Dashboard is delaminating and peeling upward interfering with air bag deployment, defrosters and visibility. Ford has ongoing issues with this same problem on other ford products. I feel this is definitely a safety issue and quality issue.
The worst 2000 Ford Contour problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body79
- Fuel system38
- Visibility24
- Electrical16
- Engine14
- Airbags9
- Brakes9
- Seats5
- Suspension4
- Transmission4
- Acceleration3
- Lights3
- Seat belts3
- Steering1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Ford Contour
Recalls 5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles built with an incorrect power brake booster and master cylinder assembly.
- Risk
- If either the master cylinder or power brake booster is subsequently serviced with only one of the correct brake booster or master cylinder parts, brake performance would be reduced.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the correct contour brake booster and master cylinder in each of these vehicles. Owner notification began january 28, 2002. 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 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 01V045000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles. These vehicles may have a fuel tank filler pipe grommet that could have been damaged during the installation of the bi-fuel system. If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
- Risk
- If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler pipe grommet.
Recall number 00V350000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began october 26, 2000. 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.
Recall number 00V228001 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 00V075000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An incorrect label was installed on the driver side rear door. This label contains instructions for the activation of the childproof safety locks.
- Risk
- The operator of the vehicle may believe the childproof safety lock was activated when it was not, potentially allowing the door to be opened from the inside.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with a replacement label and installation instructions.
Recall number 99V361000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2000 Ford Contour
Defect investigations
Instrument panel cover warpage
The agency has denied a petition requesting an investigation of instrument panel warpage for the subject vehicles. The notice of denial was published in the federal register, volume 72, number 67, on monday, april 9, 2007, pages 17605 and 17606.see document search for details.
DP06004
Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Ford Contour 91
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001...
- Guidance for cng tank inspection for vehicles produced after december 2, 1996. tt update. tt
- Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. tt
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures. tt
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service...
- Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. tt
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code P0420 and/or P0430/ 2.5L engine only. tt
- Steering column shipped without crush pad - reuse original crush pad if not damaged. tt
- Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. tt
- Malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes P0171/P0174 or P1072/P0175 stored in memory or...
2000 Ford Contour fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 28-31 | 23-25 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26-27 | 21 |
What 2000 Ford Contour owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford contour. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal noise. In addition, the vehicle traction control activated when the brakes were activated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford contour. The contact stated that when the fuel tank was half full, the engine would hesitate, lose power, surge and stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the fuel pump and fuel filter were replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
I had just got on interstate when my car started cutting out. I immediately put my flashers on & tried to get in the left lane so I could get on shoulder of interstate but cars would not allow me to get over. My car died in middle of interstate. I called asap (a service in alabama for help on the interstate) & told them where I was & I needed them to bring me some gas. Then a car came flying up behind me but was able to stop & did not hit me. Then the car behind him had stopped but a truck behind her was not able to stop. He hit her, she hit the man behind me and he hit me. Paramedics were called for a 4 year old in the womans car who said his head hurt. I could have been killed if the car behind me had hit me and turned my car sideways & was hit on the side by another car, because everyone was driving way too fast and did not acknowledge my flashers at all. They would fly past me blowing their horns. Did they think I was stopped on purpose? Believe me if I could have made the car go I would have. This car does this sometimes when on a 1/4 tank of gas, and since this accident it has gotten worse. Now it does it on 3/4 tank. I do not get on interstate anymore. No one seems to be able to find out why these cars do this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford contour. The contact stated that after refueling, a strong odor of fuel was emitted from the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the filler pipe grommet was leaking. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v350000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 173,000.
Cars dashboard got so hot that it curled up causing the front defrosters not to work and also partially obstructing my vision while driving that car.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford contour. The contact stated that when putting fuel in the vehicle, the fuel would spill onto the ground. The dealer stated that the fuel filter grommet failed. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 00v350000 (fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly). The current and failure mileages were 67,400.
Instrument panel warping, loose bezel - the warping may adversely affect performance of the air bag system and does create loose instrument panel components (such as the defrost bezel) that was a projectile during a quick stop at a red light - for those reading - I do include personal info - my name is [xxx] if you could help with info re this complaint. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2000 ford contour svt, 71k miles the dashboard has been curling, from where the windshield meets the dashboard, for several years now. The process has been very slow, but has gotten to the point where it now severely interferes with defrost vent flow and vision. The defrost vent popped out a year ago and now does not fit. The curling of the dashboard does not provide for decent defrost and venting, which in addition to the 6 inches of dashboard that has curled up, interferes with adequate sight, especially for shorter drivers. I've had several others (strangers) stop me out-of-the-blue and inquire about my problem that they also have. Based on the many complaints that have been filed for this defect, a recall should be initiated by ford!
In my wifes car the dashboard near the windshield is starting to come up its right near the vent in the car it makes drive the car more difficult due to the dash is now block part of the windshield I was told this has happened to some one before and I would like to have this looked into.
Compare the 2000 Ford Contour
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Questions about the 2000 Ford Contour
Is the 2000 Ford Contour reliable?
Owners have filed 199 complaints about the 2000 Ford Contour, 49.8 times a typical Contour model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Ford Contour?
Body and structure, with 79 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles. Next is fuel system (38).
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Contour have?
5 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, other and seat belts.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ford Contour get?
Official estimates for the 2000 Ford Contour range from 21 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 28-31 highway.
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