Skip to main content
CarMonitor home

Transport Canada + NRCan

1997 Ford Contour

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

5

5 current

Combined

10.2L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,569

16,249 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs are almost always free. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number. Transport Canada’s own wording is that a manufacturer “will almost always make these repairs free of charge”, so being asked to pay for recall work is unusual and worth questioning. Since 2018 the Minister of Transport can order a company to pay for repairs so owners do not bear the cost.

Other

Transport Canada recall 2001205 · manufacturer campaign 01S23

7 August 2001

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1997–1998 · Mystique 1997–1998

What is wrong

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. Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire in some cases. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install spring catcher brackets.

23,351 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 2001195 · manufacturer campaign 01S22

16 July 2001

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Cougar 1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

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. The damage could, over time, cause increased resistance in the connector and, due to subsequent terminal relaxation, result in an open circuit condition. The heater blower resistor may overheat causing the attached electrical connector to melt, creating the potential for a fire.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness.

28,272 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2000077 · manufacturer campaign 00S03

21 March 2000

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–2000 · Cougar 1999–2000 · Mystique 1996–2000

What is wrong

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. If both PCRVs malfunction, vehicle handling may be adversely affected during braking as a result of the rear wheels locking, which could potentially result in a vehicle crash.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install improved PCRVs in the rear brake system.

43,458 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Lights And Instruments

Transport Canada recall 1999094 · manufacturer campaign 99S14

19 May 1999

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1996–1998 · Mystique 1996–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the terminals at the headlight switch and wiring harness connector may experience heat damage as a result of overheating. This can cause distortion of the terminal and an open circuit in the instrument panel illumination, parking lamp and tail lamp circuits.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a headlamp switch wiring connector containing bronze terminals and inspect and if necessary, replace the headlamp switch.

56,107 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Powertrain

Transport Canada recall 1998208 · manufacturer campaign 98S26

21 October 1998

Transport Canada lists: Contour 1995–1998 · Mystique 1995–1998

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the floor shift automatic transmission control may be damaged if subjected to certain vehicle interior cleaning products. If exposed to these products, the transmission gear position indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position. If this occurs, the shifter will continue to operate normally, but there is the potential for incorrect gear selection.

What the dealer will do

Automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced.

19,492 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Compact
In its class
More efficient than 61% of 109 1997 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
235 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 1997 Ford Contour and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

Only when a new recall lands. Unsubscribe in one click.

Common questions

Does the 1997 Ford Contour have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 5 recalls on record for the 1997 Ford Contour. Recall repairs are almost always free at a manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 1997 Ford Contour get?
NRCan rates the 1997 Ford Contour at 10.2 L/100 km combined, emitting 235 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 1997 Ford Contour for a year?
At 16,249 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,569 in fuel, producing roughly 3,829 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 6 August 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. These are average residential rates. A car’s charging is added on top of what your home already uses, so on a tiered, time-of-use or subsidised tariff it is billed at your top rate rather than this average — which makes the real cost higher, especially in the territories. Enter your own rate for an accurate figure. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.