IllustrationCONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 50-55MPH , AVEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AT A STOP LIGHT, AND WHEN TAKING OFF. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES. INSURANCE COMPANY NEVER SAID WHAT CAUSED FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED
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
What owners actually said
891 reportsREAR BUCKLES CAME OFF, AND CAN'T FASTEN SEATBELTS.*AK
ELECTRICAL DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF PARKING LIGHT ON PASSENEGR'S SIDE, AND AIRBAG LIGHT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
ENGINE COOLING FAN SHUTDOWN, RENDERING ENGINE INOPERABLE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE. *AK
1.) REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS; 2.) FRONTAL TORSION BAR HAD TO BE REPLACED; 3.) AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL HAS A RATTLE NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL, AND 4.) AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND MADE ALL REPAIRS EXCEPT RATTLE IN AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL, AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT THA…
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1.) REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS; 2.) FRONTAL TORSION BAR HAD TO BE REPLACED; 3.) AIR BAG IN STEERING WHEEL HAS A RATTLE NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL, AND 4.) AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND MADE ALL REPAIRS EXCEPT RATTLE IN AIR BAG ON STEERING WHEEL, AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT THAT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR. VEHICLE HAD REQUIRED LARGE AMOUNTS OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON COOLING FAN. QUESTIONED DEALER IF RECALL HAD ANYTHNG TO DO WITH GASKET BLOWING. DEALER SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RELAT…
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HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR. VEHICLE HAD REQUIRED LARGE AMOUNTS OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON COOLING FAN. QUESTIONED DEALER IF RECALL HAD ANYTHNG TO DO WITH GASKET BLOWING. DEALER SAID THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RELATIONSHIP. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO SPARK PLUG ASSEMBLY FAILURE AND ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILURE. *YH
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLING VEHICLE . RECALL 00 V367 000/ COOLING VAN HAS BEEN ISSUED. *AK *SLC
CONSUMER CONTACTED FT MILL FORD FOR RECALL00V367000/ COOLING FAN SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DEALER HAS NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS IN TIMELY MANNER . IN MEANTIME CONSUMER IS DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM STARTED TO ACT UP, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE INSIDE VEHICLE STARTED TO REACH THE OVERHEATING AREA, AND THEN ENGINE BLEW. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND GALLONS OF WATER AND ANTIFREEZ…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM STARTED TO ACT UP, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE INSIDE VEHICLE STARTED TO REACH THE OVERHEATING AREA, AND THEN ENGINE BLEW. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK THERMOSTAT HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND GALLONS OF WATER AND ANTIFREEZE HAD BEEN PUT INTO THE RADIATOR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURED. *YH
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