CarModelProblems.com

1995 Ford Contour Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
891Complaints
12Recalls
39Crashes
65Fires
39Injured
11Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood (7.7% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (01I009000).

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood69 · 7.7%Investigation closedEA01001 → recall 01I009000 · EA01001 → recall 01V230000 · PE00023
Power Train:automatic Transmission63 · 7.1%RecalledRecall 98V233000
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan48 · 5.4%RecalledRecall 00V367000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline47 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 00V367000
Engine And Engine Cooling46 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 00V367000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine42 · 4.7%RecalledRecall 00V367000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE42 · 4.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM42 · 4.7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP36 · 4%
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM35 · 3.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34 · 3.8%

Percentages are the share of the 891 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 12 campaigns

Suspension

NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 06E022000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 00V367000 · 2000 · reported 11/06/2000

OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element

NHTSA campaign 01I009000 · 2001 · reported 07/09/2001

THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 95E006002 · 1995 · reported 02/24/1995

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IF THE IGNITER END CAP SEPARATES IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOT GASES CAN BE RELEASED AND IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL OR CAUSE BURN INJURIES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

NHTSA campaign 95V232000 · 1995 · reported 12/05/1995

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 98V233000 · 1998 · reported 09/18/1998

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

NHTSA campaign 95V228000 · 1995 · reported 12/04/1995

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: A FRACTURE OR SEPARATION IN THIS AREA WOULD REDUCE THE LOAD THAT THE ANCHOR AND THE FRONT SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES COULD SUSTAIN, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A VEHICLE COLLISOIN. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

NHTSA campaign 94V184000 · 1994 · reported 09/29/1994

A STATIC CHARGE CAN DISCHARGE AND SERVE AS AN IGNITION SOURCE FOR FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OF THE FILLER PIPE, RESULTING IN A FLASH VAPOR IGNITION AND A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

NHTSA campaign 94V203000 · 1994 · reported 10/18/1994

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

NHTSA campaign 97V225000 · 1997 · reported 12/08/1997

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield

NHTSA campaign 95V009000 · 1995 · reported 01/24/1995

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE WINDOW BREAKS, THE GLASS FRAGMENTS OF THE REAR WINDOWS EXCEED THE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS NO. 205. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM UNDER THE HOOD.”NHTSA complaint 806196 — filed 12/11/1996 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

180199913232020011145820034813200511162007982009432011212015

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Ford Contour?

Electrical system:wiring:front underhood issues are the most-reported category, cited in 69 of 891 NHTSA complaints (7.7%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (63), engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan (48), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1995 Ford Contour have?

891 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 39 involved a crash, 65 involved a fire, and 39 reported injuries. 11 deaths were reported.

Does the 1995 Ford Contour have any recalls?

Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1995 Ford Contour's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.