IllustrationWHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS AND GOING THROUGH STANDING WATER CONSUMER LOOSES POWER STEERING, THE POWER STEERING BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, A SPLASH GAURD WAS INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. 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
Steering complaints
76 reportsWHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER THERE IS A LOSS OF STEERING FOR A SHORT TIME.HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE NEW.WE ARE OLDER NOW & IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.I READ WHERE YOU HAD HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES.WHEN YOU LOOK UNDER LRIGHT FRONT OF CAR YOU CAN SEE WHY THIS HAPPENS.THE BELT DRIVE PULLEY IS EXPOSED S…
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WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WATER THERE IS A LOSS OF STEERING FOR A SHORT TIME.HAS BEEN THIS WAY SINCE NEW.WE ARE OLDER NOW & IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.I READ WHERE YOU HAD HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES.WHEN YOU LOOK UNDER LRIGHT FRONT OF CAR YOU CAN SEE WHY THIS HAPPENS.THE BELT DRIVE PULLEY IS EXPOSED SO THAT WATER IS SPLASHED ON IT.WONDER HOW MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS THIS HAS CAUSED.*AK
THERMOSTAT GOES UP TO THE RED. THEN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR A WHILE. GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED, WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM. *AK
I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A TIRE OR BRAKE CALIPER.DROVE CAR FOR A WEEK.WENT TO DEALER AND WHEN I PULLED IN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. POWER STEERING LINE WAS REPLACED ($600), CAR RELEASED TO ME. DROVE HOME. HEARD METALLIC SOUND AND RETURNED CAR THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS SHEARED BOLTS ON THE REA…
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I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A TIRE OR BRAKE CALIPER.DROVE CAR FOR A WEEK.WENT TO DEALER AND WHEN I PULLED IN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. POWER STEERING LINE WAS REPLACED ($600), CAR RELEASED TO ME. DROVE HOME. HEARD METALLIC SOUND AND RETURNED CAR THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS SHEARED BOLTS ON THE REAR MOUNT. THEY SPECULATED THAT CORROSION STARTED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING IS ALUMINUM AND THE BOLT ARE STEEL.THIS WILL COST ME ANOTHER $600 TO REPAIR. ABOUT A MOTH AGO THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACE. DON'T KNOW IF ANY CONNECTION TO THE LATER PROBLEMS.
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING WHEEL BECOMING LOOSE. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON LOOSENS EVERY 5 TO 6 MONTHS.I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL DEPT. AND THEY DONT REALLY CARE ABOUT MY PROBLEM.I FEEL THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE.I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A MECHANIC IN THE FAMILY,SO IT DOES…
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I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING WHEEL BECOMING LOOSE. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL ON LOOSENS EVERY 5 TO 6 MONTHS.I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL DEPT. AND THEY DONT REALLY CARE ABOUT MY PROBLEM.I FEEL THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE.I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A MECHANIC IN THE FAMILY,SO IT DOESNT COST ME $300-$400 DALLARS EVERY TIME THIS OCCURS.BUT IT IS STILL A WASTE OF MY TIME AND MY MECHANICS TIME EVERY TIME THIS PROBLEM ARISES. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO LOOKED INTO OR NOT.....THANKS DAWM M BAN. *AK
HAD TO REPLACED BRAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED,INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN LEFT TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT (REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 1996) STEERING WHEEL BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHEN SITTING WITH CAR RUNNING AND IN GEAR MUST PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHTS OR SITTING IN GEAR, SO AS TO NOT GET VIBRATED TO DEATH, MECH-NOT ABL…
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HAD TO REPLACED BRAKES. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED,INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN LEFT TAIL LIGHT GOES OUT (REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE 1996) STEERING WHEEL BOUNCES UP AND DOWN WHEN SITTING WITH CAR RUNNING AND IN GEAR MUST PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHTS OR SITTING IN GEAR, SO AS TO NOT GET VIBRATED TO DEATH, MECH-NOT ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM, JUST THE WAY CAR IS BUILT.
DRIVING THROUGH WET ROADS STEERING WILL LOCK UP, LASTING FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS REPLACED SWAY BAR AND SERPENTINE BELT, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. CAUSE IS STILL UNKNOWN. *AK
DRIVING THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES CAN THROW WATER ON THE DRIVE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. A GAP IN THE FRONT WHEEL WELL LINER ALLOWS THE WATER TO BE THROWN ON THE BELT. THE PROBLEM IS MORE COMMON WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE BELT SLIPS AND ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. IF THE DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH, THE C…
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DRIVING THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES CAN THROW WATER ON THE DRIVE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. A GAP IN THE FRONT WHEEL WELL LINER ALLOWS THE WATER TO BE THROWN ON THE BELT. THE PROBLEM IS MORE COMMON WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE BELT SLIPS AND ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. IF THE DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH, THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. OTHER CONTOUR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS FOR WOMEN AND OLDER PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE ARM STRENGTH TO TURN THE CAR AFTER A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING.
DEFECT CORRECTED AT 28,000 MILES, AND RE-OCCURRED AT APPROX 45,000 MILES. DEFECT CORRECTED AGAIN AT 58,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE ISSUED SEVERAL TSB'S TO DEALERS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM
UNDER WET CONDITION POWER STEERING GOES OUT, CAUSING THE WHEE TOL HAVE TO TURN BACK TO THE NORMAL POSITION MANUALY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
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