The most-reported Contour run is 1FALP6538SK (1995 builds) with 28 complaints, 7.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 20% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 4.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for Contour model years 1995–2000.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Contour has 663 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 5% of every Contour complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FALP6538SK•••••• | 1995 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1FALP6530WK•••••• | 1998 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1FALP6536SK•••••• | 1995 | 2 | — | |
| 1FALP6537SK•••••• | 1995 | — | 1 | |
| 1FALP6539SK•••••• | 1995 | — | 2 | |
| 1FALP653XTK•••••• | 1996 | — | 1 | |
| 1FALP6536TK•••••• | 1996 | 1 | — | |
| 1FALP6538TK•••••• | 1996 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FALP6537WK•••••• | 1998 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1FALP6534TK•••••• | 1996 | 2 | — | |
| 1FALP6532WK•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1FALP6533WK•••••• | 1998 | 3 | 2 |
Each of the other 651 Contour runs has 20 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Contour the gap between build years is 1.6×: a 1995 car draws 4.2 complaints per run, a 1997 one 2.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 145 | 50 | 7 | |
| 1999 | 324 | 84 | 22 | |
| 1998 | 673 | 195 | 38 | |
| 1997 | 178 | 68 | 8 | |
| 1996 | 461 | 121 | 24 | |
| 1995 | 698 | 166 | 25 |
Heaviest year here is 1995 at 4.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1997 at 2.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 20% of everything Ford Contour owners report: Electrical System, 446 of 2,479 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 66 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 | 26 | |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 24 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 4 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 24 | 1 | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 4 | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 4 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 27 recall campaigns on the Ford Contour; the 6 below cover build years 1995 to 2000. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E022000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1995–2000 |
| 08E033000 | Suspension | 1995–2000 |
| 00V075000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 1996–2000 |
| 98V233000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift | 1995–1998 |
| 00V350000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly | 1998–2000 |
| 99V103000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 1996–1998 |
How serious were they
Of the 2,479 reports on the Ford Contour, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Contour | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,479 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 124 (5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 102 (4.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 134 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 11 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Contour share of that is 2,479 complaints over 663 runs, 0.22% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Contour VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,479 NHTSA complaints from 663 Contour runs and 27 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Contour production run has the most complaints?
1FALP6538SK, a 1995 build, with 28 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Contour run has 3.7.
Which Contour years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 4.2 complaints per run and 1997 lightest at 2.6.
How many Contour complaints involve a crash?
5% of 2,479 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 102 involved a fire.
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