Summary
The Ford Contour has 32 recalls spanning the 1995–2000 production run, with the most serious being a fuel filler pipe defect on 1995 models where a metal shield on the outside of the plastic filler pipe can build up a static charge during refueling and ignite fuel vapors, causing a flash fire.
The 1995 model year carries the heaviest share of recalls. Beyond the static discharge fire risk, the fuel filler pipe weld on 1995 vehicles can leak at the joint, also creating a fire hazard near the tank. On 1995 models with the traction control option, the throttle cable can fray or separate, preventing the engine from returning to idle and making the vehicle difficult to control. The cooling fan motor on 1995 models with the 2.5L V6 can seize its bearings, overheat, and produce smoke from inside the motor. The heater blower resistor on 1995–1997 vehicles can also overheat and melt the surrounding electrical connector, raising a fire risk inside the cabin. Also on 1995 models, the front seatbelt anchor tabs can crack at the seat frame attachment point, reducing how much load the belt can handle in a crash. On 1995 automatic transmission models, the gear position indicator can deteriorate if exposed to certain interior cleaning products, causing the driver to select the wrong gear.
The 1996 model year has its own fuel concern: the fuel filler vent hose can become brittle and crack, leaking fuel during fill-ups. A separate 1996 recall covers bi-fuel compressed natural gas variants, where a damaged fuel line in a collision can allow natural gas to escape near an ignition source. The headlight switch on 1996 vehicles can overheat at its wiring connector, disrupting the instrument panel lights, parking lamps, and taillights.
On 1998 models, the front coil springs, particularly on vehicles registered in northern salt-belt states and Canadian provinces, can corrode and fracture, with a broken spring potentially contacting a front tire and deflating it. Separately, 1998 vehicles have an airbag sensor wiring pigtail that can crack as its insulation becomes brittle near radiator heat, disabling the airbag system. The 1999 model year has a fire risk specific to bi-fuel vehicles, where the fuel tank filler pipe grommet can be damaged during conversion, allowing fuel to leak. A separate 1999 issue involves the ignition key being removable without the transmission being in park, which can allow unintended vehicle movement.
The 2000 model year has two recalls: a brake booster and master cylinder mismatch that can reduce braking performance if the system is subsequently serviced with mismatched parts, and an incorrect child safety lock label on the rear door that may lead a driver to believe the lock is engaged when it is not.
