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 · Oct 10, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOISE AND DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOWEVER NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY, DEALER STATED NOISE WAS DUE TO PULLEY THAT HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED, RECALL 00V367, REGARDING THE FAN MOTOR, CAUSED THE PULLEY TO RUST AND CORRODE, THEREFORE CAUSING THE NOISE, VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AND DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE…
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VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOISE AND DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOWEVER NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY, DEALER STATED NOISE WAS DUE TO PULLEY THAT HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED, RECALL 00V367, REGARDING THE FAN MOTOR, CAUSED THE PULLEY TO RUST AND CORRODE, THEREFORE CAUSING THE NOISE, VEHICLE HAD OVERHEATED AND DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND MANY OTHER COMPONENTS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT, CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #563680
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS ALWAYS WARM AND HOT TO TOUCH.
NHTSA ODI #9004690
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Electrical System
I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE LATEST IS THE INSULATING COATING ON THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD IS CRACKED AND BREAKING OFF. THIS IS CAUSING NUMEROUS ENGINE CODES. THESE SHORTS ARE CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE HIWAY AND NOT RESTART. I WAS NOTIFIED OF FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER THE CAR HAD ALREADY…
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I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE LATEST IS THE INSULATING COATING ON THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD IS CRACKED AND BREAKING OFF. THIS IS CAUSING NUMEROUS ENGINE CODES. THESE SHORTS ARE CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE HIWAY AND NOT RESTART. I WAS NOTIFIED OF FORD'S EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER THE CAR HAD ALREADY PASSED THE MILEAGE THAT THEY OFFERED. I CAN NOT DRIVE OR SELL THE CAR AS IS. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A NHTSA RECALL YET, I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OF THESE CARS EVEN CATCHING ON FIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #752868
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY FULLY. AS A RESULT, DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896873
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Power Train
ORANGE LETTERING FOR FLOOR SHIFT LEVER CAN NO LONGER BE READ, AND DOES NOT SHOW GEAR THAT VEHICLE IS IN. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V233000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896068
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLUCTUATED WILDLY, THEN IT REGISTERED ZERO. TEN SECONDS LATER THE CAR'S DRIVEABLITY WENT DOWN DUE TO THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER RECEIVING ZERO SPEED INPUT: LIMITED ACCELLERATION, NO CRUISE CONTROL, ETC. END RESULT: BOTH SPEED CABLE AND SPEED CONTROL SENSOR BROKEN; CONNECTION PIN FROM TRANSMISSION TO SENSOR STUCK …
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SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLUCTUATED WILDLY, THEN IT REGISTERED ZERO. TEN SECONDS LATER THE CAR'S DRIVEABLITY WENT DOWN DUE TO THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER RECEIVING ZERO SPEED INPUT: LIMITED ACCELLERATION, NO CRUISE CONTROL, ETC. END RESULT: BOTH SPEED CABLE AND SPEED CONTROL SENSOR BROKEN; CONNECTION PIN FROM TRANSMISSION TO SENSOR STUCK OR SNAPPED --> WILL NEED TO DROP TRANSMISSION AND TEAR IT OPEN JUST TO GET AT A $25 PART!*AK
NHTSA ODI #751801
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT DUE TO RECALL 00S44 HE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN HIS VEHICLE, AT THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN HAD BEEN CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE, 1500 MILES LATER CONSUMER ASKED THE SAME SERVICE MANAGER HOW THE COOLING FAN COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT THE MOTOR RUNNING AND HE INFORMED CONSUMER…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT DUE TO RECALL 00S44 HE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN HIS VEHICLE, AT THE DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN HAD BEEN CHECKED AND IT WAS FINE, 1500 MILES LATER CONSUMER ASKED THE SAME SERVICE MANAGER HOW THE COOLING FAN COULD BE CHECKED WITHOUT THE MOTOR RUNNING AND HE INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #562877
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 · Sep 1, 2001
Suspension
REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS 7/15/2000. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT IS BROKEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751521
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2001
Suspension
BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE ALLOWING THE BODY TO LOWER SO THAT THE TIRES WERE ALMOST AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS. IF THEY HAD CONTACTED EACHOTHER WHILE DRIVING, IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO THE TIRES, OR THE CAR'S STEERING COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD CONTOURS …
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BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE ALLOWING THE BODY TO LOWER SO THAT THE TIRES WERE ALMOST AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS. IF THEY HAD CONTACTED EACHOTHER WHILE DRIVING, IMMEDIATE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO THE TIRES, OR THE CAR'S STEERING COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD CONTOURS AND THAT THOUGH FORD EXTENDED THE WARRENTY PERIOD ON THE FRONT SPRINGS DUE TO BREAKAGE, THEY REFUSE TO DO SO WITH THEB REAR SPRINGS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO ADDRESS IT BEFORE SOMEBODY IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.*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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