IllustrationTWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE CONSUMER WAS TOLD ALL WIRING WAS NOT INSULATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE DANGEROUS TO START. NLM
1995 Ford Contour
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Contour years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Contour are substantially higher than the model-year median of 218.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Contour years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 78 of 891 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 224 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
38 crash reports65 fire reports28 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
180 reportsHORN MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BATTERY FAILED. MJS
PROTECTIVE COATING ON WIRE HARNESS IS FLAKING OFF ONTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS CAUSES BEAR WIRES TO BE TOUCHING. A HAZARD DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH A RATHER BUSY INTERSECTION THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE, BUT SAID THAT THEY WOU…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH A RATHER BUSY INTERSECTION THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS TYPE, BUT SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED FOR WRITTEN CONFIRMATION AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T "DO THAT". I DON'T BELIEVE THAT MY PROBLEM WAS AN ISOLATED CASE.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP 5-17-99 NOT FIXED UNTIL 5-21-99. REPLACED MODULE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 6-11-99 AND PRESENTED CAR TO THE SARASOTA FORD DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THIS DEALERSHIP WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CALLED PHOENIX AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP. DEALERSHIP STATES VEHICLE I…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP 5-17-99 NOT FIXED UNTIL 5-21-99. REPLACED MODULE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 6-11-99 AND PRESENTED CAR TO THE SARASOTA FORD DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THIS DEALERSHIP WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CALLED PHOENIX AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP. DEALERSHIP STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THEY WILL CONTACT PHOENIX AMERICAN FOR AUTHORIZATION. PHOENIX AMERICAN REQUESTED THE FORD COMPANY SHARE IN THIS EXPENSE. THE FORD COMPANY HAS DENIED THIS REQUEST. NEITHER THE FORD COMPANY NOR PHOENIX AMERICAN WILL NOW COVER THE TOTAL REWIRING OF THE VEHICLE. PHOENIX AMERICAN WILL ONLY COVER "ONE" WIRE TO BE REPLACED. SARASOTA FORD STATES ALL WIRING MUST BE REPLACED AS IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND THE COST IS $6,000. ALL REPAIRS TO THIS VEHICLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COMPLETED BY SARASOTA. I FEEL THAT NO CAR WITH LESS THAN 37,000 MILES SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE TOTAL REWIRING. I PURCHASED AN INSURANCE POLICY TO COVER MY EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS THROUGH SARASOTA FORD. NEITHER COMPANY HAS RETURNED NUMEROUS CALLS AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 40 DAYS AS IT IS STILL AT SARASOTA FORD FOR THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE ASSIST AS THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND PERSONAL HARM. *AK
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 1997 WITH 36000 MILES ON IT ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER I AM APPROACHING 60000 MILES AND IT SEEMS THE CAR IS BREAKING DOWN SURELY THE CAR WAS MADE TO LAST LONGER THAN THIS THE DRIVING THAT HAS BEEN DONE HAS BEEN EASY DRIVING MOSTLY INTERSTATE I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT MY CAR WILL LAST PAST …
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 1997 WITH 36000 MILES ON IT ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER I AM APPROACHING 60000 MILES AND IT SEEMS THE CAR IS BREAKING DOWN SURELY THE CAR WAS MADE TO LAST LONGER THAN THIS THE DRIVING THAT HAS BEEN DONE HAS BEEN EASY DRIVING MOSTLY INTERSTATE I AM ALSO WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT MY CAR WILL LAST PAST THE YEAR 2000 I HAVENT RCVD ANY INFO FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON WHETHER I NEED A NEW COMPUTER FOR THE CAR THIS CAR WAS A BIG INVESTMENT FOR ME AND I STILL OWE 8000.00 DOLLARS ON IT DO I NEED TO LOOK INTO GETTING ANOTHER CAR WITH ALL THE RECALLS ON THE WEB AND THE ONES I HAVE RECVD IN THE MAIL NOT TO MENTION THE CONSTANT ROUGH IDLE ETC. I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER THIS CAR IS WORTH FIXING. *AK
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER DRIVING 2MI AND TURNING ENGINE OFF. THE CAR ENGINE THEN STARTED UP AUTMATICALLY AND BEGAN INTO OTHER CARS WHILE ON FIRE WITH OUT KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR HAD NO PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND WAS NOT RUNNING HOT. *AK
