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 · Jul 5, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
THE ENGINE RPM'S DO NOT DROP FAST ENOUGH TO ENABLE A SMOOTH GEAR CHANGE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW IT HAS 125000 ON IT AND STILL DOES THE SAME THING. THE ENGINE RPM'S DO NOT DROP FAST ENOUGH TO ENABLE A SMOOTH GEAR CHANGE. IF YOU TRY TO CHANGE GEARS BEFORE THE E…
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THE ENGINE RPM'S DO NOT DROP FAST ENOUGH TO ENABLE A SMOOTH GEAR CHANGE. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW IT HAS 125000 ON IT AND STILL DOES THE SAME THING. THE ENGINE RPM'S DO NOT DROP FAST ENOUGH TO ENABLE A SMOOTH GEAR CHANGE. IF YOU TRY TO CHANGE GEARS BEFORE THE ENGINE HAS SLOWED DOWN THE GEARS WILL GRIND. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE CLUTCH IN FOR 3 - 4 SECONDS BEFORE YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE A SMOOTH GEAR CHANGE. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCELERATE UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG IN BETWEEN SHIFTS IT IS HARD TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY AND QUICKLY WHICH CAN GET A PERSON REAR ENDED AROUND HERE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE. ALSO THE HEAT THAT COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD IS VERY HOT, AND HAS CAUSED THE PAINT ON THE HOOD TO START CRACKING. THE ENGINE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED, AND HAS NEVER BEEN ABOVE THE HALFWAY POINT IN THE NORMAL ENGINE OPERATING RANGE (ACCORDING TO THE GUAGE). BUT THE HEAT HAS CAUSED THE PAINT ON THE HOOD TO CRACK. I ALSO RECIEVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPLACED BUT WHEN I CALLED PHIL LONG FORD IN COLORADO SPRINGS I WAS TOLD THAT OUT VEHICLE HAD TO MANY MILES ON IT AND THERFORE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE NEW WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ON THE RECALL NOTICE IT STATES THAT THE FAULTY WIRING HARNESS CAN CAUSE A FIRE, AND IS DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD. FORD HAS STILL REFUSED TO REPLACE IT DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #724960
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
PLASTIC IMPELLER ON WATER PUMP BROKE, CAUSING FAILURE TO PUMP COOLANT, CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANOTHER AUTOMAKER USE A PLATIC IMPELLER WHICH IS INHERENTLY UNSAFE BECAUSE, AS COMPARED TO STEEL IMPELLERS, IT IS BOUND TO BREAK UNDER THE PRESSURE OF YEARS OF USE, AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE …
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PLASTIC IMPELLER ON WATER PUMP BROKE, CAUSING FAILURE TO PUMP COOLANT, CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANOTHER AUTOMAKER USE A PLATIC IMPELLER WHICH IS INHERENTLY UNSAFE BECAUSE, AS COMPARED TO STEEL IMPELLERS, IT IS BOUND TO BREAK UNDER THE PRESSURE OF YEARS OF USE, AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE AND IMPERIL THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGERS.
NHTSA ODI #724070
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A TIRE OR BRAKE CALIPER.DROVE CAR FOR A WEEK.WENT TO DEALER AND WHEN I PULLED IN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. POWER STEERING LINE WAS REPLACED ($600), CAR RELEASED TO ME. DROVE HOME. HEARD METALLIC SOUND AND RETURNED CAR THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS SHEARED BOLTS ON THE REA…
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I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A TIRE OR BRAKE CALIPER.DROVE CAR FOR A WEEK.WENT TO DEALER AND WHEN I PULLED IN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. POWER STEERING LINE WAS REPLACED ($600), CAR RELEASED TO ME. DROVE HOME. HEARD METALLIC SOUND AND RETURNED CAR THE NEXT DAY. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS SHEARED BOLTS ON THE REAR MOUNT. THEY SPECULATED THAT CORROSION STARTED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING IS ALUMINUM AND THE BOLT ARE STEEL.THIS WILL COST ME ANOTHER $600 TO REPAIR. ABOUT A MOTH AGO THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACE. DON'T KNOW IF ANY CONNECTION TO THE LATER PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #724067
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COOLING FAN MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING SMOKE TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE FAN ASSEMBLY AND MOTOR. *ML
NHTSA ODI #863501
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
RECALL 95V223000/ FUEL PIPE: FILLER:NECK. UPON RECEIPT OF THE RECALL, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS NOT AFFECTED. SINCE THAT INSPECTION, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. FORD WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL ( AUGUST 96) BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW A PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863185
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC, COOLING FAN MADE TERRIBLE NOISE AND SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. COOLANT TEMP. QUICKLY ROSE. HAD TO STOP AND LET VEHICLE COOL BEFORE LIMPING HOME WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE COOLING FAN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #723614
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ( 70 MPH ) ENGINE JUST STOPPED . DEALER SAID ENGINE LOCKED UP .WITHOUT WARNING,NO NOISES .*AK
NHTSA ODI #723480
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL OR WHILE DRIVING FUEL LEAKS EXCESSIVELY FROM TANK. DEALER SAYS THAT TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862642
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Suspension
BAD SHOCKS AND STRUTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723309
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
A/C STOPPED COOLING, TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT AND I PULLED OVER. THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THE CAR HAD GOTTEN HOT. NO STEAM, ETC. REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON CAR DONE. *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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