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
What owners actually said
891 reports
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2000
Suspension
I HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UNDER FRONT END AND FOUND A BROKEN PIECE OF SPRING HANGING NEAR BOTTOM OF STRUT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ESTIMATE WAS $275.00 FOR NEW SPRINGS AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SPRINGS WERE ON BACK ORDER AT SEVERAL DEALERS, SEEMS TO BE A HARD TO COME BY I…
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I HEARD A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOOKED UNDER FRONT END AND FOUND A BROKEN PIECE OF SPRING HANGING NEAR BOTTOM OF STRUT TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ESTIMATE WAS $275.00 FOR NEW SPRINGS AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. SPRINGS WERE ON BACK ORDER AT SEVERAL DEALERS, SEEMS TO BE A HARD TO COME BY ITEM AS SO MANY ARE BROKEN THAT I HAVE SEEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #723138
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Power Train
GEAR INDICATOR BROKE. YH
NHTSA ODI #552280
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Suspension
SERVICE BULLETIN ON STABILIZER BAR ISSUED IN 1996. PROBLEM EXISTED SINCE 40,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722745
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Power Train
SINCE AN INITIAL VISIT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE AN "OUT OF BALANCE TIRE" PROBLEM THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 6 NEW FORD FACTORY REPLACEMENT AXLES IN THE FRONT PASSANGER SIDE AND 2 ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AROUND TOWN BECAUSE AXLES WILL LET GO WITHOUT WARNING. THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DE…
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SINCE AN INITIAL VISIT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE AN "OUT OF BALANCE TIRE" PROBLEM THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 6 NEW FORD FACTORY REPLACEMENT AXLES IN THE FRONT PASSANGER SIDE AND 2 ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND AROUND TOWN BECAUSE AXLES WILL LET GO WITHOUT WARNING. THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE LAST YEAR AND HAS COME UP WITH NO CAUSE FOR THE REPEATED FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO HAD TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO WORK DONE BY THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH RUINED THE LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER. I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WARRANTEE THROUGH FORD WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON THE PROBLEM AS OF MAY 15TH 2000. NO RESOLUTION IS IN SITE THAT I CAN SEE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A FORD DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722699
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2000
Seat Belts
REAR SEATBELTS ARE NOT OPERABLE. SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM *AK.ET.
NHTSA ODI #861727
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
EA00005, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE FLAMES CAME OUT, STARTING A FIRE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861389
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Steering
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
NHTSA ODI #722218
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN DRIVING SMELLED GAS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED GAS TANK FUEL FILLER NECK. DEALER REPLACED FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861255
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineCrashFire
A REAR END IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH CAUSED THE REAR END TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861141
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE RACES IN WARMER WEATHER (65 AND UP) AT STARTUP AND WHEN IDILING AT STOPS, AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE BUCKS AND WANTS TO TAKE OFF, DEALER HAS RESET THE COMPUTER CODES, REPLACED THE COMPUTER CONTROLS AND CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT NONE OF THIS HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE. NLM
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1995 Ford Contour Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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