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 28, 2000
Power Train
WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS 1995 FORD CONTOUR LX IN 1997, IT WAS AN ALMOST NEW CAR. THEN IT ROLLED OVER THE 36,000 MI. MARK AND THINGS STARTED TO BREAK. THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS FIRST. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I HAVE BEEN TO FIX IT AT AN AUTHORISED FORD SHOP AN IT IS IF THEY TURN IT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS T…
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WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS 1995 FORD CONTOUR LX IN 1997, IT WAS AN ALMOST NEW CAR. THEN IT ROLLED OVER THE 36,000 MI. MARK AND THINGS STARTED TO BREAK. THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS FIRST. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I HAVE BEEN TO FIX IT AT AN AUTHORISED FORD SHOP AN IT IS IF THEY TURN IT OFF FOR A FEW DAYS TO PASIFY ME. IT COMES ON A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL WITH ABOUT 4 DIFFERENT RECALLS AND WERE TAKEN CARE OF, THEN I LOOK IN YOU GUYS WEB PAGE AND FIND OTHEWR RECALLS. CAN YOU GUYS SEND ME A LIST OF ALL THE RECALLS ON THESE TYPES OF FORD CARS SO I CAN GET ALL OF THIS TAKEN CARE OF??*AK
NHTSA ODI #735307
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Power Train
VEHICLE IS MAKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, MAKES NOISES IN GEAR AND WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, DEALER CLAIMED THEY REPAIRED THE PROBLEMS BUT SOON AFTER REPAIR THE PROBLEM REOCCURED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #557045
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2000
Tires
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P185/70R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/70R14 )
NHTSA ODI #735121
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
A HOSE BROKE ON THE RADIATOR DRAINING VEHICLE OF ALL FLUID AND RUINING THE ENGINE, NONE OF THE GAUGES INDICATED ANY INTERNAL FAILURE, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #556226
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Electrical System
THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 3 WELL KNOWN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THEN THE PROBLEM IS THERE. UNLESS THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE IT'S IN THE SHOP NO ONE CAN SEEM TO LOCATE ANY PROBLEM. BUT…
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THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN 10 TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 3 WELL KNOWN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS, AND NO ONE CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS, THEN THE PROBLEM IS THERE. UNLESS THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE IT'S IN THE SHOP NO ONE CAN SEEM TO LOCATE ANY PROBLEM. BUT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT I CAN ONLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 25 MILES BEFORE IT STALLS AGAIN. WE THEN HAVE TO REMOVE THE BATTERY AND RECHARGE, AND THE VEHICLE WILL WORK AGAIN. THEN DRIVE FOR ABOUT 25 MILES, AND IT STALLS AGAIN. THIS, AS I SAID, HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES WITHIN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR 4 DAYS DURING THIS TIME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, AS NOW I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA FORD RECALL, AND I FEEL LILKE MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN THE WIRING COMPONENTS. THANK YOU SINCERELY!!!
NHTSA ODI #734157
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2000
SuspensionInjury
BROKEN SPRING-FRONT SPRING HAS EXTENED WARRANTY BACK DOESNT
NHTSA ODI #733723
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineParking BrakeSuspension
GAS SENSOR FAILED EARLY ON, HAD IT FIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, HAD THAT FIXED. NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, ONE FRONT BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILISER BAR. CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALE…
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GAS SENSOR FAILED EARLY ON, HAD IT FIXED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, HAD THAT FIXED. NOW BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN, ONE FRONT BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILISER BAR. CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR "VERIFICATION PURPOSES" UNFORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE POSES A DANGER DUE TO A LOOSE SPRING IN THE BACK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY "GROSSE POINTE AUTOWORKS" LOCATED 1/2 BLOCK OFF MY HOUSE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. DEALERSHIPS ARE CA 9+ MILES AWAY AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CONSUMER FRIENDLY WHEN I HAVE CONTACTED THEM. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO RECOURSE REGARDING THE IRRESPONSIVE FORD MOTOR CO.
NHTSA ODI #733673
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THERMOSTAT GOES UP TO THE RED. THEN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR A WHILE. GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED, WIRING HARNESS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #872198
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
COOLING FAN MOTOR REPLACED BY AUTOPACT CAR SERVICE IN CHARLOTTE NC, BUT ENGINE STILL OVERHEATED. CAR THEN TOWED TO HARRELSON FORD IN CHARLOTTE WHERE I WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS "BURNED UP" DUE TO ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE. THEY RECOMMENDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND COMPONENTS AT COST NEARLY $5000. IN 1999, COOLING FAN RAN ERRADICALLY AN…
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COOLING FAN MOTOR REPLACED BY AUTOPACT CAR SERVICE IN CHARLOTTE NC, BUT ENGINE STILL OVERHEATED. CAR THEN TOWED TO HARRELSON FORD IN CHARLOTTE WHERE I WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS "BURNED UP" DUE TO ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE. THEY RECOMMENDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND COMPONENTS AT COST NEARLY $5000. IN 1999, COOLING FAN RAN ERRADICALLY AND REQUIRED BATTERY TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN GREENSBORO, NC. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ENGINE THERMASTAT. RATHER THAN A THERMASTAT PROBLEM, I SUSPECT ENGINE COOLING FAN WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENGINE OVER TIME. DESPITE HISTORY OF FAILURE, FORD DID NOT MAKE ANY OFFER TO REPLACE.
NHTSA ODI #733066
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE NOW GREENISH COLOR AND SIGNIFICANTLY DIMS THE HEADLIGHTS. NEW LIGHT BULBS DO NOT HELP. IN RAIN AND RURAL AREAS, LIGHTING RANGE IS SO DECREASED, SPEED HAS TO BE REDUCED. NO ACCIDENTS AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE MATERIALS THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE DISINGRATING AND IMPAIRING NIGHT VISIBIL…
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HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE NOW GREENISH COLOR AND SIGNIFICANTLY DIMS THE HEADLIGHTS. NEW LIGHT BULBS DO NOT HELP. IN RAIN AND RURAL AREAS, LIGHTING RANGE IS SO DECREASED, SPEED HAS TO BE REDUCED. NO ACCIDENTS AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE MATERIALS THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE DISINGRATING AND IMPAIRING NIGHT VISIBILITY.*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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