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 · Sep 21, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED LEAK AT POINT WHERE FILLER NECK CONNECTS TO TANK. THIS APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V203000 AND RELATED TO 95V232000. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX STATING THAT THE RECALLS CITED DO NOT APPLY TO MY VIN. IT APPEARS THAT THEY DID NOT ESTABLISH THE RECALL BROADLY ENOUGH TO COVER ALL AFF…
Read full complaint
FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED LEAK AT POINT WHERE FILLER NECK CONNECTS TO TANK. THIS APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V203000 AND RELATED TO 95V232000. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX STATING THAT THE RECALLS CITED DO NOT APPLY TO MY VIN. IT APPEARS THAT THEY DID NOT ESTABLISH THE RECALL BROADLY ENOUGH TO COVER ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #732150
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Structure
LOSS STERRING WHEN SUBFRAME WELD SEPERATED
NHTSA ODI #730595
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868385
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
COOLING FAN SHORTED OUT - NOTICED THICH BLACK SMOKE - FIRE DEPT DETERMINED FIRE ORIGINATED FROM COOLING FAN MOTOR SHORTING OUT
NHTSA ODI #728741
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #728707
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Power Train
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 98V233000. WHEN SHIFTING IN FOWARD IT ACTUALLY IS IN REVERSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868177
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
AIR CONDITIONER HOSE IS ROUTED AGAINST THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE, CAUSING IT TO GET HOT AND BURN A HOLE THROUGH THE BRAKE HOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868013
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
EquipmentFire
BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK; A WHILE BACK, SMELLED LIKE A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURED
NHTSA ODI #728006
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Structure
BOTH REARS DOORS SQUEAK, HAVE TRIED WD40;MACHINE OIL;SILICON LUBRICANT, VERY LOUD
NHTSA ODI #728005
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
STOPPED@STORE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING (THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT), DROVE HOME, NOTICED SAME SMELL, OPENED HOOD AND NOTICED FAN WAS SMOKING, DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN SINCE. - FORD REALLY NEEDS TO RECALL THE FAN.
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