Two problems related to engine shut off without warning have been reported for the 1997 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Problems occurred since car was less than 500 miles old. The cutting off of the engine has been reported from that time and still occurs after 17,600 miles. Problem cannot be found. Loss control of vehicle when the abs and engine shut down when driving during a snowy weather. Loss control of car and went off the road. Other problems include driver seat moves forward intermittently when braking.
Car will crank over, but will not start. It has occurred 5 times. Four times it required to be towed to the service dept at Ford for repairs. Only once did the vehicle shut down while driving approx 40 miles an hour. The fuel pump has been replaced twice since I have owned the car, however when the car gets towed into the dealers, they are not able to really determine what is the defect with the car.