IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING FAN BELT MADE CONTACT WITH WATER, FAN BELT SLIPPED OFF, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, AN D ISSUED A TSB. ALSO, FRONT END ASSEMBLY DRIVE BELT NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
224 reportsTHEY 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
BRAKES: WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING & BRAKES ARE IN USE,THEY WOULD MAKE SCRUBBING NOISES. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS. GEAR PLACEMENT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHEN IT HAPPENS. HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VEHICLE RUNS HOT. RADI…
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BRAKES: WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING & BRAKES ARE IN USE,THEY WOULD MAKE SCRUBBING NOISES. HAVE TAKEN TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS. GEAR PLACEMENT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHEN IT HAPPENS. HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION REPLACED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VEHICLE RUNS HOT. RADIATOR MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. *AK
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION IN MY CAR FROM WHEN I PICKED IT UP. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE STOPPED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SHAKING TERRIBLY. AFTER HAVING IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH CONTOURS AND DID NOT PURSUE IT ANY FURTHER. I HAVE NOW BEEN T…
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I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION IN MY CAR FROM WHEN I PICKED IT UP. I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL WHILE STOPPED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SHAKING TERRIBLY. AFTER HAVING IT IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH CONTOURS AND DID NOT PURSUE IT ANY FURTHER. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET ALONG WITH A REBUILT ENGINE. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF ALL THE VIBRATION IN THE CAR WEAKENED THE SEAL CAUSING LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 65,000 MILES, IS MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND HAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, FORD MOTORS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR AUTO COMPLAINTS, WBZ CALL FOR ACTION, AND THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY IN WASHINGTON, DC ON THIS MATTER. THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAVE SHORT OF HIRING AN ATTORNEY, IS TO FILE COMPLAINT FORMS, WHICH I HAVE DONE. I'M BEGINNING TO SEE A PATTERN BY FORD TO MAKE AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND THEN NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR DEFECTS. I DON'T FEEL THIS IS FAIR TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS LITTLE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $3000 (OF WHICH I DON'T HAVE) TO GET MY CAR BACK IN WORKING ORDER. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE FOR CUSTOMERS LIKE ME OR IS IT "TOO BAD. YOU'RE STUCK WITH IT"?
FUEL TANK REPLACED DUE TO RECALL NOTICE (#95S30), HOWEVER REPLACEMENT TANK FAILED DUE TO SAME DEFECT.
ENGINE BEARING FAILED RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.
AT 37,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN, CAUSING THE WATER PUMP TO LEAK/ENGINE NOT COOL. HEATER ALSO FAILED TO WORK, HEATER MOTOR REPLACED AT 3,000 MILES. *AK *ML
CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT IS WRONG YET.
MADE A LITTLE NOISE AT START-UP/HAD WOBBLY ROUGH FEEL/ CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE DEPT. SINCE OCT.21/REQUESTS TO SEE VEHICLE WERE DENIED /SNEAKED IN BEHIND DEALERSHIP TONIGHT AFTER WORK/CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY BROKEN DOWN FOR INSPECTION &REBUILD /I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH WITH SPOTLIGHT AND THE OILPAN HAS BEEN REMOVED/PHANTOM PARTS CAN'T BE …
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MADE A LITTLE NOISE AT START-UP/HAD WOBBLY ROUGH FEEL/ CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE DEPT. SINCE OCT.21/REQUESTS TO SEE VEHICLE WERE DENIED /SNEAKED IN BEHIND DEALERSHIP TONIGHT AFTER WORK/CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY BROKEN DOWN FOR INSPECTION &REBUILD /I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH WITH SPOTLIGHT AND THE OILPAN HAS BEEN REMOVED/PHANTOM PARTS CAN'T BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN U.S. ACCORDING TO SERVICE DEPT./AM TOLD A DIFFERENT STORY EACH WEEK/ CAN ANYONE HELP ME?
SENSOR HAS GONE OUT TWICE AND CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY, WAS INFORMED BY SOME MECHANICS THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH EXHAUST, OR MAYBE TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE THERE'S A DELAY IN CHANGING SPEED IF I ACCELERATE OR DECREASE SPEED
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