THEY DON'T KNOW WHY MY ENGINE CUTS OUT. I BELIEVE PROBLEM IS LEFT OVER FROM ALL THE WORK THEY DID ON ABS AND CAT. CONVERTER CHANGEOVER. THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY CAR NOW THAT FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. REFUSED TO INSTALL "FLIGHT RECORDER" TO TROUBLESHOOT. DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE SINCE THEY ARE THE CA…
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THEY DON'T KNOW WHY MY ENGINE CUTS OUT. I BELIEVE PROBLEM IS LEFT OVER FROM ALL THE WORK THEY DID ON ABS AND CAT. CONVERTER CHANGEOVER. THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY CAR NOW THAT FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. REFUSED TO INSTALL "FLIGHT RECORDER" TO TROUBLESHOOT. DEALER REFUSED TO OFFER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT NO CHARGE SINCE THEY ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE LH WIRING HARNESS WHEN REPAIRING ABS, LEFT MANY "LOOSE ENDS" ALL OVER THE CAR. *AK
AFTER THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS, MY CAR IS NOW FULL OF ELECTRICAL BUGS THAT THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY. ENGINE STALLS, ETC.
Official recalls
800V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.
98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 18, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Dec 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.
95V232000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Dec 5, 1995
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE OPENING REINFORCEMENT, CONSTRUCTED FROM TWO SEPARATELY MOLDED PIECES, CAN LEAK AT THE WELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES WITH UNITS CONTAINING ONE-PIECE MOLDED REINFORCEMENTS.
95V228000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Dec 4, 1995
CRACKS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT OUTBOARD ANCHOR TABS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT OF THE TAB AND STRESS INTRODUCED DURING ATTACHMENT OF THE ANCHOR TAB TO THE SEAT FRAME. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: A FRACTURE OR SEPARATION IN THIS AREA WOULD REDUCE THE LOAD THAT THE ANCHOR AND THE FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES COULD SUSTAIN, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A VEHICLE COLLISOIN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL AN ANCHOR TAB REINFORCEMENT OR REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IF AN ANCHOR TAB IS FOUND TO HAVE FRACTURED.
95V009000 · Visibility:windshield
Jan 24, 1995
THE GLASS TEMPERING PROCESS ON THE RIGHT HAND REAR DOOR WINDOWS WAS NOT CORRECTLY PERFORMED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE WINDOW BREAKS, THE GLASS FRAGMENTS OF THE REAR WINDOWS EXCEED THE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS NO. 205.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS.
94V203000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Oct 18, 1994
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE OPENING REINFORCEMENT CAN LEAK AT THE WELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, AS APPROPRIATE, REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS.
94V184000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Sep 29, 1994
A METAL SHIELD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL FILLER PIPE CAN DEVELOP A STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARGE DURING REFUELING OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STATIC CHARGE CAN DISCHARGE AND SERVE AS AN IGNITION SOURCE FOR FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OF THE FILLER PIPE, RESULTING IN A FLASH VAPOR IGNITION AND A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY THE VEHICLES BY ADDING A GROUND STRAP BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE SHIELD AND THE BODY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA00005 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Feb 23, 2000 · Closed Nov 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
PE99052 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Aug 18, 1999 · Closed Feb 23, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 18, 1999, BASED ON FOUR REPORTS OF FIRE INVOLVING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN.THE REPORTS ALLEGE THE ELECTRONIC COOLING FAN CAUGHT FIRE WITH RESULTANT DAMAGE TO THE FAN AND WIRE HARNESS AND/OR THE HARNESS CONNECTOR.IN ITS PE RESPONSE, FORD PROVIDED INFORMATION RELEVANT TO 46 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND 47 ALLEGED FAILURES OF THE COOLING FAN INVOLVING THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE FAN.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE.
PE98050 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Sep 14, 1998 · Closed Feb 4, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available