Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 …
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.
Had to replaced brakes. Headlights dim when brake is pressed,interior lights stay on when left tail light goes out (replaced 4 times since 1996) steering wheel bounces up and down when sitting with car running and in gear must put car in neutral at stop lights or sitting in gear, so as to not get vibrated to death, mech-not able to fix problem, just the way car is built.
Headlight covers are now greenish color and significantly dims the headlights. New light bulbs do not help. In rain and rural areas, lighting range is so decreased, speed has to be reduced. No accidents at this time. I feel this is significant and the materials the headlight covers are disingrating and impairing night visibility.
Headlight plastic is becoming cloudy and does not permit the headlights to illuminate the road. The vechile was taken to a Ford dealer who said the repair was $400.00 and not a recall item. This is a safety defect that could lead to numerous deaths and injury. Ford needs to replace these defective items at no charge.
While driving and with no warning headlight lens will fog up, distracting consumer's view, making it hard for consumer to see during night hours. Dealer notified. Consumer states both headlight lenses are clouded not fogged and the headlights do not shine as bright, the headlight is made of plastic not glass.
Consumer noticed that the headlights were clouded from the inside. While driving at night consumer was not able to see due to headlight clouding. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the headlight lenses needed to be replaced. The lenses were replaced.
I have a 1995 Ford Contour. My headlight lenses are getting so cloudy I can hardly see when my headlights are on. I think this is a safty issue. Replacements cost $98.00 for each side. Is there any recourse or any recall on the lens. I believe this is a defective product.
Poor performance on the head light can not see the road in the dark. Ttwhen meetimg traffic unable to see the roads adjustment is not the problem, the manufacturer put a shield over the bulb that will not allow the light to shine bright it is a design flaw.
The headlamp assembly is not performing. Significant haze on the lenses has reduced light output to dangerously low levels. Parts are integral to the automobile [not customer replaceable].
Headlight complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Ford Contour, 3% of the model year's 891 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Contour headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.