Ford Contour been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists five recalls, covering brakes, a fuel filler grommet, seat belt buckles, rear brake valves and a child lock label[3][4][5][6][7].
What is the gas mileage of a 2000 Ford Contour?
EPA combined ratings run from 21 to 25 MPG depending on engine and transmission[17][8][18][19]. The 2.0L manual gets 25[8].
Which Ford Contour year has the fewest complaints?
Among the years NHTSA lists, 2000 has the fewest at 199, ahead of 1997 at 218[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 199 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Ford Contour (8 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Contour model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 01V045, filed February 14, 2001: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 00V350, filed October 30, 2000: Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 00V228, filed August 18, 2000: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 00V075, filed March 9, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 99V361, filed December 29, 1999: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 79 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 34 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 23 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 14 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 9 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 9 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Contour, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Contour, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.