1995 Ford Contour
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 893 |
| 1996 | 563 |
| 1997 | 218 |
| 1998 | 846 |
| 1999 | 419 |
| 2000 | 199 |
| 2001 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
30% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 269 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and fan.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN TURNED OFF, A FAINT ODOR OF SOMETHING HOT WAS NOTICED BUT FIGURED THE HEATING FAN MOTOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030514
I PURCHASED CAR 1998 AND NOW I HAD TO GET A ENGINE PUT IN MY CAR. DT
NHTSA ODI report, 20021211
23% of complaints: electrical system — 207 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I BOUGHT A CAR ON AUG O8,2003. IT BROKE DOWN AN HOUR LATER ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO TINKS AND THE MECHANIC RUSS TOLD ME THAT THE WERE 20-30 WIRES THAT NEED TO BE REPLACE AND THAT THE CAR WAS NO GOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030817
15% of complaints: power train — 135 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150720
10% of complaints: suspension — 90 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and springs.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130114
10% of complaints: service brakes — 88 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE OPENING REINFORCEMENT CAN LEAK AT THE WELD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, AS APPROPRIATE, REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS.
Campaign 94V203000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 94V184000 — check if this car was fixed
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 INFLATO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
Campaign 95E006002 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 95V009000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 95V232000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FRA
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.
Campaign 95V228000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 97V225000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE
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 DETERIORAT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
Campaign 98V233000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
BLOWER SWITCH/RESISTOR OR WIRING HARNESS
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 INC
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 1
Campaign 00V367000 — check if this car was fixed
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 V
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
Campaign 01I009000 — check if this car was fixed
INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION
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 BRAN
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 1-800-32
Campaign 06E022000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WIT
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.
Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1995 Ford Contour — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (269 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (207 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (135 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 94V203000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V184000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95E006002 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V009000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V232000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V228000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V225000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V233000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V367000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I009000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E022000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1995 Ford Contour reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1995 Ford Contour is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Ford Contour?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1995 Ford Contour have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.