Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,073 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Contour, and it carries 12 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 201 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 142 | 13% |
| Power train | 99 | 9% |
| Suspension | 81 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 72 | 7% |
| Steering | 66 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 59 | 5% |
| Air bags | 38 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 3% |
| Visibility | 31 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 PUN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON WHILE IN PARK WHEN A FUSE BLEW AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO B
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD WAS FRACTURING FROM THE PLASTIC COVERING AND THE WIRES WERE TOUCHING WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE A 1995 FORD CONTOUR AND JUST FOUND OUT ALL ALONG THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN ON THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT . THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IS CAUSING THE CAR TO ACT ERRATICALLY IT IS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DEFECTIVE. THE PLASTIC COVERING THE WIRES IS CRACKED AND PEELING OFF IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO OCCASIONALLY BRAKE FOR NO REASON AND TO KICK AND SPUTTER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 1995 Ford Contour. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS
Risk: 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
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT BRAKE CYLINDERS FOR CERTAIN FORD, DAIMLERCHRYSLER, AND JEEP PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE BRAKE CYLINDERS WERE SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF NAPA, RAYBESTOS, AIMCO, AC DELCO, CARQUEST, BENDIX, AND WAGNER. ONLY PRODUCTS THAT WERE
Risk: 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.
Fix: AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-32
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND AC
Risk: 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. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 1
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1997 FORD CONTOUR AND MERCURY MYSTIQUE VEHICLES. THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR COULD OVERHEAT CAUSING THE ATTACHED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO ME
Risk: THIS COULD CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Fix: FORD WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH FOR 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OF THE VEHICLE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,073 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 201 of them (19%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.