IllustrationREGARDING NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: SB039188, IT IS NOT THE SPARE TIRE. BOTH MY CAR AND MY MOTHERS CAR HAVE THE SAME THUNKING SOUND AND WE COMPLETELY EMPTIED THE TRUNKS TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS NEAR THE REAR FUEL FILLER AREA.
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 reportsTHROTTLE CONTROL CABLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ONCE, BUT THE CABLE IS STILL DEFECTIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY THIS TIME. *AK
SPEEDOMETER CABLE BROKE, EMERGENCY BRAKE FROZE UP. MJS
RECALL CAMPAIGN 96E60 10/97 REPLACED CATALYST ON THIS VEHICLE, PRESENT CARBON BUILD UP IN INTAKE EGR RUNNERS BELIEVED STEMMED FROM THIS CATALYST FAILURE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY RECALL IN 10/97. BECAUSE CARBON BUILD UP NOT REMOVED AT RECALL, EMISSION SYSTEMS COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED NOW
HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 08-AUG-99, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WIRING MELTED AND BURNED, CAUSING A SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE. METAL IS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
SINCE I PURCHASED THE 95 FORD CONTOUR I HAVE HAD ABOUT ONE GOOD YEAR OF USE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAIN CENSOR AND NOW THE GEARS ARE SLIPPING FROM FIRST TO SECOND ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BECAUSE THIS CAR IS USED I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE I HAVE TO MANUALLY SHIFT…
Read full complaint
SINCE I PURCHASED THE 95 FORD CONTOUR I HAVE HAD ABOUT ONE GOOD YEAR OF USE. LAST YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE MAIN CENSOR AND NOW THE GEARS ARE SLIPPING FROM FIRST TO SECOND ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. BECAUSE THIS CAR IS USED I AM NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE I HAVE TO MANUALLY SHIFT IT AND IF I LET IT SHIFT ON IT'S OWN IT HESITATES WHICH COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE CAR COLLISION. IT UNEXPECTEDLY BURSTS INTO TRAFFIC AND DRAGS AT TIMES. I HAVE PROBABLY HAD THIS CAR LAYED UP AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. I CAN GET HELP FROM NOONE BECAUSE I'M A SECOND OWNER AND OVER THE WARRANTY LIMIT EVEN THOUGH 22,000 MILES OF THE WARRANTYWAS PUT ON BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I MAY HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD GREAT HARDSHIP BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS OF THIS CAR.
THE TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FRONT KNUCKLE , RESULTING IN HITTING OTHER PARKED VEHICLE, DAMAGES TO VEHICLES COSTED $3,564.03 *AK
DASH BOARD SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONER HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AIR (REGULAR OR MAX) DOES NOT BLOW OUT THE DASH BOARD VENTS NOR THE FLOOR VENT - ALL AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENTS UNDERNEATH FRONT WINDOW. THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN WEST PALM BEACH,FL FOR EXTENSIVE SERVICE J…
Read full complaint
DASH BOARD SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONER HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AIR (REGULAR OR MAX) DOES NOT BLOW OUT THE DASH BOARD VENTS NOR THE FLOOR VENT - ALL AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE DEFROST VENTS UNDERNEATH FRONT WINDOW. THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN WEST PALM BEACH,FL FOR EXTENSIVE SERVICE JUNE 1998 - THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED AND APPEARS TO HAVE NEVER BEEN CORRECTED. FORD DEALERSHIP, BOTH IN WEST PALM AND NASHVILLE HAVE RECHECKED AND ADVISE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SWITCH (?). BOTTOM LINE - IT DOESN'T WORK.
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