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 · Jul 2, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 50 MPH. THE CAR SLIPPED IN AND OUT OF DRIVE. THIS RESULTED IN A RAPID DECELLERATION, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATLY BEHIND ME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE CAR IN THAT DAY AS THERE REGULAR TRANSMISSION PERSON WAS OFF. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR AND MUCH TO MY AMAZ…
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WHILE DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 50 MPH. THE CAR SLIPPED IN AND OUT OF DRIVE. THIS RESULTED IN A RAPID DECELLERATION, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATLY BEHIND ME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE CAR IN THAT DAY AS THERE REGULAR TRANSMISSION PERSON WAS OFF. I CONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR AND MUCH TO MY AMAZEMENT THE CAR SEEMED TO SKIP FAR LESS IF I ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE SHIFT CHANGING WOULD ONLY HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS,IE 50 MPH. MY CONCERN IS I WAS NOT OFFERED A CLEAR EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE, JUST CHARGED AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT TO OVERHAUL THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION! PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA ODI #708162
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BREK EPADS AND DISCS WEAR DOWN QUICKLY. HAD TO REPLACE THEM EVERY 10K MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #708037
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 1999
Suspension
THE STABILIZER BAR AND PINS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. ALSO DEALER STATES THAT THEY SALE MANY STABILIZER BARS FOR THIS CAR YEAR PARTICULARLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707936
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A GAS LEAK AT THE JOINT OF THE FUEL PIPE AND GAS TANK CREATING A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON MANY 95 CONTOURS DUE TO DEFECTIVE GAS TANK ASSEMBLIES. I TOOK OUR VEHICLE DOWN TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HE CALLED ME WITH A…
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THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A GAS LEAK AT THE JOINT OF THE FUEL PIPE AND GAS TANK CREATING A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON MANY 95 CONTOURS DUE TO DEFECTIVE GAS TANK ASSEMBLIES. I TOOK OUR VEHICLE DOWN TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HE CALLED ME WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $578 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO HELP AND THAT I WOULD HERE FROM THE DEALER WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. I RECEIVED NO CALL. I THEN CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE A SECOND TIME ONLY TO BE TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THERE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE ORIGINAL 36000 WARRANTY AND THAT IT WAS "BLACK AND WHITE" THAT I HAVE NO COVERAGE UNDER FORD AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY!! THIS WAS NOT VERY REASSURING AN I EXPLAINED WHAT A SAFETY ISSUE A LEAKING GAS TANK POSSESSED NOT ONLY TO MY FAMILY BUT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS A WHOLE. I ALSO ASSERTED THAT A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT FAIL ESPECIALLY ON A WELL MAINTANED CAR WITH UNDER 50000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS HAD TO BE A FAULTY COMPONENT AND THAT FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT EVEN IF IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AFTER ALL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT FORD WOULD WANT TO COVER THIS AS A SAFETY AND LOYAL CUSTOMER ISSUE. INSTEAD I RAN INTO A VIRTUAL BRICK WALL AFTER CONTACTING FORD THE SECOND TIME. THE PERSON SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER DIRECTLY AND SEE WHAT I COULD WORK OUT. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT HOMER HELLER FORD IN ESCONDIDO, HE WAS VERY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING AND SAID THAT HE WOULD CALL FORD AND TRY TO WORK OUT A COMPROMISE. HE WAS ABLE TO GET FORD TO LOWER THE PRICE OF A NEW GAS TANK ASSEMBLY FROM $278 DOWN TO $50 BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ALL THE LABOR (APPROX. $270) THIS WAS A NICE GESTURE AND WAS CERTAINLY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL NEARLY $600 ESTIMATE. STILL I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE COVERED 100%. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707883
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Suspension
RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS DOES NOT COVER BACK COIL SPRINGS WHICH WERE RUSTED AND BROKEN (INADEQUATE RECALL)(98M04). MJS
NHTSA ODI #546257
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Suspension
THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, WHICH MAY CAUSE A TIRE BLOWOUT AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRING, BUT NOT FOR THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #839915
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Suspension
SWAY BAR BROKE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, MAKING IT UNSAFE WHEN TURNING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #839856
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE COOLING FAN CAUGHT FIRE AND IGNITED WIRES IN THE ENGINE AT LOW SPEEDS AFTER LESS THAN 10 MILES OF DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #707475
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE STOPPING VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND KEPT GOING FORWARD UNTIL OCCUPANT PLACED VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. REPLACED PARTS IN VEHICLE. BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838880
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE 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
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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