1995 Ford Contour: problems, recalls and reliability
12 recalls and 891 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 891 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. The contact stated a burning odor was emitted from the air vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, where the mechanic stated that the insulation on the wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v367000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 158,140.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted after fifteen minutes and driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that a new transmission sensor was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000. Ma 10/2 updated 11/28/2017*cn”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the contact noticed that the front passenger side tire was flat. The tire was replaced with a spare, which was also punctured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the front driver and passenger side coil spring would have to be replaced as well as the spare tire. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. The contact stated that the vehicle was on while in park when a fuse blew and the vehicle stalled. The dealer informed the contact that the wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. A private mechanic then confirmed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The failure and current mileages were 97,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2011
“I have a 1995 ford contour and just found out all along there was a campaign on the wiring harness in the engine compartment . This is very unsafe and is causing the car to act erratically it is a fire hazard due to the fact the wiring harness is frayed if I touch any of the wires the insulation just falls off what hasn't already fell off. Engine dies and stalls all the time and car is un drivable called ford and they said there was a campaign and recall on wiring harness . But is unavailable now but I could buy one for $1300.00 it has caught small fire due to this. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2010
“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 this car has a defective part? *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle and the steering column began over heating continuously. On several occasions, the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the burning smell; however, the vehicle caught fire. At times, the key was too hot to remove from the ignition. The current and failure mileages were 83000 when the fire occurred.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2009
“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 would not assume responsibility for any repairs because the vehicle was previously repaired according to the recall. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,109. Updated 07/28/09 *bf updated 07/30/09.*jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2009
“This was an "owner notification" or a ford recall (not ordered by the fed gov.) number 99m03, wherein ford replaced under warranty the main wiring harness on 1995 ford contour vehicles. This is a safety issue and has not been performed on this particular vehicle. I purchased the vehicle after the notification to owners expired and wish to have ford stand by their warranty and complete this task under the warranty/recall. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle completely shut off. The contact was not accelerating or decelerating prior to the failure, but maintained the same speed the entire time. All power was lost, including the brakes. The vehicle took approximately two hours to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The ford manufacturer was called and stated that there was a recall, in which the previous owner did not have repaired. The recall date has currently expired and the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The failure mileage was 95,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 39 of these complaints and injuries in 39 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 12 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
A METAL SHIELD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL FILLER PIPE CAN DEVELOP A STATIC ELECTRICAL CHARGE DURING REFUELING OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, MODIFY THE VEHICLES BY ADDING A GROUND STRAP BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE SHIELD AND THE BODY.
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE OPENING REINFORCEMENT CAN LEAK AT THE WELD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, AS APPROPRIATE, REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS.
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.
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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 27, 2005 THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2006 (DATE CODES 0529 THROUGH 0602) ARE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL. WHEN SUBJECT TO VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD LOSE FLEXIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
Remedy: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO MELT.
Remedy: FORD WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF THE VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INFLATOR BODY THAT CRACKED DURING FORMING OF THE CURL THAT RETAINS THE IGNITER PLUG IN THE END OF THE INFLATOR. ALSO THE IGNITER END CAP CAN SEPARATE FROM THE INFLATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
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.
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."
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 FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE OPENING REINFORCEMENT, CONSTRUCTED FROM TWO SEPARATELY MOLDED PIECES, CAN LEAK AT THE WELD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES WITH UNITS CONTAINING ONE-PIECE MOLDED REINFORCEMENTS.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact Contour by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Ford Contour reliable?
NHTSA has 891 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Ford Contour. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Contour problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Ford Contour have open recalls?
12 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.