IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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 reportsENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW, CAUSING ENGINE TO WARP. *AK
ORIGINAL OXYGEN GAS SENSOR CAUSING CHECK ENGINE CHECK LIGHT TO COME ON. COST TO FIX $400. LOW COOLANT SENSOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. COST TO FIX $70. THESE SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO CAUSE THESE ITEMS TO MALFUNCTION. THESE ARE MANUFACTURERS' PARTS PROBLEMS. *AK
BOTH FRONT DOORS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN FROM INSIDE. THIS POSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALL OCCUPANTS IF INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE COLLISION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
THE REAR SWAY BAR IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME BY THE DEALER . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
AT ABOUT THE TIME INDICATED PREVIOUSLY, THE PLASTIC STRIP THAT INDICATES WHICH GEAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS SEPARATED. THE BASIC WARRANTY WAS UP, SO I HAD REPAIRS ATTEMPTED BY MY SERVICE AND INSPECTION STATION. THEY DID NOT WORK. OCCASIONALLY THE PIECES BIND SOMEWHAT AND MAKE SHIFTING DIFFICULT. I CANNOT USE THIS STR…
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AT ABOUT THE TIME INDICATED PREVIOUSLY, THE PLASTIC STRIP THAT INDICATES WHICH GEAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS SEPARATED. THE BASIC WARRANTY WAS UP, SO I HAD REPAIRS ATTEMPTED BY MY SERVICE AND INSPECTION STATION. THEY DID NOT WORK. OCCASIONALLY THE PIECES BIND SOMEWHAT AND MAKE SHIFTING DIFFICULT. I CANNOT USE THIS STRIP TO JUDGE WHICH GEAR I AM IN, SINCE IT DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. FORD SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V233000. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT WORTHY OF A RECALL. I NEED TO COUNT GEARS TO KNOW WHICH ONE I AM IN. IF ANYONE ELSE WERE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THEY MIGHT DAMAGE THE CAR OR THEMSELVES BY SELECTING A WRONG GEAR BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE STRIP GAVE THE WRONG INFORMATION. FORD DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER ( WITH ALL KINDS OF "GEE, WE'RE REALLY SORRY, BUT ..."). I HAVE NOT ABUSED THE VEHICLE IN ANY WAY. IT HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED WHILE IN MY POSSESSION. I AM 61 YEARS OLD AND LONG PAST ANY DESIRE TO ABUSE MY VEHICLES. *AK
THE BEZEL FIRST FAILED ON 12/20/95 AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES. THE BEZEL WAS REPLACED ON 01/05/96 AT ABOUT 33,460 MILES. THE REPLACED BEZEL FAILED AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ( 98S26 ) THAT INVOLVES 1994-998 MODEL YEAR CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE ( SEE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. I DID NOT GET THIS NOT…
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THE BEZEL FIRST FAILED ON 12/20/95 AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES. THE BEZEL WAS REPLACED ON 01/05/96 AT ABOUT 33,460 MILES. THE REPLACED BEZEL FAILED AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ( 98S26 ) THAT INVOLVES 1994-998 MODEL YEAR CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE ( SEE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. I DID NOT GET THIS NOTICE. I CHECK WITH THE DEALER , THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND EXPLAIN MY PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE LIST OF RECALLS THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE FAULT. MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYSMPTON AS THE SAFETY RECALL 98S26 (WHICH INVOLVES ABOUT 210,500 VEHICLES FROM 1995 TO 1998). THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DETECTED BY FORD TILL LATE 1998. FROM FORD'S RECALL LETTER IT INDICATED THAT PARTS MANUFACTURE PRIOR TO 08/14/98 WILL MOST LIKELY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM. THE PART IN MY CAR WAS REPLACED ON 01/05/96. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE ONE CANNOT TELL WHICH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER- IT NEEDS A LOT OF EFFORT TO SHIFT FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER. I AM INCLUDING THE SERVICE WORK ORDERS AND THE RECALL DOCUMENTS FROM FORD. *AK
WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THE ENGINES IDLE DOESN'T CHANGE. IT FILLS LIKE THE THROTTLE CABLE IS BINDING. WILL EVEN HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE BRAND OF GAS AFTER SPENDING $70.00 IN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THAT MANUFACTOR POSTED RECALLS…
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WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THE ENGINES IDLE DOESN'T CHANGE. IT FILLS LIKE THE THROTTLE CABLE IS BINDING. WILL EVEN HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE BRAND OF GAS AFTER SPENDING $70.00 IN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH FOUND THAT MANUFACTOR POSTED RECALLS FOR CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SAME MANUFACTOR DATE. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CARS INVOLVED. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHAT BOTHERS ME MORE THAN ANYTHING IS THERE INABILITY TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO GET HURT BEFORE THE REAL PROBLEM IS FOUND
IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER & EXHAUST MANIFOLDS, THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH & STALLS AFTER START-UP UNTIL 15-20 MINUTES
THROTTLE CABLE FAILED. MJS
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