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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2007
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts

1995 FORD CONTOUR REAR DOORS DO NOT HAVE CHILD LOCKS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE REAR DOORS DO NOT HAVE CHILD LOCKS AND HER CHILD CAN OPEN THE BACK DOOR WHEN IT IS LOCKED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD TIGHT ENOUGH. *JB UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE DRIVER'S DOOR DIDN'T OPEN WHEN THE MASTER LOCK IS ON.…

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1995 FORD CONTOUR REAR DOORS DO NOT HAVE CHILD LOCKS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE REAR DOORS DO NOT HAVE CHILD LOCKS AND HER CHILD CAN OPEN THE BACK DOOR WHEN IT IS LOCKED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT HOLD TIGHT ENOUGH. *JB UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB THE DRIVER'S DOOR DIDN'T OPEN WHEN THE MASTER LOCK IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10202606

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2004
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts

HVAC FAN UNDER DASH ON PASSENGERS SIDE HAS A SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING TO THE FUSE BOX UNDER DASH ON DRIVERS SIDE. COULD OPEN AND CLOSE FUSE BOX TO GET FAN TO WORK THEN STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. REAR SEAT BELT LOCKS ALL FELL APART. PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062178

50,000 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts

BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. REAR SEATBELTS HAVE FALLEN APART. HVAC FAN MOTOR DOESN'T WORK. ALSO, FAN MOTOR RELAY FAILS.

NHTSA ODI #10040886

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILS TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. CONSUMER AFRAID IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WOULD BECOME TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETE…

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DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILS TO ROLL UP OR DOWN. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM INSIDE. CONSUMER AFRAID IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WOULD BECOME TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8018782

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. FORD REFUSES TO HELP N ANY WAY. THIS CAN CAUSE UNTOLD PROBLEMS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756716

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

CANNOT RELEASE LOCKS.DANGEROUS IN COLLISION /FIRE WE NO LONGER LOCK OUR CAR DOORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #751570

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

ALL FOUR MAUAL DOOR LOCKS WHEN LOCKED WILL NOT UNLOCK, PREVENTING ALL/ ANY OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE FROM WINDOW OR AFTER KICKING ON DOOR LOCKS WOULD UNLATCH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN DOOR LATCHES. DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE A…

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ALL FOUR MAUAL DOOR LOCKS WHEN LOCKED WILL NOT UNLOCK, PREVENTING ALL/ ANY OCCUPANTS FROM EXITING VEHICLE. CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE FROM WINDOW OR AFTER KICKING ON DOOR LOCKS WOULD UNLATCH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN DOOR LATCHES. DOOR LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880344

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages

BOTH FRONT DOORS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN FROM INSIDE. THIS POSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALL OCCUPANTS IF INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854392

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1998
Latches/locks/linkages

REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #536631

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1997
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibilityInjury

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH WHEN THE HOOD FLEW OPEN . CONSUMER STOPPED PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND THE WINDSHEILD HAD SHATTERED. THE HOOD IS BENT, THE FRONT TOP OF ROOF HAS CAVED IN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #816179

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