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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 →

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

Parking Brake complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AFTER VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP, WOULD RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKES. REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD STICK AFTER BEING RELEASED. WATER WAS GETTING INTO CABLES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC A NEW CALIPER, WHICH WAS REDESIGNED, WOULD BE NEEDED ALONG WITH BRAKE…

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EMERGENCY BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS COLD. AFTER VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP, WOULD RELEASE EMERGENCY BRAKES. REAR DISC BRAKES WOULD STICK AFTER BEING RELEASED. WATER WAS GETTING INTO CABLES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP,AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC A NEW CALIPER, WHICH WAS REDESIGNED, WOULD BE NEEDED ALONG WITH BRAKE CABLES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #884020

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineParking BrakeSuspension

GAS SENSOR FAILED EARLY ON, HAD IT FIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, HAD THAT FIXED. NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, ONE FRONT BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILISER BAR. CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALE…

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GAS SENSOR FAILED EARLY ON, HAD IT FIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, HAD THAT FIXED. NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, ONE FRONT BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILISER BAR. CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR "VERIFICATION PURPOSES" UNFORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE POSES A DANGER DUE TO A LOOSE SPRING IN THE BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY "GROSSE POINTE AUTOWORKS" LOCATED 1/2 BLOCK OFF MY HOUSE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. DEALERSHIPS ARE CA 9+ MILES AWAY AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONSUMER FRIENDLY WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THEM. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO RECOURSE REGARDING THE IRRESPONSIVE FORD MOTOR CO.

NHTSA ODI #733673

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1999
Parking BrakePower TrainSuspension

SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKE, EMERGENCY BRAKE FROZE UP. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548088

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 1999
Parking Brake

THE PARKING BRAKE STICK AND CAUSES THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS TO FAIL WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ARE RESET BY RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS ACTIVATED, CAUSING SHARP APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES DURING ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED AT 45 MPH ON THE FREEWAY DRUING…

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THE PARKING BRAKE STICK AND CAUSES THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS TO FAIL WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ARE RESET BY RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE TRACTION CONTROL HAS ACTIVATED, CAUSING SHARP APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES DURING ACCELERATION FOR NO REASON. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED AT 45 MPH ON THE FREEWAY DRUING A SNOW STORM AND THE SECOND OCCURED AT 25 MPH ON A SIDE ROAD DURING A SNOW STORM. PARKING BRAKE ONLY APPEARS TO STICK IN CASES WHERE THE CAR IS WARM AND SITS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE STICKING AND THE FAILURE OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE FAILURE OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL HAS HAPPENED ON BETTER THAN THAN FIVE OCCASIONS, THE SLAMMING ON OF THE BRAKES CAUSED BY THE BRAKES STICKING HAS HAPPENED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #704226

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1998
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

1: IN COLD WEATHER, PARKING BRAKE WILLN'T RELEASE THUS DRAGS TIRES. 2: CALIPERS DON'T FULLY DISENGAGE; NOTICABLE DRAGGING (WEATHER NOT FACTOR) 3: DEALER RELUCTANT TO ASSIST.

NHTSA ODI #701553

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1998
Parking Brake

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE REAR BRAKES TO PREMATURELY WEAR.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #831217

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1998
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

ABS SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #533653

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineParking Brake

THE BOOT AROUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #521442

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1996
Parking Brake

IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS THE PAKRING BRAKE WILL STAY ENGAGED, CAUSING THE TAIL LIGHTS TO STAY ILLUMINATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #805173

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1996
Parking Brake

THE EMEREGENCY BRAKE CABLE WILL NOT HOLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #982787

Official recalls

8

00V367000 · 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.

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.

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

7

RQ02006 · 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