IllustrationEA00005, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE FLAMES CAME OUT, STARTING A FIRE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. *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
Electrical System complaints
180 reportsTRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER , TOTALLING $1200. CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THERE IS STILL NO TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS BRAKES. CURRENTLY, DEALER INDICATED THAT CONSUMER NEEDED WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO COMPUTER. A MECHANIC SAID IT …
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TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER. THEY SAID CONSUMER NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER , TOTALLING $1200. CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED, AND THERE IS STILL NO TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS BRAKES. CURRENTLY, DEALER INDICATED THAT CONSUMER NEEDED WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO COMPUTER. A MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR CARS THAT WATER GETS IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND SHORTS OUT THE COMPUTER. ALSO,CONSUMER SAID IF BRAKING IN SKID CAR WOULD KEEP GOING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING SMELLED AN AWFULL SMELL LIKE WIRES BURNING. BLOWER/ HEATER, AND AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. CONSUMER SPOKE TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. *AK
BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS PUT IN WRONG, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURED, INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOW ALL THE DETAILED PROBLEMS, BUT I HAVE A RECEIPT FROM MY MECHANIC WITH EVERYTHING LISTED. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED THROUGH IT AT AN ODD ANGLE. I …
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BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS PUT IN WRONG, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURED, INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOW ALL THE DETAILED PROBLEMS, BUT I HAVE A RECEIPT FROM MY MECHANIC WITH EVERYTHING LISTED. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED THROUGH IT AT AN ODD ANGLE. I ALSO HAVE A FAX FROM FORD THAT WAS SENT TO MY MECHANIC REGARDING WARNINGS OF THE AXLE BEING INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. YOU MAY CONTACT MY MECHANIC FOR ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED. HIS NAME IS KEN FOWLER, THE OWNER OF A-1 TRANSMISSIONS IN LUBBOCK, TX. HIS PHONE NUMBER IS 806-792-4319.
TWO OTHER VEHICLES EXHIBIT SAME DEFECTAS 95 CONTOUR VIN [XXX] AND 95 MERCURY MYSTIQUE 2.5 VIN [XXX]. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) STATED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE HEATER AND AC FAN FIRST FAILED AT 34,000 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAN MOTOR (UNDER HOOD) AND FAN CONTROLS (UNDER DASH) WERE BOTH "CHARED". THE SAME ROUTINE OCCURED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 60 AND 80 000 MILES. THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS A NEW REPAIR KIT FOR THIS DEFECT ONLY SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANT…
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THE HEATER AND AC FAN FIRST FAILED AT 34,000 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAN MOTOR (UNDER HOOD) AND FAN CONTROLS (UNDER DASH) WERE BOTH "CHARED". THE SAME ROUTINE OCCURED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 60 AND 80 000 MILES. THAT TIME THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS A NEW REPAIR KIT FOR THIS DEFECT ONLY SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DID.. THIS FALL THE FAN QUIT AGAIN. ALMOST THE SAME TIME WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD ANNOUNCING A RECALL FOR THE HEATER WIRING. AFTER INSTALLING THE COMPONENTS THE DEALER SAID THE FAN STARTED THEN QUIT. CHECKING THEIR WORK THE DECIDED EVERYTHING WAS CORRECT SO THEY CHASED THE WIRES BACK TO THE FUSE BOX. THERE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG UNTIL THEY PULLED THE FUSE BOX AND THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE WAS CHARRED. WHEN I THINK OF THE NUMBER OF TIME I BROUGHT GAS FOR MY LAWNMOWER HOME IN THE CAT IT FRIGHTENS ME. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A REAL FIRE. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM JUST NOT FOUND UNTIL NOW.
REAR DOORS CREAK VERY LOUDLY - HAVE TO APPLY OIL MONTHLY, ENGINE CONSTANTLY RUNS HOT - HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED, OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR -VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS BOTH TIMES, WINDSHIELD MOLDING SHIFTING OUT OF PLACE, HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPEATEDLY,…
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REAR DOORS CREAK VERY LOUDLY - HAVE TO APPLY OIL MONTHLY, ENGINE CONSTANTLY RUNS HOT - HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED, OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR -VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS BOTH TIMES, WINDSHIELD MOLDING SHIFTING OUT OF PLACE, HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPEATEDLY, GAS SPILLS OUT OF NECK OF TANK WHEN REFUELING. SEATBELT COVER ON DOOR PANEL POPS OFF ON DRIVER SIDE AND BROKE OFF ON PASSENGER SIDE. OFF
1) THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH/ROLLER DIAL CAUSED A SHORT AT 45,000 MILES AND MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS IN TOTAL HAVE BEEN OUT EVER SINCE. 2) THE REAR/BACK SEAT RESTRAINT BELT ON THE RIGHT SIDE NO LONGER RETRACTS INTO THE HOUSING. 3) THE BACKSEAT RESTRAINT HOUSING IN THE SEAT HAS COME APART MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FASTEN THE BELT 4) THE GA…
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1) THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH/ROLLER DIAL CAUSED A SHORT AT 45,000 MILES AND MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS IN TOTAL HAVE BEEN OUT EVER SINCE. 2) THE REAR/BACK SEAT RESTRAINT BELT ON THE RIGHT SIDE NO LONGER RETRACTS INTO THE HOUSING. 3) THE BACKSEAT RESTRAINT HOUSING IN THE SEAT HAS COME APART MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FASTEN THE BELT 4) THE GAS CAP RELEASE LEVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR DOES NOT FUNCTION(DOES NOT OPEN GAS TANK)THE GAS CAP HAS TO BE OPENED BY OPENING THE TRUNK AND PULLING THE MANUAL CORD.
(1) DUAL ELECTRIC RADIATOR FANS COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON - MAY (2) WATER PUMP FAILED. PLASTIC IMPELLER CRUMBLED AT FINGER PRESSURE (3) SMELLS OF GAS, WHEN LOW ON GAS (4) CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING RESTRICTION (5) POWER LOSS INCLUDING POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVEN THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE OR IN HEAVY RAIN.
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