1995 Ford Contour Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system › Fan
  48
• Engine › Gasoline
  47
• Engine
  42
• Cooling system
  42
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  14
• Cooling system › Radiator assembly
  12

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  18%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  323%
• 75k–100k
  323%
• 100k–150k
  323%
• 150k+
  323%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Contour owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

The car had just been turned off, a faint odor of something hot was noticed but figured the heating fan motor was malfunctioning. Approximately 10 minutes later, the bicknell fire department and police department notified us that the car's engine was on fire. The entire engine compartment was engulfed and totally destroyed every thing in it. ----dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis------769736.

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 …

Engine cooling fan caught fire in 1999 - car under warranty and repaired by dealership. 2 more engine cooling problems in 1999 the most serious problem was when the water pump failed. The engine had to be replaced. In 2002 the engine began overheating and we had to replace the thermostat, other problems encountered were replacement of oxygen sensor and fuel pump due to leakage. In June 2003 car overheating, the cooling fan connection had become disconnected. In July 2003 car overheating, checked by mechanic who noted that there water pump was leaking, recommended dealership repair due to cost. On day one dealership estimated cost of water pump replacement $380.00. Day two dealership calls - head gasket blown and fan belt worn bill now $1100.00. Day three dealership calls - one of the oxygen sensors and another part needs replacing an additional $300-400.00. Total bill $1600.00.

My car has continually to run hot, the part that sends the information the engine for the fan to come on was defective. I took my car to the dealership to try to purchase the part and the dealership told me that this part was a recall part. By this part being defective it has damaged my engine and the dealership told me that my car was over the miles and the recall date was over and they was not going to honor the recall. They told me that I can purchase the part, but they was not going to replace my engine. This part has damaged my engine and they should not only replaced the defective part with not charge, but they should also replace my engine due the defective part. The dealership service center stated that they were only following Ford motor company guidelines.

Cooling fan motor replaced by autopact car service in charlotte nc, but engine still overheated. Car then towed to harrelson Ford in charlotte where I was told engine was "burned up" due to engine cooling fan failure. They recommended engine replacement and components at cost nearly $5000. In 1999, cooling fan ran erradically and required battery to be replaced according to Ford dealership in greensboro, nc. The dealership also replaced engine thermastat. Rather than a thermastat problem, I suspect engine cooling fan was defective and caused damage to engine over time. Despite history of failure, Ford did not make any offer to replace.

Tl 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.

Tl 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 updated 07/30/09.

Consumer attempted to start vehicle, would not turn over. Raised hood of vehicle and tried to restart vehicle. On the second attempt a fire started and was immediately put out by consumer. Insurance company was in possession of vehicle for 2 months, and could not find anything wrong with vehicle. Consumer claimed that a piece of motor that was initially burned, has been replaced. Previously consumer had the water pump and timing belt replaced due to engine stalling, there was also a coolant leak, there is a recall regarding engine fires (00V367).

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Contour years