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1995 Ford ContourProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 891 owner complaints about the 1995 Ford Contour, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Contour median · #1 of 6 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints891134 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage88kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1995 Ford Contour has problems

891 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling22432
Electrical system18034
Power train1264
Fuel system, gasoline834
Suspension832
Steering762
Service brakes, hydraulic726
Air bags4423
Seat belts433
14 other systems21122

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1995 Ford Contour recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 00V-367 · Nov 6, 2000 · 262,559 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 95V-228 · Dec 4, 1995 · 229,500 vehicles

Risk. 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,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 95V-009 · Jan 24, 1995 · 2,512 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE WINDOW BREAKS, THE GLASS FRAGMENTS OF THE REAR WINDOWS EXCEED THE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS NO.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 94V-184 · Sep 29, 1994 · 8,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

11 owners mentioned a cost

$1,600median

Middle half: $325 – $2,700

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1995 vs. every other Contour year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Contour median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1995 Ford Contour safety ratings

1995 Ford Contour 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1995 Ford Contour, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA00005 · closed Nov 9, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-367
  2. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSEA01001 · closed Jul 31, 2001
    Led to recall 01I009000
  3. BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESSPE00023 · closed Jan 5, 2001
    No recall
  4. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILUREPE98050 · closed Feb 4, 1999
    No recall
  5. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE99052 · closed Feb 23, 2000
    No recall
  6. INCORRECT GEAR INDICATIONRQ02006 · closed Sep 12, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-233
  7. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUESRQ99019 · closed Mar 7, 2001
    Led to recall 99V-243
In owners' words

What Contour owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A BURNING ODOR BEGAN TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…
Complaint 10419680 · Aug 16, 2011 · 100,000 miles
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1995 FORD CONTOUR AND I NOTICED ITS BEEN SMOKING THE MECHANIC KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG OR THEY CANT DETECT A PROBLEM. I NOTICED THIS MODEL CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS. COULD THIS USED CAR BE AFFECTED BY A FAULTY PART AND CAN I QUALIFY FOR A RECALL PART REPAIR IF…
Complaint 10331894 · May 24, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V367000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN 2004. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE FAN MOTORS HAVE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO MELT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY…
Complaint 10274718 · Jun 23, 2009 · 58,109 miles

Own a 1995 Contour?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.