Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway and noticed a smoke smell coming through the vents. He pulled over to the shoulder and vehicle was on fire. Dealership was aware of problem. Prior to recall 00V367, engine was overheating and burning excess oil from overheated piston rings, after recall repairs, there was an internal antifreeze leak that was going into motor oil, engine cooling fans were operating intermittently when engine was hot, dealer found upper radiator hose at water pump had a pinhole leak, engine cooling fan wiring overheated and burned out at fan relay and fan connectors, then consumer received recall 01i009 and had these repairs completed on vehicle, after recall repairs, engine and in-dash wiring overheated and burned, dealer installed recall parts for blower motor again, consumer later informed a new motor was needed due to no compression due to overheating …
I have a Ford Contour 1995 manufactured in 12/94 I have some complaints about my car. There are some recalls out on this vehicle. But there are not list for my Contour VIN # but I have the same problems. My car was taken to the robins Ford delership in glenolden,pa for not starting. After they inspected the vehicle they called me and told me that I have a wiring harness defect that caused it to short circuit my spark plugs. They told me that the wires for this vehicle is out dated and for have been replacing them with updated wires. But they have not issued a recall for my VIN# but it is a known manufacturer defect with this car. I also have some problems that have just started that Ford have recalls on but again not my so called VIN#. My seat belts on this car have been breaking off at the connection tab as well as my defroster not working. Both have recalls on them. …
Consumer was traveling on highway, and vehicle started to overheat. Pulled over to the shoulders, and vehicle cooled down. About 25 minutes later, there was a burning smell inside of vehicle coming through the vents. Also, engine was replaced. The manufacturer had issued recall notice and the vehicle was fixed. Recall # 00v-367.
First the A/C started flooding the passenger compartment. Result the condenser was replaced by plantation Ford, who told me this was a common problem with these vehicles. Then the transmission started lurching in reverse. Result $2000, and again Ford told me this was a common problem with the Contour. Finally the engine quit on the highway, and the head gasket was blown. Much later Ford issue a recall for the cooling fan fuse, aand the wiring harness. Both of which I was not informed about, but had to learn from a mechanic. And when I did take the car to plantation forn they told me they could not tell if the head gaasket was blown because of the cooling fan fuse, and that the engine wiring harness recall had expired at 100,000 making my vehicle ineligible since it had 106,000. …
I had the heater blower fixed under warranty on feb1,2000. On nov 17 2000, I had it replaced again at my own cost. On jan 24, 2001 I had it fixed again. This time I had to replace the fuse box junction panel as well. This has been fixed three time in the last 12 months. Everyone I know who owns a Contour has had this problem. I don't think I should have to pay for a known defect like this. They wouldn't fix it under the recall the last two times because I had over 72000 miles on it and I spent over 300.00 of my money on it the last two times. Thank you for you time
Dash board switch for air conditioner has not worked properly for quite some time. Air (regular or max) does not blow out the dash board vents nor the floor vent - all air blows out of the defrost vents underneath front window. This car was taken to Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership in west palm beach,fl for extensive service June 1998 - the problem has persisted and appears to have never been corrected. Ford dealership, both in west palm and nashville have rechecked and advise there is nothing wrong with the switch (?). Bottom line - it doesn't work.
Driving down interstate, airconditioner went out, smelled something melting, smoke from under hood when opened, told it was air, could drive, blew 2 head gaskets due to cooling system not working, cost over 600$. Fan only runs on high and low. Heater motor going out. Manual transmission slips out of gear while driving. Back doors squeak really loud, and oil don't work. Check engine light on always. Airbag lights on always. Back seat belt broke. Altonator going out. Radiator leaks then stops, leaks then stops. Fan makes a loud noise when running.
Consumer complained regarding heater system. When he had heater on highest setting, there was a burning smell that came from dashboard. Smoke and fumes were so bad that had to stick head out of vehicle. Currently, heater system cannot be turned on to highest settings. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
The EGR valve, EGR gas regulator valve went bad. The shifting sensor went bad causing it to feel like the transmission was slipping. The transmission and engine mount broke causing the engine to vibrate very badly. The A/C compressor locked up causing the belt to brake and stranding my wife and 8 month old daughter.
Engine head gasket blewout without prior warning and vehicle overheated. Also, consumer was traveling on highway and heard a screeching noise, air conditioner went out, and heater motor burned out, there was no heat. She has contacted dealership.
AC & Heater complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 1995 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 1995 Ford Contour, 5% of the model year's 891 complaints. The component named most often is appliance › air conditioner (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Contour ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 1995 Ford Contour, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Contour ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to a/c & heater problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.