Most common 1995 Ford Contour problems
Share of the 891 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Contour complaints by model year
Best Contour years: 2000, 1997, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1998. Compare all years →
1995 Ford Contour recalls (8)
Engine and engine cooling
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…
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…
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
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.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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.
Visibility › Windshield
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.
Show 2 more recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 7 possible defects involving the 1995 Ford Contour:
Various intermittent electrical issues
There is no summary currently available
Incorrect gear indication
There is no summary currently available
Engine cooling fan fires
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…
Front suspension coil spring failure
There is no summary currently available
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Blower switch/resistor or wiring harness
There is no summary currently available
Engine cooling fan fires
There is no summary currently available
What 1995 Ford Contour owners say
Engine & cooling all 225 →
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 insulation on the wiring harness melted. The mechanic replaced the thermostat, radiator, oxygen sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter. The failure continued. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 00V367000 (engine and engine cooling) that May be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 2/23/12
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.
Electrical system all 180 →
Experienced transmission issues, with intermittent rough shifting and intermittent failures to engage in drive or reverse. It mysteriously started to run fine for several days. One morning I drove a short distance for an appointment. Upon returning and starting the car I noticed smoke exiting the left side of the engine compartment. I turned of the vehicle and inspected the engine compartment, and I could still see some smoke coming from the left-rear part of the engine compartment. After this incident, several of the vehicle's electrical functions failed, including park/brake shift interlock, heater fan, backup lights, directional flashers. Following the incident, the transmission issues have resumed. Upon inspection, I noticed several wires had cracking insulation, and some even had bare wire exposed.
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.
Transmission & drivetrain all 126 →
Experienced transmission issues, with intermittent rough shifting and intermittent failures to engage in drive or reverse. It mysteriously started to run fine for several days. One morning I drove a short distance for an appointment. Upon returning and starting the car I noticed smoke exiting the left side of the engine compartment. I turned of the vehicle and inspected the engine compartment, and I could still see some smoke coming from the left-rear part of the engine compartment. After this incident, several of the vehicle's electrical functions failed, including park/brake shift interlock, heater fan, backup lights, directional flashers. Following the incident, the transmission issues have resumed. Upon inspection, I noticed several wires had cracking insulation, and some even had bare wire exposed.
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
1995 Ford Contour engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Ford Contour a good car?
Based on 891 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 Contour rates avoid: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the Contour at the same age. It is one of the Contour years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Ford Contour?
The engine & cooling — 225 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › fan. Next are the electrical system (180) and transmission & drivetrain (126).
How many recalls does the 1995 Ford Contour have?
There are 8 recalls for the 1995 Ford Contour, the most recent from November 6, 2000 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Contour?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 1997 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1998. See the full Ford Contour years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Contour problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.