- The problem
- Federal mogul is recalling 6,903 aftermarket ball joint assemblies shipped between november 9, 2007 and march 26, 2008, which may have been packaged with incorrect nuts. The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: k7147, k7329, k8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above.
- The risk
- The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (self-locking) feature. If the incorrect nut was to become loose, the joining members may loosen leading to a separation of the ball joint. This may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Federal mogul will notify owners and replace the parts free of charge. The recall began on may 22, 2008. Owners can contact federal mogul at 877-489-6659.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Ford Contour Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 234 complaints about the 1997 Ford Contour with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (42) and the engine & cooling (39). Those complaints describe 11 crashes, 12 fires and 12 injuries. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in April 2008 for the suspension. For comparison, the 1996 has 581 and the 1998 has 861.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Contour year, for its age
#30 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 234
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 11
- Fires
- 12
- Injuries
- 12
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Ford Contour problems
Share of all 234 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Ford Contour recalls 8
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain ford, daimlerchrysler, and jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Only products that were manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.
- The risk
- Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Affinia (brake parts, inc.) Will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.
- The problem
- 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 subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition.
- The risk
- The open circuit could lead to electrical arcing that could melt the connector housing material creasing the potential for a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1995-1997 ford contour and mercury mystique vehicles. The heater blower resistor could overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt.
- The risk
- THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
- The fix
- Ford will provide additional warranty coverage for the heater blower switch for 10 years from original date of sale of the vehicle or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness free of charge.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector can experience heat damage as a result of overheating.
- The risk
- The damage could result in distortion of the terminal causing an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp, and tail lamp circuits.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and an inspection, and replacement if necessary, of the headlamp switch.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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 allow both conditions to be remedied at one time. In the meantime, there is not risk as long as the natural gas system has been disabled and the vheicle is only operated on gasoline.
What owners say
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234 complaints about the 1997 Ford Contour
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 10.
Tl* 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 *cn status update 03/19/13
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. Now ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what I already know and can plainly see! *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated the vehicle repeatedly decelerates and accelerates without warrant. When the air conditioner was being operated, the vehicle would begin to shake violently. It would also take an unusually long time for the air conditioner to engage and would blow only hot air. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
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. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that there was a bad ground in the main line harness, which caused the electrical system in the vehicle to fail. The vehicle was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 116,000 and failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While attempting to shift gears, the gear indicator displayed an inaccurate reading. The dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 98v233000 (powertrain:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift). The vehicle has not been repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 78,000. Updated 01/29/08 *bf updated 01/29/08 *tr
Bought a 1997 ford contour and 4 days later the head gasket blew. After being in shop over a month and many other problems repaired I finally got car back and the very next day the head gasket blew again within 2 miles from my house. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While the contact applied the brakes at 30 mph, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle drove uphill and into a parking lot and stopped by emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 141,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf the consumer stated the hydraulic vacuum line was leaking. Updated 02/01/08 *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that the defroster stopped working. The vehicle was serviced for nhtsa recall # 01i009000 (visibility:defroster/defogger system:windshield:controls/wiring) in 2001. The instrument panel and tail lights also do not work. The vehicle was serviced for nhtsa recall # 99v103000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) in 1999. The current mileage is 92,794 and failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf updated 02/01/08 *tr
Incident like many others I have had my 1997 ford expedition xlt blow a spark plug out of the cylinder head. The vehicle was running fine and trouble free when a pop from under the hood and a loud banging noise came from the engine head. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop ; who in turn called the local ford dealer. The reply was they never heard of this problem before. My local service tech said the repair kit alone would cost $1,000,00. To repair it he said that ford had only used 3 threads in the head that...
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failed, but are now replacing them with a 7 thread head., This tells me that they are very aware of the problem but are willing to leave their customers out to dry.. I guess the scary part about that is I still have 4 more 3 thread spark plug holes to worry about blowing out,.I absolutely feel this should be the responsibility of ford motor company who is looking for the american public to buy it's trucks. Damage resulting it will cost me as little as $2,500.00 To repair the current problem ( and no guaranty it won't happen again). Or up to $5,500.00 To replace the built tough 5.4 Triton engine. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While driving 25 mph on 3/19/07 the driver felt something heavy fall on his foot and he began to lose control of the steering wheel. The steering column fell on the brake pedal and he couldn't stop the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a parked truck. The passenger side air deployed; however, the driver side didn't deploy. Two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries to their knees and chests. The police officer stated that he never heard of a...
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steering column breaking while driving. The contact stated in the state of wisconsin insurance was not required as she was uninsured. The service mechanic on 01/13/07 stated that the brake failure was due to the brake hose being loose. The failure mileage was with 158,000. The contact doesnt have the current mileage. *Ak
I have 1997 ford contour se. I have had several problems with it, check engine light comes on constantly, radiator light comes on constantly, runs poorly. I had all checked when they happen on multilple occasions. After doing some research on the internet, I found that there may be a problem with the wiring harness in the engine compartment. I was told by a freind that he had heard of a problem like this and ford was fixing them, and I should call the dealer. I called the dealer and they confirmed there was a...
