These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.
Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.
Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.
The full record
Tap to open
What owners complain about
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Seller kit
Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points
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Walk up to the seller ready
Questions to ask the seller of a 1995 Ford Contour, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.
Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.
Write your offer
A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email
Car Hunt Pass or Pro
Send the seller a fair offer
Type the asking price and your own offer for the 1995 Ford Contour, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.
Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.
When problems show up
Loading mileage at failure
Will it outlast the loan?
The month of your loan each problem zone lands in
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Recalls
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Crash ratings
NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight. The tests changed for 2011 models, so these stars do not line up with newer ones.
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Fuel economy
The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in. Figures for 2007 and older use the EPA's 2008 method, so they may be lower than the original sticker.
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True cost to own
The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years
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What it really costs to own
What the 1995 Ford Contour costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.
Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.
Every year of the Contour
Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.
Loading every year of this model
Before you buy this one
Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.
Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.
Suspension
Apr 14, 2008 · Recall 08E033000
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 vehicles listed above.
What can happen
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. This may result in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The 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.
Brakes
Mar 13, 2006 · Recall 06E022000
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 manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. When subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.
What can happen
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.
The 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 1-800-323-0354.
Windows, wipers and visibility
Jul 9, 2001 · Recall 01I009000
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 melt.
What can happen
This could create the potential for a fire.
The 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 heater blower resistor and a new wire jumper harness free of charge.
Engine
Nov 6, 2000 · Recall 00V367000
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 accompanying high motor temperatures.
What can happen
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 applied to the motor, internal motor components could ignite possibly igniting other engine compartment components.
The 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 100,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle already has more than 100,000 miles, this coverage will last until july 31, 2001.
Transmission and drivetrain
Sep 18, 1998 · Recall 98V233000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. The gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.
What can happen
This condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
The fix
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
Cruise and speed control
Dec 8, 1997 · Recall 97V225000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the traction control option. The throttle cables were damaged during vehicle assembly leading to fraying or separation of the throttle cable.
What can happen
This condition could prevent the engine from returning to idle.
The fix
Dealers will replace the throttle cable with a revised design that is less susceptible to bending or kinking during installation.
Show 6 more recallsShow fewer recalls
Fuel system
Dec 5, 1995 · Recall 95V232000
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement, constructed from two separately molded pieces, can leak at the weld.
What can happen
Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the fuel tank assemblies with units containing one-piece molded reinforcements.
Seat belts
Dec 4, 1995 · Recall 95V228000
Cracks have been found in the front safety belt outboard anchor tabs due to a combination of hydrogen embrittlement of the tab and stress introduced during attachment of the anchor tab to the seat frame. This does not conform with the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
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.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and install an anchor tab reinforcement or replacement of the complete front seat belt assembly if an anchor tab is found to have fractured.
Air bags
Feb 24, 1995 · Recall 95E006002
The passenger side air bag has an inflator body that cracked during forming of the curl that retains the igniter plug in the end of the inflator. Also the igniter end cap can separate from the inflator.
What can happen
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.
The fix
Dealers will remove and replace the passenger side air bag module.
Windows, wipers and visibility
Jan 24, 1995 · Recall 95V009000
The glass tempering process on the right hand rear door windows was not correctly performed. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 205, "glazing materials."
What can happen
Consequence of non-compliance: if the window breaks, the glass fragments of the rear windows exceed the size specifications of fmvss no. 205.
The fix
Dealers will replace the right rear door glass.
Fuel system
Oct 18, 1994 · Recall 94V203000
The fuel tank filler pipe opening reinforcement can leak at the weld.
What can happen
Fuel leakage can result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and, as appropriate, replace the fuel tanks.
Fuel system
Sep 29, 1994 · Recall 94V184000
A metal shield on the outside of the plastic fuel filler pipe can develop a static electrical charge during refueling of the vehicle.
What can happen
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.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, modify the vehicles by adding a ground strap between the filler pipe shield and the body.
1,073 complaints; the part named most is the engine
Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Sep 4, 1994 to Jul 20, 2015. 36% name a part that is usually costly to fix.
Owners reported 42 crashes, 68 fires, 46 injuries and 11 deaths in these complaints.
Engine247 · 23%Usually costly to fix
Electrical191 · 18%
Transmission and drivetrain134 · 12%Usually costly to fix
What one owner wrote about the engine
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 the wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was…
Filed Oct 8, 2013NHTSA complaint 10547229Fire reported1 of 18 owner quotes
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15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes
Every part owners name for the 1995 Ford Contour, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Body and frame.
Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.
5 checks, with a close look at the engine
The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 57 complaints of 1,073 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.
Transmission and drivetrainCostly50,000 to 90,000 mi
Half of these 17 complaints came between about 50,000 and 90,000 miles, the middle one around 65,000.
050K100K150K200K250K
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Mileage for 2 more parts, 1 usually costly
The mileage band for every part owners name, and your car's miles laid across them.
Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 12 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the engine. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look hard at the engine. It is usually costly to fix.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the engine.
Start it cold if you can. Listen for knocking or ticking, and watch for warning lights and smoke.
1995 Ford Contour: problems, recalls, verdict · WhipWorthy
Year verdict
Maybe
2.2× a typical year
More owner complaints than usual. Buy only with records and an inspection.
Confidence: Medium
Close to the Pass line, so a few complaints either way could tip it.
NHTSA did not answer for 24 years, so this may change.
How the dial was counted
Year verdict: Typical year: 381 complaints, the median of 5 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 1994; this one had 845.
Same car, better year: 1996 or 1997 Contour (both Worthy)
