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 360 of 419 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 135 of 419 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.
Body & structure
94 complaint records1 crash report
"CONSUMER STATED THAT DASHBOARD WAS DETACHING FROM THE GRILL, AND IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *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 body & structure parts in the directory →
Electrical system
73 complaint records10 fire reports1 crash report
"THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING AND IN GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER REJECTED THE CLAIM. *JB..."- 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
57 complaint records2 fire reports1 crash report
"INTERMITTENT STALLING; THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER , AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *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 engine & cooling 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP06004 opened Oct 2006 | closed Apr 2007 | Visibility | 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... |
| 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00V350000 | Fuel System, Other | 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. | 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 |
| 99V060000 | Electrical System | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WHICH UTILIZE A PARK/LOCK SOLENOID. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000285 2000-11-28 | Fuel System | 35 | On certain vehicles, a fuel tank filler pipe grommet could have been damaged during the installation of the bi-fuel system. If the grommet is damaged, fuel could leak. |
| 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. |
| 1999049 1999-03-25 | Other | 340 | Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Locking System. It may be possible to rotate the ignition key to the "LOCK" position and remove the key without the shift lever and transmission being in "PARK". |
| 1998243 1998-12-21 | Visual System | 31,170 | Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 205 - glazing materials. The windshields on were produced without the "AS1" mark as required by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z26.1. |
| 1998234 1998-11-23 | Emissions | 1,236 | Certain vehicles may not comply with CMVSS 1105 - evaporative emissions. The rear fuel lines may allow fuel to seep and evaporate at the metal line to nylon tube joint at the rear of the vehicle near the fuel filter. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP-08B01 May 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE | |
| 020503 Mar 2005 | Fuel System | GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT UPDATE. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 04104 May 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 AND/OR P0430/ 2.5L ENGINE ONLY. *TT | |
| 041814 Jan 2004 | Steering | STEERING COLUMN SHIPPED WITHOUT CRUSH PAD - REUSE ORIGINAL CRUSH PAD IF NOT DAMAGED. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17174 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171/P0174 OR P1072/P0175 STORED IN MEMORY OR AS HARD FAULTS. HESITATION, LACK OF POWER OR RUNS ROUGH CONDITION. *TT | |
| 031514 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) MAY BE ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P1380, P1381, P1383, AND/OR P0340 MAY BE STORED IN MEMORY. *TT | |
| 17009 Aug 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH NO HARD FAULT. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 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 | |
| 0346 Mar 2003 | Structure | INSTRUMENT PANEL WARPAGE REPAIR. *TT *JB | |
| 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 | |
| 16028 Jul 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT MULTIPLE MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES WITH NO DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS NOTED. *TT | |
| 01B78 May 2002 | Unknown Or Other | SUBJECT REGARDING INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE. *JG | |
| 15828 Apr 2002 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1213, B1342, B1601, B2431. *TT | |
| 15830 Apr 2002 | Electrical System | BATTERY LAMP ON, HOWEVER THE CHARGING SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TT | |
| 0253 Mar 2002 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TANK INSPECTION. *TT | |
| 0245 Mar 2002 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *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 | |
| 01B78 Dec 2001 | Unknown Or Other | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 01B78 SUPPLEMENT #1 REGARDING INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER WARPAGE. *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 | |
| 01B78 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE WARPAGE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER AT THE FRONT EDGE OF THE INSTUMENT PANEL COVER NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND AROUND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. *SLC | |
| 01136 Jul 2001 | Fuel System | SUBJECT REGARDING OVERVIEW OF BI-FUEL CNG VEHICLE PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION DATA (PID), INPUTS AND OUTPUTS AS A DIAGNOSTIC AID FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 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 | |
| 0162 Apr 2001 | Electrical System | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) MAY NOT START OR CRANK. *TT | |
| 14836 Apr 2001 | Steering | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CD4E TRANSAXLE, (DOES NOT APPLY TO MTX) MAY EXHIBIT A POWER STEERING GRUNT / MOAN TYPE NOISE WHEN RETURNING FROM A RIGHT TURN. *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 | |
| 0114 Jan 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXPERIENCING A SPARK KNOCK OR PRE-IGNITION CONDITION ON VEHICLES WITH AN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSION DURING STEADY CRUISE DRIVING OR UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. *TT | |
| 14596 Jan 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXHIBITING ONE OR MULTIPLE STUDS BREAK ON EXHAUST FLANGES. *JB | |
| 00252 Dec 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON SOME VEHICLES, AN OBJECTIONABLE EXHAUST, SULFUR, OR ROTTEN EGG ODOR FOLLOWING AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, SUCH AS FULL-THROTTLE ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR. *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 | |
| 00186 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITION WHEN THE WIPER SWITCH IS IN THE INTERMITTENT OR LOW-SPEED SETTING DURING VEHICLE START-UP. *JB | |
| 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 | |
| 14355 Sep 2000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION PERTAINING TO DURATEC OIL PAN INVESTIGATION. *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 | |
| 8299 Apr 2000 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CREAKING NOISE OR SQUEAKING TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. **MR |
Showing 60 of 182 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.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- 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.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 3 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 →