Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the front driver and passenger side coil spring would have to be replaced as well as the spare tire. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
The car has always run hot and I have had the compressor fixed and a month later I know have a burnt out blower motor that seems to be a common problem. I never was notified about the recall and than was told I missed the cut off date to file for a repair, bottom line I wasnt covered. I also brought my car in a day before my warranty was up and they didnt honor it, I was told it was too late.
The vehicle experienced a severe steering problem due to a broken spring. Mechanic found all four springs were broken. The mechanic stated all four springs appeared to have been broken for a long time. The car is only used on paved roads.
In 2002, rear spring broke on her 1995 Ford Contour. We were unaware of the breakage, until a repair shop fixing the car for another problem informed us. We took the car to a local tire shop and they replaced the rear spring. Now, sept. 8, 2004 when taking our 1995 Ford Contour to the shop for noise and difficulty driving, we find that the front spring had broken. We were advised to have the car towed, not driven to a local tire/front end shop for replacement. After getting suspicious, I checked the internet and found out that other people have had trouble with springs breaking on their Ford Contour. This Ford Contour had less than 60,000 miles. I called the local Ford shop and was informed that we could bring the vehicle to them for replacement. At that point, our car had already been disassembled and the bad spring replaced. …
I own a 1995 Ford Contour se, 2.5l v6, with a manual transmision. I am a memeber of a car enthusiasts club called the Contour enthusiasts group. After reading a post in the web site about boken rear springs I thought that maybe the noise I had been hearing coming from the rear of my car might be that my springs were broke. Upon inspection I found both the right and left rear springs to be broken in almost the same exact spot. I have yet to remove them but they look to be broken atleast a full revalution up the spring. I have never had a car that the springs broke on. And from what I have been reading on the ceg website it seems to be a very common problem. I feel this could be a very dangerous situation if these were to fail while driving and cut down a tire. …
I have a 1995 Ford Contour and I paid over $16,000.00 for it. I have had nothing but trouble since I got this car. I have 50,888 miles and the transmission has been replaced 2 times and worked on 4 times. Water pump went out, air went out all wiring covers has crumbled off leaving exposed wires to start a fire and much more. I have been treated like I was a child and didn't know any better with the dealership and Ford motor company. I now have a car that I can't drive because it is a fire hazard. I want something done to my satisfaction. I know they quit making the 1995 Ford Contour because there were so many manufacturer problems. I am now told they can't get parts to fix the car and I can't trade it in on another one. I am a female and I am tired of the treatment I'm receiving from Ford. My car has always been serviced at a Ford dealership. …
All 4 coil springs have broken. Ford campaign 98m04 covers the front coil springs for 2.0l engine vehicles. There is no recall or extended warranty campaign for the rear springs. The dealer and their Ford service rep cannot explain why my 2.5l engine vehicle is not covered under 98m04, though the same defective steel is used in both. I have researched front and rear coil spring failures for my vehicle on the internet and discovered a very significant number of 1995 Contour/mystique owners have complained of both front and rear coil spring failures. These owners, not covered under 98m04, have received no satisfaction from Ford motor company. My dealer has reported very little cooperation from Ford motor company while investigating my vehicle's coil spring problem.
Gas sensor failed early on, had it fixed. Shortly thereafter the emergency brake failed, had that fixed. Now both rear springs have broken, one front bearing has been replaced and there might be a problem with front stabiliser bar. Contacted Ford this morning and was informed that I would have to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer for "verification purposes" unfortunately the vehicle poses a danger due to a loose spring in the back. The vehicle has been maintained by "grosse pointe autoworks" located 1/2 block off my house since the day I bought it. Dealerships are ca 9+ miles away and have never been consumer friendly when I have contacted them. Please advise as to recourse regarding the irresponsive Ford motor co.
Both rear springs broke allowing the body to lower so that the tires were almost against the wheel wells. If they had contacted eachother while driving, immediate catastrophic damage could have occurred to the tires, or the car's steering could have been affected. I understand that this is a common occurrence with Ford contours and that though Ford extended the warrenty period on the front springs due to breakage, they refuse to do so with theb rear springs. This is a very serious problem and Ford should be made to address it before somebody is seriously injured.
My coil spring on the right side (rear) broken. Ford has a recall for the front coil spring. I took it to the Ford dealership and they said that there wasn't nothing they could do about it because they can only fix the front coil spring if it was broken then they will have to fix all of them. But since it was my back that had broken they can't do nothing about it and that it is a general maintaince problem that I have to fix. I took my car to 4 different repais shops and they said the rear coil spring broken is common in these types of cars.
NHTSA investigations
Front suspension coil spring failure
There is no summary currently available
Suspension complaints in other Contour years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1995 Ford Contour?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the suspension of the 1995 Ford Contour, 9% of the model year's 891 complaints. The component named most often is front › springs › coil springs (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Contour suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.