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recall but based on my vin I was not included due to the age of my car. This was done at brandon ford around the july/august time frame. Thinking that I had to do the repair myself, due to the cost at the dealership (over $3000.00), I started looking for parts myself on the internet. There I found the recall/ext. Warranty info. 99M03 and in this it states 10 years or 100,000 mile. I again got hope that maybe they had missread the recall at the dealer ship. I then returned with vin and the info 99m03 in had and one of their service advisers confirmed that it should be covered. I then made an appointment for the next day to drop the car off at 8:30am to have it done. I call that same day at 2:30pm to check to see if and for how long I wounld need a rental car. I was told at that time that my car was not covered due to it's age and that it ran out on 10/26/06. Had the first person looked the info. Up properly back in the july/august time frame it would have been fixed. I was also told by the service manager that the repair would take them approx. 3 Days to do, and for only gives them 6-7 hrs to do it, so they lose money to do these repairs. Based on the 99m03 info I should have recieved a letter stating the ext. Warranty which I did not, but had recieved other recall info. *Nm
I responded to a service advisory about a faulty blower fan switch. The switch was replaced but it was apparently replaced with another faulty switch which failed. I had the fan replaced at a local service station to the tune of $192.64. Ford would not replace the faulty fan switch. *Nm
Dt: the consumer stated that 1997 ford contour was having a problem with the interior lights and the tail lights. The consumer bought the vehicle used, and ford told her that the taillights were on recall 99v133000 and was already fixed. The dealership will not fix the vehicle again. The consumer did not want to pay for the repairs, and she wanted some one to fix it. The consumer has only owned the vehicle for one month. The car is at the dealership right now being checked.*Ak
Electrical system failure, vehicle would sometimes start and sometimes it would not, when vehicle on the road it would stop when making a stop at a stop sign or red light, or when turning either left or right. *Nm
Driver side tie-rod seperation '97 ford expedition while driving at 50 mph on highway. Lose of steering control. Serious accident avoided only because of emergency braking.
Dt: 01s22 ford recall. Consumer had recall work done . Dealer should have replaced the heater blower switch and a wire jumper harness. Dealer completed work on march 15, 2002. Dealer iwas mike shad ford in jacksonville, florida. Last tuesday july 12, 2005 the wire jumper harness caught on fire while consumer was driving vehicle on side street, glenwood ave., At night. Flames shot up from where windshield wipers were located. Flame lasted a couple seconds then were gone. Consumer pulled over, contacted fire...
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department, and had vehicle towed to a dealership. Dealer don jenkins ford in suquay, north carolina. Consumer contacted insurance company and they said it was a defect so they would not pay. Consumer found on nhtsa website that ford offered a warranty on this recall of 10 years from original date of sale or 150,000 miles. When she contacted ford they told her that warranty was only 100,000 miles and nhtsa website information was incorrect. Ford will not fix vehicle for consumer. *Ak
The vehicle caught on fire after being parked for 2 minutes. The local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire marshall informed the consumer that the cause might have been an electrical short. The dealer was not notified at this time. *Ak *sc *jb
1997 Ford contour gl 4 cyl 123,000 miles. My right front coil spring is broken and the other three look to be heavily rusted and cracked. I have called the dealership and they have no information about the tsb 98m04 about which I was never notified.*Ak
22 Yr. Old son matt crashed his 1997 ford contour into utility pole-feels bearings caused him to lose control of steering. Inner windshield driver's side post at corner came apart, plastic on interior-which stopped at top of post and wasn't connected to anything on inside of roof-popped out and lacerated his left eyeball. The eyeball interior was protruding and surgery was necessary to stitch the eyeball back together. He will eventually need a cornea transplant to get decent vision from that eye. The right eye sustained blunt trauma which caused a hematoma to develop which caused blindness until it's recent removal. Restoration of eyesight in the right eye is a slow progress.*Ak
1997 Expedition spontaneously caught fire in the driveway 45 minutes after it had been driven. The fire department and police came and put out what was almost a catastrophic house fire. The truck was a total loss. To replace it with something comparable we bought a 99 expedition. We were out $8000 in the trade. The older expedition had one car payment left on it before the fire. Now I am horrified that we have another on in the driveway.*Ak
The headlight switch wiring caused an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, the park lights and tail lights. *Jb
Headlights overheated, causing the electrical harness to melt.*Ak the consumer noticed that the vehicle lights were not working. Nhtsa campaign id number : 99v103000. The problem has not been corrected as of yet. *Tc
While parked in the driveway vehicle caught on fire. *Ak
Shift lever does not engage drive when shifted to d position; will only engage when shifted to 2 position.*Ak
Ford Contour: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | A |
| 2000 | 251 | 7 | C |
| 1999 | 444 | 5 | D |
| 1998 | 861 | 12 | F |
| 1997 | 234 | 8 | C |
| 1996 | 581 | 11 | F |
| 1995 | 908 | 12 | F |
| 1994 | 12 | 0 | A |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | A |
1997 Ford Contour vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Ford Contour | 234 | 8 | C | |
| 1997 Ford Aspire | 76 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Aerostar | 63 | 5 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Club Wagon | 44 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Aeromax | 3 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Ford B700 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford C Series | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Bronco | 1 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Ford Contour
Does the 1997 Ford Contour have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 1997 Ford Contour: suspension (April 2008); service brakes, hydraulic (March 2006); electrical system (July 2001); electrical heating element (July 2001) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Contour?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (42), engine & cooling (39), brakes (30).
How many complaints has the 1997 Ford Contour had?
234 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 28, 1996 and the latest on February 6, 2013. Of these, 11 describe a crash and 12 a fire, and together they report 12 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Ford Contour a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 51 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford Contour year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Contour years have the most complaints?
1995 (908), 1998 (861), 1996 (581). See every Ford Contour year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Ford Contour has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data