The 1995 Ford Contour has 16 recalls, the most serious being three separate fire risks: a fuel filler pipe that can leak fuel near ignition sources, a static charge that can build on the fuel filler pipe during refueling and ignite fuel vapors, and a heater blower resistor that can overheat and melt its connector.
On the engine and cooling side, the cooling fan motor can seize, overheat, and produce smoke and burning odors from inside the motor. On traction control-equipped vehicles, throttle cables can fray or separate and prevent the engine from returning to idle, leaving the driver with an uncontrolled throttle. The automatic transmission gear position indicator can deteriorate if exposed to certain interior cleaning products, causing the shift indicator to show the wrong gear and leading to an unintended gear selection.
Two recalls cover occupant restraint: the front seatbelt outboard anchor tabs can crack or fracture where they attach to the seat frame, reducing the load the belt can handle in a crash. The right rear door glass was not properly tempered, meaning it can break into larger fragments than allowed if the window shatters. Finally, two emissions recalls affect certain vehicles, with 2.5-liter models potentially experiencing catalyst failure that restricts exhaust flow and causes a loss of engine power.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater blower resistor can overheat and cause the electrical connector attached to it to melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new heater blower resistor and wire jumper harness at no charge. Extended warranty coverage provided for 10 years or 150,000 miles from original purchase.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The cooling fan motor bearings can tighten and seize, causing the motor to draw excessive current and overheat. This can produce smoke and odors, and if the current continues, internal components may ignite.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a Positive Temperature Coefficient device in the fan motor circuit to protect against overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cooling fan motor bearings can tighten up, potentially causing the motor to stall. This increases motor torque and current draw, leading to abnormally high motor temperatures.
What the fix does
A positive temperature coefficient device will be installed inline with the fan motor. The cooling fan assembly warranty is extended to 8 years or 100,000 miles from the warranty start date.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain interior cleaning products can damage the automatic transmission floor shifter, causing the gear position indicator to deteriorate and fail to show the correct gear. The shifter still operates, but you may select the wrong gear.
What the fix does
The automatic transmission floor shift control will be replaced with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain interior cleaning products can damage the floor shift automatic transmission control. The gear position indicator may deteriorate and fail to show the actual gear position correctly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The catalyst substrate material in the light-off catalysts can prematurely fail, restricting exhaust gas flow, reducing engine power, and causing exhaust emissions to exceed regulatory limits.
What the fix does
Both left and right light-off catalysts will be replaced. The underbody catalyst will be inspected and replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Throttle cables may have been damaged during assembly, causing fraying or separation that prevents the engine from returning to idle, affecting vehicle control.
What the fix does
The throttle cable will be replaced with a revised design version.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Throttle cables can fray or separate due to damage during assembly, affecting vehicles with traction control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a redesigned version resistant to bending and kinking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hardware that anchors the outboard front seat belts to the seat frames may crack or fracture, reducing the belt's ability to hold during a crash.
What the fix does
Reinforcement plates will be installed on both front belt attachments. If the hardware is fractured, the safety belt will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement is made of two separate molded pieces welded together, and the weld can develop leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly with one containing a single-piece molded reinforcement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt anchor tabs can crack due to material embrittlement and stress from installation, which violates seat belt safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the anchor tabs and install reinforcement or replace the entire front seat belt assembly if cracking is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's exhaust emissions don't meet federal emissions standards.
What the fix does
The powertrain control module will be replaced to bring emissions into compliance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right rear door glass was not properly tempered, which means it does not meet safety standards for vehicle glazing materials.
What the fix does
The right rear door glass will be replaced with properly tempered glass.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right rear door window glass was not properly tempered during manufacturing, which does not meet safety standards for vehicle glazing.
What the fix does
The right rear door glass will be replaced with properly tempered glass.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weld that reinforces the fuel tank's filler pipe opening can develop a leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can build up static electricity during refueling.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the vehicle and add a ground strap between the shield and body if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
