Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 179 of 218 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 31 of 218 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
49 complaint records8 fire reports
"THIS ITEM WAS COVERED ONCE UNDER MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND ONCE UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
46 complaint records
"THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING AND THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *YC..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Power train
31 complaint records
"TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS. MAY 1ST, JUNE 26TH AND AUGUST 17TH/2000. EACH TIME TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. *CJ..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ02006 opened Feb 2002 | closed Sep 2002 | Power Train | INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION - led to recall 98V233000 There is no summary currently available |
| EA01001 opened Jan 2001 | closed Jul 2001 | Electrical System | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS - led to recall 01V230000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE00023 opened Jun 2000 | closed Jan 2001 | Electrical System | BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS There is no summary currently available |
| RQ99019 opened Sep 1999 | closed Mar 2001 | Unknown Or Other | VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES - led to recall 99V243000 There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01V230000 | Electrical System | 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... | Normally free |
| 00V075000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 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... | Normally free |
| 99V103000 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING. | Normally free |
| 98V233000 | Power Train | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. | Normally free |
| 97V203000 | Fuel System, Other | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001205 2001-08-07 | Other | 23,351 | Certain passenger vehicles sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec . The front coil springs may fracture as a result of corrosion in high corrosion environments. |
| 2001195 2001-07-16 | Powertrain | 28,272 | Certain passenger vehicles. The rough surface of the heater blower resistor's stainless steel blades can damage the copper surface of the wiring harness connector. |
| 2000077 2000-03-21 | Brakes | 43,458 | On certain vehicles, the pressure conscious reducing valve (PCRV) in each of the rear brakes may be subject to malfunction due to corrosion when operated in areas of high road salt use. |
| 1999094 1999-05-19 | Lights And Instruments | 56,107 | On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. |
| 1998208 1998-10-21 | Powertrain | 19,492 | On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 020503 Mar 2005 | Fuel System | GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT UPDATE. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 041516 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE(S) P0420 AND/OR P0430. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16880 Jun 2003 | Electrical System | INOPERATIVE SHIFT INTERLOCK SOLENOID OR REPEAT INSTRUMENT INTERFACE MODULE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 03102 May 2003 | Fuel System | COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). ROUGH IDLE OR NO START WHEN COLD. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CNG BI-FUEL ENGINE ONLY. *TT | |
| 03103 May 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES WITHOUT THE COOLANT LOCK-OFF MAY EXHIBIT A NO START CONDITION. *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 022001 Oct 2002 | Equipment | REPLACEMENT SPEAKER INSTALLATION TIPS. *TT | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 15894 May 2002 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING AUTOMATIC SHIFTER ASSEMBLY OR THE INDICATOR HOUSING REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 0253 Mar 2002 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TANK INSPECTION. *TT | |
| 0224 Feb 2002 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT HARSH AND DELAYED 1-2/2-3 UPSHIFTS AFTER TRANSAXLE OR TURBINE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT, POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 628, 642, 645, 646, 647, 648, P0731, P0732, P0734, P0741 AND P01744. *TT | |
| 15636 Feb 2002 | Exterior Lighting | CONCERN WITH HEADLAMPS AND/OR INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS DIMMING SLIGHTLY AT IDLE. *TT | |
| 0214 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT | |
| 15241 Jan 2002 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 01231 Nov 2001 | Fuel System | SOME COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGH IDLE OR NO START WHEN COLD. *TT | |
| 15390 Nov 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND/OR EGR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 332, P0401, P1407 (LACKOF EGR FLOW). *TT | |
| 01214 Oct 2001 | Vehicle Speed Control | INFORMATION TO AID IN DIAGNOSIS FOR CLARIFICATION OF LOCK-OFF SOLENOID AND SOLENOID TANK VALVE COIL RSISTANCES FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 01205 Oct 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT | |
| 01181 Sep 2001 | Power Train | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB | |
| 15241 Sep 2001 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE THAT APPEARS TO COME FROM THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT | |
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 01M07 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF FUNCTION WITH THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH IN ONE OR MORE SWITCH POSITIONS. *SLC | |
| 15065 Jul 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A/C DISCHARGE AIR TEMPERATURES DIFFERENCES OF GREATER THAN 10 DEGREES F FROM REGISTERS ON LEFT SIDE OF DASH THAN ON RIGHT. *TT | |
| 14877 May 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES MAY ILLUMINATE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR RUN ROUGH AFTER THE CATALYST IS REMOVED AND / OR REPLACED. THIS MAY BE DUE TO VACUUM LEAKS AS A RESULT OF TOLERANCE STACKUP WITHIN THE EXHAUST / EGR / INTAKE SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 0147 Mar 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT | |
| 14775 Mar 2001 | Exterior Lighting | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (DRL) MAY EXHIBIT THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLASHING WHEN THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS ARE ON. *TT | |
| 00239 Nov 2000 | Electrical System | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WITH POSSIBLE ELECTRONC DAMAGE OCCURING TO THE COMPUVALVE FROM VOLTAGE SPIKES BETWEEN THE COMPUVALVE CONNECTIONS WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING THE MAIN COMPUVALVE HARNESS C4025. *TT | |
| 14490 Nov 2000 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L DURATEC (24V) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 AND / OR P0430. *TT | |
| 00S03 Sep 2000 | Service Brakes | SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL REDUCING VALVE REPLACEMENT. *JB | |
| 00182 Sep 2000 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT NO FORWARD GEAR RANGES DUE TO THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE FORWARD / COAST CLUTCH CYLINDER SNAP RING WITH RESPECT TO THE LEGS OF THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. *JB | |
| 14375 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OVERHEAT CONDITION DUE TO LACK OF CIRCULATION OF COOLANT. *JB | |
| 00152 Jul 2000 | Fuel System | ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF VIBRATION NOISE FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE AFTER INSTALLATION OF THE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) TANK ON BI-FUEL VEHICLES ONLY. *JB | |
| 00141 Jul 2000 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A NO START CONDITION AND / OR THE 10 AMP GFI INJECTOR FUSE MAY OPEN. *JB | |
| 0085 Apr 2000 | Fuel System | DUE TO AN INTERNAL DESIGN CHANGE TO THE SOLENOID TANK VALVE, THE PRESSURE RELEASE DEVICE (PRD) CAN NO LONGER BE REMOVED FROM THE TANK VALVE WITHOUT FIRST VENTING THE FUEL TANK. **MR | |
| 98164 Apr 2000 | Structure | A TRANSEAL COATING IS ON THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. THIS COATING MUST BE REMOVED BEFORE DELIVERY TO THE CUSTOMER. YD | |
| 98166 Apr 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS HIGH IN THE NORMAL RANGE WHEN ENGINE IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. | |
| 00611 Mar 2000 | Power Train | SOME BI-FUEL VEHICLES MAY REQUIRE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REPLACEMENT DURING SERVICE AND MAY NOT RUN ON CNG OR LPG., RECALIBRATION OF THE PCM/REPLACEMENT. *MJS | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 0019 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING SEVERAL INTERNAL CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED ON THE MRX-75 TRANSAXLE TO IMPROVE SHIFT EFFORTS. *MJS | |
| 7864 Jan 2000 | Electrical System | WORLD WIDE DIAGNOSTICS SERVICE TIP. | |
| 7923 Jan 2000 | Power Train | CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER SERVICE. | |
| 13761 Jan 2000 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0L ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF CLUTCH SLIPPAGE OR NO CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT AFTER PERFORMINB REPAIRS TO THE CLUTCH SYSTEM. *MJS | |
| 99249 Nov 1999 | Power Train | THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES AN ISSUE WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SEEPING FROM THE VENT, RESULTING IN FLUID COLLECTING ON THE MAIN CONTROL ASSEMBLY. *TT | |
| 7344 Nov 1999 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION AT 60-70 MPH. *TT | |
| 7349 Nov 1999 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINE AND CD4E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVELINE RATTLE OR CLUNKING TYPE NOISE DURING TIP-IN OR TRANSMISSION GEAR ENGAGEMENT. *TT | |
| 7430 Nov 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | INFORMATION REGARDING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH VOLTAGE READINGS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 13454 Nov 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | SUBJECT REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH VOLTAGE READINGS - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 99M01 Nov 1999 | Visibility | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE BLOWER SWITCH, RESISTOR AND ATTACHED WIRE CONNECTORS. THIS ADDITIONAL COVERAGE IS PROVIDED IN CASE THE VEHICLE OWNER EXPERIENCES DURABILITY CONCERNS WITH THESE COMPONENTS. *TT | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT | |
| 99201 Oct 1999 | Power Train | CONCERNS WITH A HARSH SHIFT FELT AT LARGE THROTTLE OPENINGS (OR AT HEAVY ACCELERATION RATE) ON SOME VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 13316 Oct 1999 | Power Train | EXHIBITING A DRIVELINE RATTLE OR CLUNKING TYPE NOISE DURING TIP-IN OR TRANSMISSION GEAR ENGAGEMENT. *TT | |
| 13364 Oct 1999 | Suspension | CUSTOMER MAY COMMENT ON VIBRATION AT 60 - 70 MPH AT CRUISE. *TT | |
| 13387 Oct 1999 | Suspension | VEHICLES WITH REAR DISC BRAKES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK IN THE REAR SUSPENSION AREA. *TT | |
| 13379 Oct 1999 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINE AND CD4E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVELINE RATTLE OR CLUNKING TYPE NOISE DURING TIP-IN OR TRANSMISSION GEAR ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
Showing 60 of 203 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Contour →